New-York tribune., 1906-11-06
THE DRAMA.
MR. MANTELL AT THE ACADEMY.
Richard III.

Mr.. Robert Mantel. who appeared last night az
the Academy Of Music. has assumed professional
position that ought 20 be cordially approved ana
earnestly commended.-for he has made HIS plans
20 assume and maintain the leadership of our stage.
as the representative Of the great plays Of Shakes
peere; and incidentally. he has added TO his roper
that interesting and difficult old play, Charles
Macklin's Man OF the World. in which he intends
10 personate Sir PertnaX Macschyophant That part
has not been attempted in theatre since the
days Of the elder Hackett Mr.. Manten is not
stranger. He has been for many years our
stage: he has had abundant experience; and he has
proved his executive ability. The plans that he
has now formed. - successfully fulfilled. could not
prove otherwise than beneficial 10 the stage and
10 society. II is comfort to actor who.
whatever may be his defects squarely places ths
emphasis on Acting. and does not seek 20 attract
attention by mnistering 10 ephemeral taste for
fsds and follies.
The play. last night was Richard Ill" and Mr.
Nantel acted Gloster That play is radically false
20 historical fact. being a muddle of time place
persons and incidents. and being grossly misrepre-
sentative OF the character OF King Richard III,
who one Of the abest and salutary mon
archs that ever reigned in England; but. dramati-
caliy. II is OF the effective tragedies the
iansuage. Mr.. Mantells impersonation OF Richard
Is more robust than subtle Mental anguish.
Quent remorse. is impossible a monster The
actions OF the King become terrible, and he wades
through blood 20 a throne; but he exhibits piteous
efiiction. Accordingly, in order that the cul-
produced, the character must at the beginning be
invested with certain measure Of involuntary SEN
sibity. In the earlier phases Of his conduct and
experience Goster is not the type Of ferocty. The
actor who would play the part for all II is worth
must carefully discriminate between extremes
Shakespeare. who built this tragedy an earlier
play. using the language of arother and altering II
and amplifying IT with his own. has not been AT
great pains 20 make the character perfectly evi-
dent. The piece has 10 be cut and arTanEeo' ana
&c aflo Ia 70 TaR ~
which makes II a consistent emblem OF intellectual
ambition. subtly pursued. Mr.. Manteu has long
been accustomed 10 play 10 audiences that require
much emphasis and his style has. thererore De-
come somewhat rank with physical exuoeTancei but
he possesses intelligence and power. and his act
ing in general. is, this time. better worth the
attention Of thoughtful observers than much OF
the experimental hystercal effort characteristic of
the average proceedings visible in our theatre.
In use OF voice and in elocution Mr. Mantell con-
tinues 20 be either inadequate needless Wrong
smphasiS and Incorrect accentuaton were frequent;
but the more serious blemsh OF vocalism occurs
because the actor begins at almost his highest
pitch: does not save his breath; and, therefore,
becomes exhausted before he has reached his
climax. With reference 10 his ideal of Gloster II
probably is useless 70 make any suggestion. Gus
tom seems 70 have confirmed Mr. Manteu In the
conviction that Gloster should be made a ruugeing
Fniscreant u IS an error. The use OF CIbber's
pieos, with embellishments, might explain much
alteration from the standard OF nature and the
spirit Of poetry; but with Cibber there IS
opportunity Of subtlety IN art Mr. Msnteu
has fDe mornents-psrrcularly when he expresses
meditation and when he uses the hollow whisper
His sardorio hunor and his irony likewise are
fortunate and true. The part OF Buckingham was
wen played by Mr.. Guy Lindsey. TIL his fnal exit
when he spoiled Il with rant Lady Anne was
murdered IN every sense The scenery ie eiaborats
ard nns The house was crowded