The daily sentinel., 1907-04-30
| MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCES
Charles b. Hanford and Great Com
pany Presents Shakespeare's
Immortal Drama
Julius Caesar.

act for arts sake, perhaps the great
est living exponent of Shakerpearean
drama, man who played Marc An
thony to Edwin Booths Brutus, was
seen last night at the Park opera
house by an audience that filled the
building from pit to dome. in that
master tragedy and immortal drama,
julius Caesar that work of the great
est writer of plays the world has ever
known.
For quarter of a century Mr..
Hanford has stood before the Amer
lean people as one of the representa-
tiyes of the very highest ideals of the
stage, and one must pause in a feel.
ing of admiration when he thinks OF
Hanford in connection with the
drama. By perseverance, by earnest
work by ever looking to the best
and noblest in the world of leglti.
mate play, by natural ability and
the possession of a world of marvel.
Gus qualities, Charles B. Hanford ha:
won high seat among the distin.
! guished and brilliant actors of the
American stage. TO actor who visits
Grand Junction almost annually Is
more popular and none excite higher
admiration among the lovers of class
ical drama. While the world during
late years has seemed at times to turn
aside and ignore the loftier ideals OF
the stage, turned to the lighter, shall
lower things. Hanford has kept stead
lily ahead with the legitimate drama
and who can say that he has not
triumphed. With more Hanfords
the purity of the stage would be less
nftnF hrnrrrrlnf INT
is a Shakespearean student in every
sense of the word. he is a veritable
worshiper of the mighty works of the
Bard of Avon. He loves every charac,
ter from Shakespeare that he assum-
es to delineate. There Is nothing OF
imitation about Hanford.
We believe that the production of
Julius Caesar" that Mr.. Hanford is
carrying this year is the most re-
splendant, and most satisfactory and
the most brilliant that the disting-
luished actor has ever brought to
Grand junction and no performance
he has ever given here has ever been
more enthusiastically received. The
production of Julius Caesar" In our
mind was the superior of anything
in the theatrical line seen in Grand
Junction this season.
Mr.. Hanford appeared as Marc An
thony." Such a magnificent interpre-
tation did he give that character
Dignifed at times. calm only when
shaken by the powers of sorrow, an
ger and love over the body of his
dead Caesar, equal to every scene
and climax, ideal in his speech and
movements. who dare say that Han
ford was not the Marc Anthony that
Shakespeare painted in his writings
and pictured in his mind. Although
Marc Anthony does not make many
appearances during the progress of
the play all those appearances count
and Hanford is given every opportun-
ity to give evidence of the fires OF
natural dramatic strength that burn
within him. In the passionate speech
es over the body of Caesar in the sem
ate chamber Hanford was grand but
naturally in the Grafton at the fun
eral of Caesar, when he sways the
mob and populace by that master
piece of orations, Hanford was at his
best. It was a triumph of talent and
histronic genius, storm of true ora
tory. depicting but not initiating n
storm of pure oratory. Following
this great scene the audience cheered
for many moments, securing four
curtain calls. Hanford was all that
was expected of him or could be desir-
ed of the great character OF Anthony.
There is one thing about Hantord
that is not noticeable in many actors
of national repute. he does not at
temDt TO keep his supporting company
far beneath his level by giving them
insignificant parts, he does not at
tempt to forcibly outshine them all
He is over-willing to divide honors'
In Julius Caesar" there are four
male characters of almost equal I'M
portance and strength. with Brutus
and Cassius having more to do ana
saw than Anthony and Caesar, conse-
onentIy a star inclined to always out
shine his support would hardly dare
TO plav Anthony and allow men OF
ability to assume the other parts.
But not so with Hanford.
Next to the work of Mr.. Hanford
mnst come that of John NJ. Kline who
nIavs "Cassius. He is certainly a
brilliant actor and he awoke the hish-
est admiration last night. He was
IDEAL In the part, he has wonderful
voice although suffering from a Sc
vera cold last night. His personality,
his graceful movements were marked
with pleasure by all. Everybody was
nleased with Cassius. Mr. Kline arose
10 all the great dialogues and dramat-
ic scenes where Cassius takes the
lead II is a wonderful character
n strong character and Kline was tne
man for 1t. He should feel proud oil
his efforts. -. 80
James Edwards was eSceilent ~
prutus his manner was pleasing and
he added dignity to the really noDi.
character of the unhappy Brutus' AZ
no time was he weak. The scene II,
Rrutug' tent. between Cassius and
Brutus was given the very strohseS'
presentation. a,o,,o,
Andrew II. Tombes was very cleNei
nc Tu1ius Caesar. He fits the par
we'll It's a difficult role but MT
Tombes handled 1t very creditaoly IN
deed. o &c main.
1v n "play Of men, women nave pu'
iittIa mart in It. However Miss prot
nah nah IN the short role OF Portia, Bru
t"s' wife. was charming and addeo
inches of sweetness to the play
she was heartily cherred when sn'
annaared. Her Interpretation wa
eYcelient. Miss Davis was very goo'
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