The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
HAMLET Is CLIMAX
TO SOTHERN'S WORK
Hiss MarlOwe Jointly APP
pears with Famed Actor.
ENGAGEMENT FAR TOO SHORT
Many Loves of Drama Unable 10
Gain Admittance to BeIascO Last
NiEht-Trend Of Public Fancy Is
Toward Well Produced Classic
Drama-ROIe Is Well Done.

The interesting and, in many respects.
The Belssco Theater during the last week
came 10 a brilliant termination last night.
when "Hamlet' was given and Mr. Soth-
ern appeared jointly with Miss Julia Mar
lowe. who was especially engaged to
play ophslia II Is doubtful whether an
advance announcement Of any other ua-
ture could have created much more en-
thusiasm than the appearance Of these
two distinguished players. whose reunion
is an event OF great Importance 70 the
theatrical world.
It is a pity. for the sake OF the many
hundreds who were disappointed last
night BY being turned away from the
theater. after every available allotment
OF standing room had been sold. that the
increased interest excited by Mss Mar
loves appearance could not have also
carried with it an increase IN the capacity
OF the theater, but Il is q satisfaction
at least, 70 note that the trend Of public
fancy is still directed toward weIl-Dlayed
and well-prOduced classic drama. 10 an
equal degree with that Of vastly in
ferior entertainments, as is so frequently
charged.
House Is sold Out
The opportunity Mr.. Sothern has given
Washington the very last moment. practi-
cally. OF the present dramatic season. IS
one for which there IS ample cause for
felicitstion. The engagements Of a really
fine player such as he Is are. Of course,
far too short. and. as was the case last
week, result in many Of his admirers
being unable to secure seats. or even
admission 10 the playhouse
The Hamlet Of Nr. Sothern has been
with eminent propriety. acclaimed as the
best American Interpretation of the role
since the day OF Edwin Booth, but
whether or not the present generation
Of theater-gOers would accept Booth
with as great cordiality and approval as
they do SOthern is questionable. They
probably would not. due possibly more
10 the natural evolution which the art
Of acting has undergone in the last thirty
years, and the difference in receptiveness
between the audiences OF this and the
past generation. than because Of any
superiority which our greatest American
actor Of today bears toward his immor-
tailed predecessor.
Last night. after a rather tempestuous
week. divided somewhat unequaIIy be-
tween the strenuous Francois ViIlOn. the
crafty Richetieu, and the eccentric Dun
dreery. Mr.. Sothern seemed 10 have
reached q calm and q dignity which
placed his last performance above and be-
yond those given earlier in the engage
ment The simple dignity OF his first
appearance is entirely commendabie. TIE
self-ehacement that comes with genuine
grief. the shrinking from contact with
those about him. the repugnance borueJ
OF the already aroused suspicion OF the
king. were admirably conveyed in the
earlier scenes.
True Exponent of Shakespeare.
No finer acting Of the scene between
Hamlet and his fathers spirit could be
found. Mr.. Sothern Is a far too intellect
ual an actor 10 overlook for one instant
the supreme importance OF emphasizing
every speech. every gesture. every mean
Ing or suggestion in the lines OF Shake /
speare.
The reading both BY himself and his /
company is marked with that measured 1
dignity and fun expression. without the /
slightest tendency TO staginess or striving
for unnatural effects.
II IS an eloquent tribute to the improve /
nent In the acting Of Shakespeare in I
general and Hamlet in particular. thar
his play in which tragedians used 70 de-
,laim and gesticuiate 10 their hearts con
ent, and tear passion to tatters." too
has become, through the INTELLECTUALLY Of
'uch players as E. II. SOthern and Forbes
Robertson. one which may be acted IN a
Iuiet. forceful key. whereby the majesty
u the playwTight's conception is brought
,Gt 70 the fullest extent. and in which
he action. so far from being retarded or
is really developed 70 a great
II and more convincing degree. It fs as
hough Hamlet's advice TO the PLAYERS
having been so oft-repeated and become
% powerful a guidance to the people OF
he stage. that It has had its inevitabie \
fleet on the players OF the present gen
ration who approach their Shakespeare