The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-28
PES KIDNEY AND BLADDER DISEASES.
Forbes Robertson as HaMIet

lowed the advice of his admirers he would
have appeared as the Prince of Denmark
at an early age. But he is an artist, every
inch of him. and he had no intention OF
characters until he was absolutely certain
that he had grasped il in its every phase
and detail. He loved Shakespeare and Ham
let too we'll to attempt to realize the Bard
OF AVons greatest work until he felt that
MS own art had reached its ripest maturity.
And so he waited patiently many years.
studying the while with tireless enthusiasm,
and now that he has offered his interpreted
ton % the theater-going public it is found
that he rises magnifcently to a height that
cannot be questioned. and presents a Ham
one that must be considered on par with
the greatest Hamlets of the past.
+
The supporting company. as in 1.-The
Light That Failed" did most commendable
work. The Ophelia of Gertrude Elliott
was surprisingly convincing performance,
her rendition of the famous mad scene be-
ing particularly effective. Those who had
seen her portrayal of Maisie in the Kipling
play did not look for such splendid acting in
the intricate Shakspearian character, but
it must be said that she sustained the
various moods of Ophelia with well-direct-
ed intelligence and held the sympathy of
her audience from beginning to end.
The King of Denmark was played with
distinction by Ian Robertson brother of
the star and the stage director of the
company. He looked the part ar1 acted
it well, although occasionally fal ng into
a somewhat mechanical reading of the
blank versa fault that is so often notice
able in Shakspearian players. The ghost
was interpreted by c. Aubrey Smith, who
gave fine reading of the lines, and the
Queen, Hamlet's mother, was admirably
portrayed by Miss Jennie Eustace the only
American urh IN
has often been seen in Indianapolis in
prominent companies, was especially en-
gagged by Mr.. Robertson to play this part
during his present tour, and the actor
showed good judgment in his selection.
Arthur Harold as HoratiO, Guy Lane as
Polonius, Leon Quartermaine as Laertes,
James j. Ryan as the First Tlayer and
Ernest Cosham as the First Gravedigger
were good in their respective roles, and
the minor characters were all in the hands
of capable players.
MIR. Robertson's acting version of Ham
let has been prepared chiefly from the
Cambridge and Narforum editions of Shak-
speare. All OF the action, save the graveyard
scene, takes place in and about Elsinore
castle, which readily commends itself for
the reasons that there is less change of
scene. thus allowing more scope and action
to the characters. n more impressive Dro-
duction of the drama has never been seen
In indianapolis, the settings being massive
and strikingly handsome, while the stage
management was unusually adequate The
final scene of the tragedy was given az il
has never been presented before Instead OF
the customary theatrical death of Hamlet
the melancholy prince dies peacefully from
the poisonous wound while seated on the
throne OF his father-the throne that has
just been left vacant by the murderouS
brother of the dead monarch-and the cur
tain falls as Hamlet's dead body is being
carrier away on the shield by four sol
ders.
The play was received with enthusiasm by
the audience. Mr.. Robertson was warmly
applauded again and again, and was called
before the curtain at the end of the third
act. Miss Elliott, too was the recipient of
much applause and good work by Other
players In the cast was not overlooked II
was memorable performance in memora.
| bic engagement.