Evening capital., 1904-09-15
MR.JOHN GRIFFITH A WINNER
Magnificent Presentation of "Mac-
beth" Last Night AT The
Colonial 7 Theatre

Even the elements conspired last
night TO help in making Mr.. John
Griffith's Macbeth a marked success.
Without the thunder and lightning
depicted in the meeting of the three
witches, there was rain a plenty
fortunately on the outside of the thea
tre. AT times the patter of the rain
drops on the roof of the theatre al
most drowned the voices of the actors
and il was such a night as TO en-
hance the effect Of the awfulness of
one of Shakespeare's most popular
tragedies.
For the first time in this city Mr..
John NJ. Hickey presented Mr.. John
Griffith in Macbeth, - a Shakespear-
can tragedy that has been produced
by eminent tragedians throughout the
worlds history. Mr.. Griffith was a
fitting impersonator of the character
He is not only qualified by nature TO
play the part of Macbeth, but he has
made careful study and delineation
of the character and has schooled him.
self for the part. He has a magnifi-
cent figure, athletic and supple,
every curve and every line of which
tells of strength, not only physical,
but mental His voice has a remark
able range and clearness and he
enunciates perfectly-all gifts of ma
ture which he has cultivated and
which are successful to the tragedian
who strives for eminence.
Mr.. Griffith is a worthy successor
of Forrest, Booth, Mccullough,
Davenport and Barrett, all of whom
have passed away, but who have left
the mark of their genius for all time.
To portray in accordance with the
popular idea. a tragic character like
Macbeth. in a tragedy so replete
with murder, ghosts, witches, thun-
dor and lightning and novel scenic
effects, requires genius and art, III
both of which Mr.. Griffith proved
himself eminently endowed by his
faithful portraiture last night of the
title role. As Lady Macbeth, Miss
Louise Ripley shared the honors with
Mr.. Griffith. Miss Ripley is young.
handsome and graceful. Her manner
is pleasing and her delivery dramatic.
Like Mr.. Griffith she has a certain
versatility of expression that carries
weight and this, combined with her
dominating manner of dramatic de-
livery. absolutely thrills her audience.
Her scenes with Macbeth, where she
is plotting the murder of King Dun-
can, who stands between her husband
and his vaulting ambition, are mas
terful Her costuming is rich and
tasteful, and the long flowing robes
of the period she represents well be-
come her graceful figure.
Miss Ripley is an able support of
Mr.. Griffith and bids fair to attain a
position among the leading contem-
poraneous tragic stars. Mr. Griffith's
support throughout the cast was
good. MIR. L. p. Sullivan was
forceful Characterization of Macduf.
He acGuitted himself excellently in
the very difficult scene where he is
told of the murder of his wife and
children, and where he portrays
deep undercurrent of tenderness in
his nature while the passion aroused
by the horrible murder of all his loved
ones caused the frenzy of his denun-
citation on the murderer, and the re-
solve for vengeance. All of these
emotions were given with powerful
effect. The interest of the story was
heightened by the picturesqueness of
the stage settings, the electrical effects
and costumes of the period. All OF
the leading characters received re-
peated applause, and should Mr..
Griffith and his associate players re-
turn they are doubly assured of a
hearty welcome.