Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-11


.........,.......M Mr. Frankiyn Bendtsen
Rosencranz, cOurtier Mr.. Louis Thomas
An Actor. .............M Mr.. George Stiiweil
Another ............ Mr.. Hamilton B. Mott
An Officer. ........ MIR. Frederick Baldwin
A Grave Digger. .:...... .Mr. Bentdsen
Another ................ Mr.. Mott
OsFic, couftier. ............. .Mr. Calender
l1est ....'. .'''.'. .Mr. Lear
Ophelia. 1900. Miss Lillian Kingsbury
Gertrude ..................Mi Miss kingsbury
A woman Player. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
...............M Miss Josephine McCallum
INT r. MANTELL last evening played
IV Hamlet at the Mason to a big
Az audience, and lavish applause
rewarded the popular Shakespeaean
interpreters study of the most fasci-
mating problem character that engages
the attention of the most ambitious
tragedians. Mr.. MantelPs Hamlet is
robust, old-fashioned and sincere. He
does not go too finely into analysis of
moods-t'were caviare to the general
but presents a Hamlet who may be
appreciated, If not understood, by the
most popular as we'll as by the most
fastidious audience. Indeed, the only
of Mr.. Mantell's work
which may be generally applicable to
his production is that it Is obviously
an attempt to be clear and perspicu-
Gus rather than puzzling. If the Man.
tell version had held the stage from
are first Hamlet would accomplish
the purpose for which it was undoubt-
eddy written, for 1.-The plays the thing"
and Hamlet" we'll e-managed, is
probably the best acting drama in ex-
istence. Mr.. Mantell's Hamlet is not
finicky. One can understand him as
well as If he were on the witness stand
giving testimony concerning the sus-
picious death of his father and the
subsequent marriage of his guilty
mother to the murderer. 1t is plain
from Mr.. Mantelps portrayal that he
puts on an antic disposition where he
has 1t not and makes his assumption
of madness vehicle for, vengeance.
Prompted by the apparition of his
murdered father. he undertakes re-
venge, and the miscarriage of his re-
venge brings on him the browning
misfortunes of the death Of Polonius
and the madness of Ophelia. We hope
we are not wounding the feelings of
Shakespeare worshipers in hazarding
the suggestion that the rounding out
of the tragedy, in the death of the
queen and the duel in the graveyard, is
plain melodrama. At least, that is
what we would call 1t nowadays, and
as Mr.. Mantell is always at his best In
highly superior melodrama," his work
in the duel scene and after reached
climax of undoubted excellence. Mr..
Mantelps scholarship and close study
of Shakespeare result in a production
which is marvelously perfect in its
details. The absolute accuracy OF his
costuming and of his stage incidentals
and effects Is a delight to students
who consciously or unconsciously de-
test anachronisms. Every picture
presented was a masterpiece, and
close scrutiny would convince even the
most captious that no actor or man
ager of modern times, not even Henry
Irving, succeeded better in catching
the spirit of Shakespeare In the read
ing of the lines and in scenery, group
ing. costuming, action and accent
In the evenness and drill of Mr..
Mantell's excellent supporting company
the work OF master scholar and of
master of stagecraft is seen. Miss
Lillian Kingsbury's Ophelia is dainty
and pathetic. In the mad scene her
artistic and emotional reserve had
convincing effect on the audience.
Here was an Ophelia whom grief had
made it's own, sorrow-compelling fig
ure; not shrieking, ear-splitting Bed
lamite on the rampage. Miss Kings
bury's work was one of the most ar
tistic features of the performance.
The character of Laertes was well
expressed by Francis McGinn Ro-
maine Calender was impressive as the
ghost of Hamlet's father. The stage
version Of Hamlet" used by Mr.. Man
tell was prepared from Edwin Booths
prompt-book.
The Grand opera house will reopen
June % as a musical comedy stock
house. the first attraction to be 1.-THE
Founders" AS announced in The
Herald a fortnight ago, Bert Lyttel will
direct the company.
Clarence Drown, manager Of the
Orpheum theater and one of the pro-
prietors of the Grand, returned home
last night from the east, where he has
been for several weeks past making ar
for the Grand's season. He
said the company engaged for that
house, numbering in all thirty-five per-
sons. will reach here Sunday morning.
Rehearsals will begin Immediately.
"The Founders" will be followed by
other musical comedies which have
been successes in the east but which
never have been seen in Los Angeles.
The program at the Royal this week is
scarcely up to standard. Billy Forbes,
assisted by the chorus. sings Little
Red Domino" in good style, and Dolly
Graham, In dlrectolre gown, sings
Happy Days Gone By" AL Flournoy
delivers himself of monologue. Gladys
North sings Wont You Be MY
Echo Mapes contributes
"Some Day When Dreams Come True"
Vera Ramsdell. an unusually pretty
girl with an unusually discordant voice,
helps the picture machine in "Goodby.
Sweetheart" Eddie O'Brien and Lottie
Darragh repeat the singing and talking
act offered during their opening week.
Lottie Hoffman sings a ballad.
The one-act farce which concludes
the program was seen here at another
houSe only a -ew weeks ago. 1t is
neither particularly funny nor particu-
larly we'll done, though the musical in
provide a redeeming feat
ure. These include 81 Want to Be a
Merry Widow" sung by Miss Graham
and chorus, and the familiar "Harri
gan" humorouslv delivered by Lou
Farrell, with the chorus for. back
ground.
For some reason or another king
Doodle" announced for presentation
this week, has been postponed. TO take
It's place vaudeville program was ar
ranged hurriedly: and the bill suffers
In consequence.