Arizona republican., 1907-02-17
SEASONS INCIDENT
THE HANF0RD VISIT
Two Delightful Presentations Of
Shakespearean Plays at the Doris
Opera House.

Shakespearean Plays at the Doris
Opera House.
IT may well be said that the Charles
b. HanfOrd company is the most popu-
lar dramatic organization that now Ia
! vors Phoenix with its annual visit.
Others are equally as well patronized
when they are known To be worthy of
it and as exemplary i'm their respective
lines Of effort but i'm the Hanford en-
gagement there is always an appeal to
something higher than the mere enter
tainment of the moment; something
that makes the devotees of the play
house think: that awakens whatever
within them lies. Tor the appreciation of
real art i'm the portrayal Of human emo
tons For the lessons that may be in
culcated the company deserves credit
only as the medium, for MIR. HanfOrd
has spent the greater part of his life
and his best efforts in placing before
the world the masterpieces of Shakes
peare. whose merits were acknowledged
as supreme before the present day and
generation. But i'm the mere delin-
cation OF Shakespearean roles lies glory
enough for one man or one company,
mittedly has been in this instance.
In the presentation at the Doris
opera house yesterday afternoon of
Cymbeline and of julius Caesar at the
evening performance, Phoenix was Civ
en- the dramatic festival of the season
and it was an event fully appreciated
by the people. Both the star and the
7 leading lady, Maria Drofnah are no
longer looked upon as strangers but
have come to be known almost as
friends. by Phoenix people, even by
I scores who have never met them per-
sonally. for their familiar figures be-
hind the footlights. in the most heroic
lines the world has known, are expected
annually as the seasons roll by.
In the matinee performance however,
there was somewhat Of novelty mingled
with familiarity, for it was the first
time Phoenix was ever favored with
the production of Cymbeline, and those
who never saw the play before canno;
but feel that heretofore at least one Of
/ the good things of life has been with
held from them. To read it IS to be
interested but like most Of Shakes
[ peare's works it possesses an element
of human interest that can never be
conceived from the cold words alone,
divorced from the impressive actions
they suggest. As Imogen. Miss Drof-
nah was superb and often during the
/ PROCESS OF the performance. the aud
! fence seemed as il undecided between
their impulse for noisy appreciation and
their more selfish desire TO sit in silent
appreciation Of the thoughts impaired
! by the seeming realism on the stage.
No character could more impressively
depict a Womans cOnstancy in both
love and honor under stress Of the Sc
verest test that could be put upon the
flesh. Mr.. Hanford as the Roman
cOurtier Iachimo was the fullest posi-
! BILE conception Of one endowed by per-
sonal graces. social standing and
Willingness to participate in the most
villainous OF undertakings. and ZACH
imos final undoing is an Incompatible
illustration Of the triumph of right over
wrong. Though not a character that
calls for sympathy. his beautiful fail
ure after such a splendid effort. makes
his audience love him but the more.
But not all the interest rested in
these characters. Miss Davis as the
somewhat crafty and ambitious queen.
ID
I Kline as Posthumous was magnificent.
Cloten, though not appealing to ones
sympathies or respect was nevertheless
well handled by Mr.. Tombes who fur
nished what of comedy the play af-
fords and who made a fine contrast
with his more fortunate rival.
! The train from MaricoDa was late
yesterday afternoon and did not arrive
until near the hour of the matinee.
which was necessarily delayed. While
waiting. on request of some, Mr. Han
ford announced that for want of better
amusement the curtain would be raised
| that the placing OF the scenery and the
dressing of the stage might be Witness
ed by the audience for some Of whom
the sight was a novel one and that it
was appreciated was testified to by
1 loud applause at its conclusion.
! The opera house was full except for
/ a few Of the rear seats. but the large
audience waited patiently. the unavoid-
able delay and so great was the inter-
est that few if any left until the CON
clusiOn of the performance which was
not until nearly o'clock in the eve
ming.
! At the night performance there was a
packed house. to witness the ever pop
ular and more familiar presentation of
Julius Caesar. Never was there a more
! effective exhibition of that old Roman
story in these parts and many there
/ be who will contend it has never been
equaled here. Surely Mare Antony
{ himself could have appealed no more
I impressively to the citizenship of Rome
! than did Mr.. Hanford last night in
his mimic forum. If not perfection
it was too near that place of
honor for aught but one of proud at
tainments to attempt to criticize Bru-
tus was left to the care OF Geo. c. Gun
ther and with much better effect than
I in the afternoon when he appeared as
PisaniO. though he did well in both
roles but seemed to labor against a Sc
we're hOarseness. Mr.. Tombes who ap-
-. IA.