The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-01-03
AN INTERVIEW WITH Il Dis
TINGUJSHED ACTOR.
John E. KeIlerd Tells How TO Preserve
ar Appreciation of Shakespeare.

John E. Kellerd Tells How TO Preserve
ar Appreciation of Shakespeare.
That most difficult of plays, Ham
let" was presented at the Hyperion on
Tuesday night by the distinguished ac-
tor, John e. Kelerd. Mr.. Kellerd's in
depreciation Of the character Of Hamlet
was especially good, although the sup
port given him by the company was not
all that could be expected. Neverthe-
less, the presentation, as whole, was
much better than the average. The
scenery used was prepared especially
for the played under the direction Of
Mr.. Kellerd himself He has pronounc-
ed ideas as to scenery, and these were
plainly evident at the performance in
this city.
Some presentations of this play have
run almost entirely to scenic effects at
the expense Of the play itself. This is
not the case, however, in Mr.. Kellerd's
productions In an interview with the
writer at the close of the Hyperion
performance Mr.. Kellerd said: Il have
purposely cut down the amount of
scenery to the least possible, Scenery
takes time to set up and causes long
waits between acts, which become
wearisome to the audience and detract
from the appreciation OF the play. If
Shakespeare's plays are to be preserved
and to remain the joy of audiences
these delays must be eliminated"
That Mr.. Kellerd has the right idea
was plainly evidenced in the applause
Of the audience which greeted his pre-
sentation. There was less than fifteen
minutes in waits during the entire per-
formance-a welcome relief from pre-
sensations which last until midnight.
I 1t is safe to say that the audience came
away with better appreciation of the
character of Hamlet than ever before.
| But this effect could not be obtained
by the absence of delays through the
cutting out Of scenic effects. There
must be quality in the man who as
sunes the title role, and effective sup
port by the company. This quality Mr.
KeIlerd possesses. "Imagination," said
Mr.. Kellerd to his interviewer, lis the
prime and foremost essential in the
successful actor. He must take upon
himself the character of the man whom
he assumes to impersonate. He must
feel his emotions, he must think his
thoughts and must say his words, not
from rote, but from his inspiration. To
play Hamlet a man must be Hamlet"
Good as was his impersonation, Mr..
Kellerd continued: Il have studied
Hamlet for twenty three years, but the
. performance which you witnessed is
not the presentation that l shall give
when [ have played Hamlet one hun
dred times more. | intend to devote
myself hereafter to Shakespeares plays
entirely and to gather about myself a
strong company in which each member
is especially fitted to his part" With
such ideals as these, that success
awaits him is certain.
Of the members of Mr.. Kellerds com-
pany especial mention must be made OF
Miss Viola Fortescue, daughter OF the
well-known comedian, George Fortes-
cue. Miss Fortescues beauty and he1
faithful presentation of 0phelia con-
tinue to make a warm place for her in
the audiences before whom she appears
There is still room for improvement
but in her fourth appearance as
Ophelia she gives promise Of great sue
cess.
Strong parts were portrayed by Alex
ander Frank as Claudius and Mr.. Muir
ray as Laertes.