Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
CHARLES B. HANF0RD
Has Adhered to Shakespeare
and the Classics.
A LEGITIMATE" ACTOR
He Has Always Lived Up to High
Ideals.
AN HONOR TO THE CAPITOL
Made His First Appearance Here az
an Amateur-Now Known
Throughout the Country.
IN HONOR TO THE CAPITOL

Mr. Charles b Hanford is one of the
few actors who have gone out from this
city who have consistently adhered to the
portrayal of Shakespearean and classic
parts And in the twenty-seven years
that he has been on the stage he has b
kept that end in view. Mr.. Hanford. al
though born in California, came east with
his parents when quite young. and practi-
cally acquired his education in the public
schools here. where he grew up. He was
A member of the Lawrence Barrett Dra-
matte Club. where he first displayed any
dramatic ability when that organization !,
gave THE Merchant of Venice" at the
National Theater Mr.. Hanford making
decided hit as Shylock.
Mr.. Hanford was very cautious about
coming to a conclusion in regard to going
on the stage. professionally. He was nat
urally flattered by the warm notices that
were given him for his amateur work. but
he realized that il would be quite diner-
ent thing if he became professional
actor. He was young man. had good
position in the pension office. and il would
be really a serious business TO throw up
his government office and trust TO the
fickleness OF the public for support ON the
professional stage.
His Professional Career.
But he finally decided TO make the at
tempt, and, securing d leave from his Of
flee. with permission TO put in substi-
tute. he joined the company of William
Stafford. excellent actor who was doing
a series of Shakespearean plays at the
head of his own company. and in the fall
of 1882. at the age of twenty-three. Mr..
Hanford made his first professional APP
pearance at New London. Conn. and be-
gan that career which has made him a
tavorite in every city in the Union.
That season the young actor gave the
promise of the excellence he later at
tained-the bloom was redeemed by the
fruit-and the following season he Joined
the company of Thomas w. keene, who
did more than his fair share 10 bring the
public taste 10 an appreciation of the
classic and the heroic drama, task to,
which Hanford has succeeded. and in the
discharge of which he has fully equaled
and probably surpassed his master. His
next engagement was with Robson and
Crane. playing Aegeon in their never-to-
be-forgotten production of the Comedy
of Errors.
With Booth and Barrett.
But ii was not until he engaged with
Booth and Barrett in the greatest Shake
spearean combination in the entire his
tory of the American stage that the gen.
eral public came TO know and to appre-
ciate the extraordinary talents of Mr..
country for three seasons supporting these
two famous actors. and in Julius Caesar"
he divided the applause with even Booth
himself. though he was then under thirty.
His Antony was the adequate complement
to the Brutus OF Booth and the Cassius Of
Barrett. His physique is greatly 10 his
advantage and his voice all that could be
desfred-rich round. full. sonorous conn
manding, clear. musical. At Louisville.
Ky. the Booth and Barrett company
played TO enormous business in the old
exposition building. as long and nearly as
wide as the United States pension office
at Washington. Admirable and delightful
as was the voice of Booth. il reached lit
tie more than half way down the audi
forum. but syhen Hanford delivered the
Grafton of Antony the LOO or more per-
sons who had seats in the far rear burst
into tumultuous and vociferous applause
that reached TO splendid ovation. 1t
was all of the show they heard except
other lines spoken by Antony himself
Others Whom He Supported.
When Booth and Modjeska were CO.
stars Hanford in the support for
both seasons. after which he was with
Julia Marlowe. In 1891 he ventured on
an independent starring season. playing
Antony and Ingomar. Subsequently he
was co-star with keene and later joint
IL.
Afterward he was joint star with Louis
James and Kathryn kidder. For part or
one season he was with Mrs John Drew.
and another season he in the ALL
star cast of .'Rosedale' and i'm a produc-
ton Of Antony and Cleopatra
For two years he PLAYED the leading
roles with Julia Marlowe, and his NAL
volio in Twelfth Night. Benedict in
Much Ado About Nothing Mercutio In
Romeo and Juliet" Master Walter in
THE Hunchback and Jacques in las You
Like IT. attracted attention and amply tes-
titled to his versatility. Mr.. Hanford has
played Richard. Shylock. Antony Brutus,
Iachino. Othello. Iago. Petruchio.. Bene-
dick and LeanteZ. He is a delightful Don
Caesar de Bazan. One of his triumphant
successes is Corporal Haversack i'm THE
Old. Guard" He greatly popularized
Steele Mackaye's Money Mad" and made
a pronounced hit in "A Man Without
Country He also produced Private