The Detroit times., 1909-01-13
THE STAGE
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

Ss-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.
Small wonder that those who hope
for the elevation or the stage and
proper appreciation OF Snapesperean
and other classical, eleyating drama,
roIe with regret a growing interest
in lighter class and more impossible
and suggestive problem plays. Shakes
pere has left tn the world priceless,
matchless heritage In his plays, but
without capable, intelligent interpre-
tation they are as tedious and uninter-
esting as the finest piano responding
to the indiscriminate pounding or a
family pet during practice honr.
Robert Mantell and company were a
distinct disappointment in the pres
entation OIL Shakespeare's Hamlet" In
the Detroit opera house Tuesday night,
but, TO be, entirely accurate. the bur
den OF the blame was on the com
pany," Tor with the possible excep-
tions OF Guy Lindsey, very adequate
and satisfaction Horatio; Miss Marie
Booth Russell as Ophelia. and Miss
lillian Kingsbury as Gertrude, the SUP
porting cast held mirrors up 10 nat
ure" that must have been ieftovers
from a dism antled hall OF mirth. The
mercury was entirely worn OF the re-
iector In the hands Of George Turner
as Polonius, and through the entire
absence OF the first indication OF old
age in stenciled traces OF time. one
was forced TO conclude that he had
been practicing the crab act suggested
by Hamlet when he points out that
DAl ha
ii like a crab, he could crawl back
wards.
While his efforts In the character of
the Melancholy Dane show much seri-
Gus, careful study and an intelligent
grasp OF the main requirements or the
Characterization. still there are defects
in Mr.. Mantelrs rendition. the more
noticeable when In this character we
compare him with Booth, Irving or
Sothern. In some scenes. notably
where the play is on 10 test the con-
science OF the king" and the midnight
interview with guilty. distracted Ger
trude. Mr.. Mantell moves his audience
TO the nights of most absorbing inter-
est. and for time at least one IL not
conscious that Hamlet" is being
played" Such an experienced. studi-
Gus and capable artist as Mr. Manteii
could scarcely fall to make the char
acter of Hamlet interesting and quite
satisfactory, but his present very IN
adequate support only tends TO nelgnt-
en- and make more noticeable some
glaring defects In his voice and read
ing. In some speeches where ne
deems rapidity necessary for proper
effect his lines are absolutely inaudi-
ble TO the most attentive. In the more
impassioned speeches there Is an ap-
parent struggle for breath at the end
of each sentence that mars the beauty
of the lines and makes too pronounced
n seeming struggle for force ana I'M
pressiveness. In the character OF
Lear" these defects become valuable
assets to the actors equipment ana
Mr.. Mantell Is unquestionably the pest
Lear since the days OF Edwin Forrest
With each recurring season there IS
very marked improvement In the
quality of Mr. Mantell's Shakesperean
characterisations, and II Is matter
of sincere regret to his army OF Detroit
admirers thar he cannot have a sup
port that would be In keeping with
the magnificent scenery and staging
and his own capabilities.
Romeo and Juliet" is played Wed
nesday afternoon "Richelieu." Wed
nesday evening; The Merchant OF
Venice" Thursday night and Satur-
day matinee; Friday night. for the
arst time in Detroit. Louis Xl." will
be presented and the engagement VIII
close Saturday night with Macpe'h'
At last We are to see the real Flui-
~ Ruffies." Manager Charles iron
man has arranged to send Miss HAT
tie Williams and the big original sup
porting company of 20 comedians TO
the Detroit opera house the nrst hall
of next week for an engagement OF
four performances beginning Monday
night. Fluffy Rufies" Is by John ).
McNally, the author OF Roger BROS
successes. The music Is by w. H.
Francis: the lyrics by Wallace irwin.
There are 20 song numbers and many
surprising novelties in the productioh.
The original company to man ana
the New York production OF Ihe
Great Divide" are with Henry Miller
on his last tour as stephen Ghent.
He will play the latter half OF next
week in Detroit. Miss That's Lawton
il the only newcomer in the cast Oh
William Vaughan Moody's play, which
after two seasons Of practically I'M
diminished audiences appears to nave
made good as 1.-The great American
play" Since Mr.. Miller last played
"Stephen Client" here his impersona-
ton has ripened until at last man
with a soul which Is undeniably Am
erican may be seen on the stage. The
rugged outlines Of Stephens character
have melted during Mr.. Miller's long
work on il until this season the harsh
ness has gone and only the vigor ana
the simple human nature of the man
remain.
| Busy Izzy's Doodle" in which com
zeal little George Sidney will appear
in the Lyceum next week Is said 10
be a musical farce in the best express
sion of that term. Mr.. Sidney is an
unctuous and painstaking comedian.
whose every move, gesture or facial
expression Is the signal Of merriment.
and his past six years as a musical
comedy star have been usually sue
cessful Sidney is surrounded by nifty,
and the action Of the piece froiics
/ =.