Arizona republican., 1908-01-12
hANfORD tN6AGfMfNI
 ANOTHER SUCCESS
Two Fins Performances at the Doris Opera House and Both We'll Attend
 ed-Old Friends Made New Friends.

The annual visit of Charles B. Han- ford and company to Phuenix. which
 has been looked forward to with great expectation, is now an event of local
 theatrical history, though the company will still be in the city until thls even ing, when it leaves for the coast. That
 the engagement was the crowning dra-
 matic incident of the season, as the
 Hanford presentations have been for
 some years past. scarce needs men, | ton, and in the saying of it no shad- | ows are cast on the fair fame of sev-
 eral very fine mixed musical and dra-
 matic productions that have been en- joyed.
 The Doris opera house yesterday
 afternoon was better filled than usual at matinee performances, better even
 than on the occasion of the cOmpany's
 last previous visit when Cymbeline
 was seen for the first time by a Phoe- nix audience. The Merchant of Venice
 was the attraction and it has lost none of its old time interest as C matinee bill.
 In Antony and Cleopatra those who attended the evening performance
 saw another new production for the
 first time here by the Hanford compa- ny. and witnessed the bearing of the talented interpreter of Marc Antony in scenes and settings vastly different from those that surround him in the atmosphere of the tragedy of Julius
 Caesar. That he acquitted himself with equal credit and in more trying and long-drawn situations and cli- maxes, is the verdict of a large and critical audience.
 Naturally. much interest attached to the work of Hiss Alice Wilson. the leading lady. who was selected as an able successor to Marie Drofnah, who has temporarily retired from the stage during a season of convalescence from a severe illness. Both as Portia and as Cleopatra Miss Wilson's roles were arduous In their demands for deli cate conception, artistic execution. and the physical exertion of volumin- ous dialogue as well as graceful action. She labored greatly at a disadvantage yesterday by req son of a severe cold. and 1t was appar- ent as the scenes progressed that she spoke with a difficulty that could not be concealed, even with her accom- plished efforts so to do. The only criticism heard was this deficiency of voice that rendered some periods less impressive than they might have been Her conception of emotional situations was most satisfactory and the grace and commanding power with which she swayed the sensual court of Egypt won her no fewer plaudits than were accorded Mir. Hanford with whom the titular honor was necessarily divided. Miss Wilson is undoubtedly an actress of unusual ability and comes to the Hanford company with a worthy rec ord of former achievements. She is of English birth. and came to this coun- try with Charles Hawtrey in The Message From Mars" Later she was with otis Skinner, then with Viola Allen and last season with Nat Good win. That this seasons work will add to her fame there is no doubt.
 Though the story calls for the almost constant presence on the stage of one or the other of the leading roles. and in every scene was much that might be commended, there were some inci- dents of overshadowing interest. MT Hanford in his wooing of the artful queen was clever. but was far more impressive in the moment of his jeal- ous rage. in the hour when the soldier ly spirit predominated. and in the final appreciation of his undoing and the of a career the fallen Antony did not forgive in himself, nor seek to have condoned. The power which swayed him was well cofessed in denunciation and reconciliation and through all his weakness there shone the glory of a brave. even though mis- guided man. His suicide was well portrayed and in equally as impressive way did the author of his misery as well as his greatest happiness testify to the ardor and the faithfulness of her affection as one who loved not wisely, but too well.
 But the Hanford company is not composed of merely two actor folk There are many of them. and several among the cast are deserving of spec ial mention. Especially excellent was the work of John NJ Kline, quickly recognized member of the company, as one who did especially well during former engagements here. He is of full Shakespearean stature. as also is AL exander Mackenzie Both men in the roles of Enobarbus and Octavius Caesar. are a tower of strength to the Hanford aggregation. As Bassanio in the afternoon, MT. Kline was partuc- ularly good. Several members of the male support would be mentioned if space were available.
 Miss Kathryn Stevens as Octavia. had but small part, but that it was well done is entirely to her creditand Miss Biala and Miss Dunn as attend ants upon Cleopatra, and the former also as mafd.to Portia and the latter as the daughter of Shylock, were ire quently in the limelight. to the mutual advantage of both themselves and the audience.
 In the production of Antony and Cleopatra there is much beside what might rigidly be termed the acting. for as staged bv HanfOrd il is very decid-