The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-01
FORBES ROBERTSON
A FINE HAMLET
English Actor Achieves Dis
tinct Triumph.
REALISTIC AND INTENSE
Without an Equal in This Generation.
Gertrude Elliott a Superior
0phelia.


tragedy Of Hamlet was performed az
the Columbia Theater last night by the
eminent English actor, Forbes Robert
son, and a company OF acceptable quail
ity. The event viii live long in the
minds of those so fortunate as to take
part in IL as spectators. For the imper-
sonation Of the Prince by Mr.. Robertson
was distinctly triumphant II is rare
that any character conspicuous in our
literature is disclosed successfully on
the stage, and Hamlet, being per
haps the most conspicuous of all, is
least often truthfully interpreted. Mr..
Robertson's performance has this ex-
pository value; II is remarkable for its
revelation of character. The engage
ment IS, therefore. of extreme import
ance to the community, and those who
hope for an unaffected appreciation Of
genuine stage art will hope also that
Mr.. Robertson's audiences may be pro-
portionate to the dignity of the per-
formances.
Hamlet has been the subject OF so
much writing that modern reviewers
need but touch upon it's history: that 1t
was performed as early as 1898: that
the acting traditions with which 1t is
imbued descended from Shakespeare
himself to Sir William Davenant. thence
to Thomas Betterton, and thence to the
modern stage by virtue Of the record
of many pens; that in America It was
first produced by Lewis Hallam in 1853,
and has since been acted by over 100
male actors. two actresses, and a rope
dancer: and that the universal stand
ard among those who speak the Ian
guage OF the play was established by
the American actor. Edwin Booth
These customs and this standard. re-
enforced by a universal study Of the
tragedy have distinguished the person
slity OF Hamlet FOR melancholy and
romantic face. a magnetic eye. per
son of supreme grace. a stately carriage
and temperament OF manifest poetrr'.
Mr.. Booths successors are invari2Nly
subjected TO comparison with him. nd
IT is noteworthy that nearly every one
OF them has heen heralded the greatest
Hamlet since his day. For Washington.
Mr.. Robertson is now added TO this same
list ssf-
Like Davenport and Barrett.
In person the newcomer suggests the
pictures OF E. L. Davenport and Law
renee Barrett. being tall. intellectual Of
aspect. and serious. His performance of
Hamlet moreover. corresponds largely
with the records made OF those two emf
nent students in the same role. Hamlet
was not Mr.. Davenport's greatest part.
but IL was regarded by the best critics
conception of the character. scholarly,
finished, and profound" Mr.. Barrett-s
impersonation was rarely seen. he is,
indeed. much better known today for his
C$sAus. but. his Hamlet was noted as p
highly intellectual performance. ana
esteemed also as tender consistent
well-graced. and complete"
These adjectives apply all OF them 20
Mr.. Robertson. But the key TO his per-
Torrance last night lay in quality
OF realism which no earlier Hamlet
seems to have possessed. 1t is. in short.
fine reflection Of the tendency which
most signaIy characterizes our stage
tendency so TO modify acting OF all
kinds as 70 give it, even in its most
heroic passages. the illusion Of naturaI-
ism. Booths Hamlet was a creation
OF poetry. DavcnpOrt's OF quiet grace,
and Barrett's Of clear and lustrous in
telectuality. Mr.. Robertson's impersOn-
alton savors Of all these qualities but
incidentally. II is chiefly realistic.
An Achievement in Realism.
The achievement OF this realism de-
ponds clearly on an independent cour-
age which few actors possess. Daven-
ant, Betterton. Irving. and all his other
predecessors have gone down before this
actors own careful study Of the text
The program explains a simplhcation
OF the early scenes Of the play. so that
all Of them occur in or about Elsinore
Castle. by a brief citation OF the fact
that Shakespeare did not himself indi-
cate where the action occurred. The
whole scene between Hamlet and Ophe-
liza. while the King and Polonius listen
behind the arras, is clarified to the com.
prehension Of the most dull by the sim
pie expedient Of showing the hand OF
the courtler as he catches the portiere "a
hide himself. The manuscript Of The
the scene with the players. A new read
ing is gwen the advice 10 these visitors
SO thsE-$here seems to be a dash or a
colon %veen the words "trippingly
and % the tongue" But this indie
pendence is most marked IN the bearing
and acting of Hamlet himself. There IS
little sign Of the heroic. The enuncia-
tion is throughout kept on the plane OF
naturalness. Even the soliloquy. which
every schoolboy has reCIteG poetry, IS
spoken here as prose. The effect IS Wv
i'd but IL is. OF course. not poetical
With all this realism and Ohscurat ton
OF the poetical quality OF the play. Mr.
Robertson's impersonation does not lacl,
for charm. His voice is of the most
nelodious fiber, and his reading is SPLEEN
did-ciear. rich. and wonderfully lucid
His bearing Is noble. His attitude to-
ward his mother is at all times tender
and his memory Of his father unwaver-
inRiy affectionate. Finally lie has dis
tinct magnetism. a Chara cteristic which
rarely fuses with so much intellect
I18IllEL - OF AAAn AtdAAlo Il alAaAl Oh IN
doubted charm.
Miss Elliott a Fine 0phelia.
Mr.. Robertson did not. however. alb
sorb all the interest. His Ophelia, Ger
trude Elliott, was OF almost equal
merit Throughout all the vague and
trying scenes for that character this
young actress invested tho role with
consistent and convincing personality,
and the mad scene was superlatively
done The others in the company who
earned particular attention from theii
auditors OF yesterday were 9. Aubrey
Brnith as the Ghost. and Jennie Eustacc
~ the Queen. The company was other.
wise Of no conspicuous merit. The in
gestiture was rich and artistic
Only one other actor has given IN,
modern stage a production OF Hamlet
which bears comparison with this b,
Mr. Robertson. That actor IS, OF course
Mr. Sothern. The relationship between
these rivals ought 20 be made clear
The decision IS not easy-because Mr.
Sothern. although English born. like
Mr.. Robertson, IS now distinctly ar
American-but IL belongs with the new
est conner In only one respect IS ~
surpassed by Mr. SOtheru: the American
performs the great tragedy with I'm,
sense OF its poetiCal value. and tha
value Is frankly swept aside by his rival
In all other respects-in tenderness