The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-12

In this Gaby Deslysian age when vast theatre going public fairly clamors for sensation-for the Salome dance. for the modern problem play. for the sinister badge of the Bacchanale with its halo of ribadry and fancifu illusion OCT corps de ballet and chorus for the interpolation of biblical lore, the Nunc Dimitis and the Magnificent ehanted in the semi-religious play. and other peans of resounding song. echoing though the theatrical horizon it is delightful to see an actor who has the courage of his convictions.
 By the courage of conyictions,' I mean the temerity to adhere to the classics to Shakespeare and Shakespearean tradi- tions, as the eminent tragedian, Mr. E. II. Sothern is doing, and doing successfully.
 Gifted by nature with all the requisites of the great actor, mentally largely and fully equipped physically, "the glass of fashion," MT. sothern in spite of the taste of modernity, steadfastly upholds the tra- ditions of the stage-the best the noblest and the worthiest in his presentation of Shakespeare.
 And above all to Hamlet--whieh he free ly admits Is his favorite role-the master piece of the great Bard of Avon, and about which lsmore fol-de-rol has been imagined and set down in print than any other work of mortal mind with the possi- ble exception of the Book of Genesis.
 To talk with MT. Sothern about Shakes peare-and especially about Hamlet is a rare prvilege-his broad knowledge of the play. his keen sense of humor-a fact by the way which keeps his conception of the Prince of Denmark from being mourn full and sombre-the real human side of the man, which again manifests itself in discussion of whether Hamlet was fat or lean. doublety by the way, that which never existed for an instant in Shakes peare's mind. since he styled his hero the mould of form"-all this and more com blned with marked degree of magnet ism makes MT. Sothern an ideal person in the hands of the interviewer"
 Being received most cordially yesterday by MT. and Mrs. Sothern Qovely Julia Marlowe) when approached on the sub ject of a chat with each of the stars" MT. Sothern very candidly said that He always did the talks for the family, as Mrs. Sothern has always been very much opposed to interviews"
 "Of course, you know that I want you to talk with me about Shakespeare" I commenced What, fin your opinion. is the main thing an actor must do to popularize the classics today?"
 Hard work and good acting are the first requisite that go towards making Shakespeare popular" MT. Sothern an swered Shakespeare IS popular if well acted-he doesn't haNe 10 be made so. To keep Shakespeare popular much at tentlon must be given to detail. The minor parts must be well acted. not alone the principals. The production must be adequate pictorially"
 Keeping the same company as you do from year to year should help in winning that asset.' I suggested.
 Tt does to a degree" Mir Sothern re- piled, but. of course, in a company as large IS we carry--over 50 people-and seven carloads of scenery. there neces- sarily must be changes and often''
 ''The managerial dictum that Shake speare spells ruin does not maintain in your case, evidently" I suggested.
 Ut never has, not even in the early days of my Shakespearean experiences. said the leading actor of the classics on the English speaking stage today My first production of Hamlet in 1898 was successful and I have never found 1t otherwise"
 (Which proves that the public DOES want Shakespeare. then,' I said
 "It proves that the public will pay to see Shakespeare if 1t is confderf" that the producer is giving the best produo- tion and the best acting he is capable of"
 Have you any new. productions under way?" I asked.
 Mrs. sothern and I include seven plays" said Mir. Sothern. fin our reper- toire now, and we are working on Othel- To, Cymoeline and King Lear. Mrs. Soth- ern has always wanted to play Cordelia, the sweetness and the beauty of the char acter appeals to her very strongly while I have naturally wanted to play Lear'' E Do you find that the Comedies of Shakespeare are as well received by the public as the tragedles?" I asked
 'Formeriy they were not" said Mir. Sothern. Ut takes a more alert mind to appreciate the comedies, but with the tragedies there is always interest-blood and thunder-always something to hold the attention. At the present time the comedies are as well received as the tragedies"
 Had you always meant to be Shake spearean actor?" I asked.
 70, yes. It was my father's wish, and. indeed, his wish that he should be one. but fortune-luck-what you will-often takes one into other channels, as it did him. I was a mere boy of 19 when first joined Mccullough in London. I was studying painting then, but I found that painters seldom make their way from the beginning and I had to do that. so made my affiliations with the stage. There one earns money while getting the ex- perience. All my training was for Shakes peare. Frederick Warde. by the way. was a member of McCullough's com- papy at that time. When started out