The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-21
At st. Paul Theaters

Two of Americas foremost Shake
spearean actors presented Shakespeares
best acting tragedy, "Othello," at the
Metropolitan last night. Louis James
appeared in the title role and Frederick
Warde, played Iago The audience was
not as large as the performance mer-
tied Possibly the lovers of Shakespeare
don't believe in Sunday night perform
ances. 1t is well known fact that the
actors regard Sunday night shows as
barbarisms.
Those who did not attend the pres
entation of "Othello" last night missed
an uncommonly brilliant Interpretation
Of that tragedy. Mr.. James and Mr..
Warde betray familiarity with
Shakespearean verse that their few
competitors do not approach. They
speak the lines with an emphasis that
Eliminates them. 1t is pleasure to
listen to either.
Othello's task is, from an elocution-
airy and physical standpoint, more ex-
dec1amatory and passionate speeches,
couched in the extravagant and hyper
bolic language. characteristic of
his tropical nature. None but
an artist can deliver these
speeches effectively without be-
ing accused of ranting. That Mr.. James
accomplishes this difficult feat is
tribute to his art
The play opens, as presented by
Messrs James and Warde, in the SEN
ate chamber, and almost before the
audience is seated, Othello has begun
oI0 ct
grave and reVerent SeignorS." 1t is &C
cordingly delivered under a disadvan-
tage, lacking atmosphere and motive,
except for the ShakeSpearean student.
But as the play progresses there is
| no other serious omission. Mr.. James
! invariably rises when climax is de-
! manded as in the scene in which
Othello quells the midnight brawl and
discharges Michael Cassio whom he
| loves. Mr.. James eXceled in this
| scene. in which he emphasized the gen.
erous and lofty side of Othello's char
acter, his love for Cassie, and his
| poignant regret at CasSio's serious
| lapse from duty.
| So too in the dramatic colloquies
| between Othello and Iago in the great
| third act, Mr.. James and Mr.. Warde
| achieved a notable triumph Both were
imbued with the spirit of this mastery
phases to every word, and both merited
| the triple recall that rewarded them
/ at the end of this remarkable act-the
| greatest embodiment of intense dia-
logue that the stage possesses.
| James eXcelled in the delivery of
| the speeches beginning eff I do prove
| her haggard." Had it pleased heaven"
and the final adjuration, Soft you, a
word or two before you 60" Gifted
| urith ma unifioonf uOioQ and fine
! eye, both of which he employs with
undeniable power he is well nigh: an
| ideal Othello. His equal in the role is
not now before the American public,
/ and has not been for at least two de-
cades.
| Mr.. Warde sends every word of Iago
| home. Very swift and contentious"
are this supersubtle Venetians COM
ments on the weakness of human ma
| ture. Their grim humor and sardonic
! flavor are surely impaired by the vary
| ing tones of the actors voice-unmis-
| taxable denotements of his apprecia-
| ton and interpretative faculty. With
| the exception of Hamlet, no character
| creation of Shakespeare is so de-
| pendent upon the actors reading for
| it's adequate presentation, as Iago. Mr..
| Warde evidently knows this, for he
| never loses an effective emphasis from
l. SciSolO tilC PlOpCl 1Ild1l " Il I'm
this time forth / never will speak
i word"
The surprising third act of 'Othello"
| devoted as it is almost entirely to the
| colloquy between the Moor and his
| honest Iago" was brilliantly present
ed by these two proficient players who
contrasted the two characters in strik-
1 ing fashion.
There were, alas, too many barren
| spectators in the parquet.
| 1t is a pleasure to record the presence
of other Intelligent players in the cast.
The Desdemona, the Cassie. the Emilia
and the Roderigo were real-were pos
| sible, were human. For this relief
much thanks" Alma Kruger the Des-
| demona, possesses that excellent thing
| in woman" low voice" She read
| the few speeches allotted to the ILL.,
fated bride with appreciative accent
and sympathy. Norman Hackett pre-
! scented a manly and agreeable Cassie,
albeit he is not bit spontaneous in
! the drunk scene. On the other hand,
| he is strong in the succeeding RE
Morse scene. The Roderigo Of Thomas
| Coffin Cooke possessed individuality
| without betraying effeminacy, and serv-
ed as an effective foil for Iago. Miss
Engel Sumner was an acceptable
Emilia. This character has possibili-
ties worthy of tragedienne.
Tonight and tomorrow night Messrs.
Warde and James will present "Alex-
ander the Great" F. G. H.