The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-14
The Role of Katherine.
An Exacting But Pleasant Task for the
Actor.

ACLOf.
OF the women OF the stage. Ada Rehan
Is notable for many things, in addition
to the superiority OF her art. Among
other things. though famous far beyond
the lot Of most stars. she has never sub
mitted TO an interview. Neither has
she written signed articles for the news
papers. The appended essay of the
character OF Katherine (Miss Rehan's
greatest role, expressed in a preface
that she wrote for a book Of Tanning
of the Shrew.'' adapted by the late
Augustin DAILY. and published IN 1901
by Page & Co. is about the only thing
extant In type which came directly
from Miss Rehan's own pen 1t dts
closes not only the fine intellectually of
the great actress. but much OF the
charm OF an extraordinarily charming
woman.
"Katherine's own words point out her
fine intelligence. which places her far
beyond the common acceptance of the
word 'shrew. look upon her as a
grant creature. a very noble nature. %
high breeding spoiled. wiilful child.
who had always her own way with
everyone. Highstrung and ner 5Cus.
though. at the same time. strong and
thoroughly healthy. she could not bear
a shadow OF contradiction
A Good Soldier Beaten
Il liked. when playing. 10 remember
General Sherman-s expression one even
ing after seeing her. that katherine al
ways reminded him of a soldier who
had victories all along the line, until
she had. at last. met her master" No
one knew this better than she did She
braced herself for her last grand fight.
and fought IL with vigor. Being de-
feated. like true soldier. her submits
sion was absolute. and she acknowl-
edged her conqueror as frankly as she
had defied him.
This side Of her character was
strongly brought out in Augustin
Days version Of The Tanning of the
Shrew. In hts beautiful production he
treated the play as Shakespeare intend
ed, as a high classical comedy, in FIVE
acts. beginning with the Induction,
which had never before been given in
America. He believed in Katherine's
high qualities. and argued that BiaTsa
was the real 'Shrew.' Seemingly so gen.
tie and obedient almost Immediately
after marriage she (Bianca) showed her
true character, arguing and disputing
with her husband, and bringing unhap-
piness into her welded life.
Great Temper and Great Submission.
1T has been thought that Katherine
submission was too AFFECT. but 1 have
looked upon it that she has proportioned
her penance to her ofeenses: and that,
having been more outrageous In temper
than mortal woman was ever known to
be. she adopted more humility than
woman need ever show.
The character reveals. in fact. depths
and heights that confound and dlsquiet
us. We recognize in II something more
than human. 1t is framed In heroic
mold, and belongs TO a Titanic age
Katherine stands like the sublime con-
ception or an incarnate. immortal spirit
"a goddess-made woman who, in the in
fancy OF her new birth, RACES with the
wildness OF the tempest that plays
about her Olympian home. and then.
growing to the consciousness OF earthly
weakness. turns the whole divine force
within her to exemplifying the perfec-
ton OF hufnan obedience and depend
ence.
Under Mr.. Days mastery direction
the creation of such role as Katherine.
and the developments OF her varying
moods. filed me with delight. After
playing 1t for thirteen years. during
which Mr. DAILY watched and directed
almost every performance. IT was a
great pride and happiness to me that
never for a moment did he suggest any
change.
The Role, Not the Actor.
Playing Katherine brought me much
but very bad reputation
for temper. / have often been amused
at seeing the effect that a first perform
ance of the 'Shrew.' In a strange place.
produced on the employees OF the stage.
They stunned me as something actually
TO De feared. During the very long run.
/ have often heard 1t said that I hated
my Petruchio, and that our stage life
only reproduced our private intercourse.
l looked upon this as the greatest COM
pliment that could be paid me.
Il found Katherspe very exhausting
part to play. Her first entry demands a
height OF passion which in most other
plays would be the climax OF an even