The Detroit times., 1909-01-14
THE STAGE
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

Small wonder that those who hope
for the elevation of the stage and a
proper appreciation OF Shapesperean
and other classical. elevating drama,
rote with regret a growing interest
IL lighter class and more impossible
and suggestive problem plays. Shakes
pere has left TO the world d priceless
inatchless 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 OF
family pet during practice honr.
Robert Mantell and company were a
distinct disappointment in the pres
! entation or Shakespeare's Hamlet, III
the Detroit opera house Tuesday night.
but, to be, entirely accurate, the bur
den OF the blame was on the com
pany," for with the possible excep-
lions OF Guy Lindsey, a very adequate
and satisfactory Horatio; Miss Marie
Booth Russell as Ophelia, and Miss
Lillian Kingsbury as Gertrude. the sup
porting cast held mirrors up TO nat
ure" that must have been leftOvers
from a dismantled hall OF mirth. The
mercury was entirely worn on the re-
fiector 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
Polonius would be as old as himself
II like 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 TO 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 Is not
conscious that Hamlet is being
played" Such an experienced, stuul-
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 height
en- and make more noticeable some
glazing defects I'm his voice and read
ing. In some speeches where he
deems rapidity necessary Tor proper
effect his lines are absolutely inaudi-
bic 10 the most attentive. In the more
impassioned speeches there is an ap'
parent struggle for breath at the enh
OF each sentence that mars the beauty
of the lines and makes too pronounced
seeming struggle for force and I'M
pressiyeness. In the character or
Lear" these defects become valuable
assets to the actors equipment AND
MIR. Mantell is unQuestionably the best
Lear since the days OF Edwin Forres'.
With each recurring season there -
very marked improvement In the
quality of Mr.. Mantells ShaEespereah
characterizations, and II Is matter
OF sincere regret to his army OF Detroit
admirers that ne cannot have sup
port that would be In keeping VITA
the magnificent scenery and staging
and his own capabilities.
Romeo and Juliet" is played We'd
nesday afternoon: "Richelieu, Wed
Uesday evening; THE Merchant or
Venice" Thursday night and Satur-
day matinee; Friday night, for the
first time in Detroit. Louis Nj. VII,
be presented and the engagement VIII
close Saturday night with Macbeth.
At last We are TO see the real "Fluf-
~ Ruffies" Manager Charles From
man has arranged TO send Miss hat
RE Williams and the big original sup
porting company of 70 comedians TO
the Detroit opera house the first halr
OF next week for an engagement OF
four performances beginning Monday
night. Fluffy Ruffies' is by John j.
McNally, the author of Roger Bros.
successes. The music Is by w. +.
francis; the lyrics by Wallace Irwin.
There are 20 song numbers and many
surprising novelties in the production'
rho original company TO man and