The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-12
James and warde in "otheIIo.-

UNIQUE-variety, and p. m.
James and Warde in "OthelIo."
In these days when the vogue of the
lighter class OF entertainment discourages
managers from making costly ventures
with the Shakspearean plays. the only
hope the student and more thoughtful pub
lie have of seeing the poets great dramas
performed is when actors OF distinction,
spurred on by ambition or artistic impulse
make them occasionally the feature of their
season. For this reason, If for no other,
must playgoers be grateful TO Louis
James and Frederick Warde-and TO the
managers who provide them with financial
backing-for having made the conscientious
and pains-taking revival of "Othello" that
was witnessed last night at Englshs by
small but appreciative audience.
1t is a difficult matter to put a Shak-
spearean play on the stage in fiawless
style and there were some few shortcom-
ings in last nights production. but even
with these defects, there was so much or
special beauty and intelligence in the per-
Torrance that the intellect was refreshed
and the senses pleased. Scenically the pro-
duction was a marked Improvement over
the usual presentation of this great trag-
edy. Those enthusiasts who want their
Shakespeare served in the simplicity OF the
EliZdbethan period would have been disap-
pointed had they been present at the per-
Torrance, for Managers Wagenhals and
kemper have provided stage settings that
are to be classed with the scenic equipment
of modern plays. The chief argument adj
vanced by those who favor the absence of
pictorial display in a ShakSpearean drama,
is that the attention is not distracted from
the text by the scenery and costumes. In
the days of Booth and Barrett the nom
scenic playgoer must have been in his
element, for the quality of the scenery used
by those distinguished tragedians was Civ
| en- little consideration by the actors them
selves. But it would be hard to convince
the average playgoer of to-day that elab-
crate scenery and fine stage effects do not
| tend to heiShten the general impressiveneSS
| of a Shakspearean play.
And so "othello,," as it was given last
night, was carefully staged and, for the
| most part, carefully acted. This drama,
| like Julius Caesar" is one in which no
star can hope to shine alone. Which part,
indeed, in this tremendous tragedy affords
| the actor the better oppOrtunity--the love-
crazed Othello with his hideousy tortured
heart and mind, OF the cold, cynical, viii
famous Iago, ever brooding upon his out
ragged pride and his hatred of those who
have unconsciously thwarted his ambi-
| tions? Booth chose the role of Iago; Sal
VIM chose that Of Othello, and other great
| tragedians were prepared TO give master
| ~ Interpretation of either character. 1t
is play absolutely dependent for a sue
cessful presentation upon two dramatic
| artists of great ability.
Last nights tragedy was on old school
performance with a new school environ
| his characterization was in many ways the
| best he has ever given in indianapolis,
while Mr.. Warde's Iago was almost if not
| quite, as good a portrayal. Both of these
| actors are of the old school, few of whom
are now left on the American stage. They
are intelligent students of the classic drama
| and painstaking players. Each of them
| possesses Il deep. musical voice, and the
work of each is graceful. accurate and i'm
pressive- The old school actors may have
| their faults but they have their fine quail
tiles, too; one of these is reverence for
Shakespeare and another is an ability to de
liver the beautiful blank verse POLITICALLY
ern note to the acting and dction of the
| two actors last might, but to retain all OF
| the beauty of the poets verse in this trag-
edy it is necessary that the declamatory
form of delivery be preserved. And so it
is that "Othello" is perhaps more adj
mirably suited to James and Warde than
any other of the classic dramas, unless il
| be Julius Caesar"
The tragedians were admirable in the
| strong, imprisoned scenes and won many
rounds of applause with their splendid
work. Their support was adequate in some
instances and weak in others. Alma Kru-
ger, a young actress whose future is full
OF promise, made an excellent Desdemona
This character, like most of Shakespeare
women 1;s1t can hardly be said to offer great
marked by a restraint. delicacy and power
which combined to produce the illusion OF
| reanty> IN pain1ul intensity Norman Hack
| EFT gave a consistent portrayal Of Cassie
| while Thomas Coffin Cook played the
| humorous role of ROderigo in spirit OF
| farce rather than of comedy. Miss Enge
| Sumner impersonated the faithful Emilia
| with spirit and discrimination. The re-
| manning parts in the cast were not handled
in an efficient manner. Fortunately these
| roles were not of much Importance but il
does seem strange that, since the perform
! ance is in other respects a noteworthy one
the stars should not insist upon having
| DeODle for these minor chara
tiers. The engagement was for the one
evening only.