The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-18
AT THE THEATERS
etropoItan-RIchard Mansfield In "oId
lHeideIberq.'

HeIdelberg."
Richard Mansfield has given US many
characters, infused life into many crea-
lures of ink and paper thru the strength
of his versatility, but it is seldom that he
shows us a mere man. Prince Karl Helm
rich IS no degenerate roue, no tyrant
gorged with power, no hero of romance
nor dual personality He is but an ordi-
nary twentieth century young man, who
would have been happy had his lot been
cast with the people, but who is choked
and stifled by the ermine which fate fas-
tens about his neck. Wilhelm Meyer For
ster has written his play Of "Old Heidel-
perg IN the shadow Only once does the
sun shine brightly There are no ORA
matte climaxes, no romantic adventures,
ana the story portrays the pitiful efforts
or young man to grasp the happiness
which is beyond his reach. Happiness is
not the birthright of princes. They have
It's substitute, power altho none of the
pomp and glory Of the throne are shown
In the play, but only its awful loneliness.
The hero Is no naughty sovereign, flash
ing defiance. no ruler bending men to his
will by statecraft, but man whose phi
losophy must enable him to make what he
can of his life, as he is denied the OPP
portunlty to do with it what he would.
Mr. Mansfield is always convincing, al
ways forceful. and his mannerisms arc
unobtrustve in the character Of Karl Helm
rich. In the gloom of the castle of Karls-
burg he is shy, awkward, his personality
submerged in the multitude Of forms and
ceremonies with which he is surrounded
he is machine. who smiles but once in
Two years. and who has never been free
from the presence of attendants court
officials or guards His real self fla shes
forth as he talks with his tutor of the ioys
OF the morrow. when he enters on the life
OF student at Heidelberg. and for once
one sees the man. not the autonaton. His
rival in the old university town. as the
students are celebrating the coming of
May opens new world to him. For the
hrst time he knows what friendship com
radeshlp, might mean. 1t is not surpris-
ing that he falls in love with Kathie the
lnnkeepers pretty maid, since she is the
only girl who has ever treated him like a
human being. He is young and 1t is Nav
and for the first time III his life he feels
the red blood flowing in his veins and
Knows what it is to live. The students
forget that he is the heir apparent. thew
remember that he IS a good fellow. for he
is the jolliest, most irresponsible student
In all Heidelberg. Perhaps the sun shines
the brighter because it is so ffeeting and in
tour snort months the recall comes. When
told that he must return to prison life al
Harrisburg, Prince Karl Heinrich refuses
But in his refusal Mansfield puts a touch
OF hopelessness which shows that he real
ICES what the end will be and how ,,se-s
less Is his defiance. He feels the chains
tighten and the duty which a prince owes
to his people shac]Sies his freedom Eis
farewells to his old tutor. to the sr;rl he
loves and to the scenes in which he has
really lived are piteous. -.
BACK In Harrisburg, he is again the ma 8
chlne, and does not revolt even when a
marriage is arranged for him by the
state, put one feels the loneliness that