The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-02
Robert B. Mantell
Presents macbeth -
At the Academy

Roert r. Nanteli presented Mac
beth" at the Academy last night and
demonstrated that he has some cap
tai actors in his company besides him.
self and Florence Rockwell.
Mr.. Mantel is splendid actor, as
most everyone who knows anything
about theatricafs ts wen aware. He
has magnificent presence, a good
voice, excellent enunciation and knows
every trek OF stage business. He can
play any part, even Shakespearian
Isssstss and make Il tremendous impress
sion on any audience. He can play
Macbeth in a manner that chai-
ienges comparison with any living
actor, but when all is said and done
his Macbeth might be labelled. King
Hano. for all the local color he gives
1t.
Somehow or other there is an i'm
preston that Macbeth was black
Scotchman, with a rawboned visage
and a fierce eye, "a fighter in battle, a
hard drinker, superstitious but mag
terful man. He had to be in order to
be Thane in his day and nation, He
had to be the strongest arm in a
strong armed band, the hafshest. the
boldest, the fercest of a wild crew In
order to hold his authority over them.
The Macbeth OF Robert b. Mantell
Is anything but this sort. He Ger
tainly is a dark and treacherous ap-
pearing gentleman, but he looks soft,
=ai=fest- at times. His mouth
would do very well for a sensual East
ern potenate and his moustache. worn
somewhat after the fashion affected
nv he Ilutr f@h tly },u hAtFs oil
pictures are accurate, might also do
service for that of General Khan,
the Tartar. Mr.. Mantells Masbeth is
,aitogethsr most gloomy person and
an arrant coward. VIII CHI no doubt
that tyrant might have become in any
other nat on, but hard fighting Scot
land. In the days of Sweyn and Dun
can, Macduff and Malcolm.
But perhaps such criticism is u lit
tie out of place. considering the really
excellent performance Of Shakespeare
thriller that Mr.. Mantell and his com
pany gave last night. II the play was
cut down to swift action and rewrit
ten by Paul Armstrong ana Wilson
Miner it would be probably the great
est thriller of all time 1t had the au-
dience at the Academy thrilled from
start to finish last night, and the pro-
longed applause that greeted the sew
erai scenes that served as climax 10
the various acts, must have delighted
the players.
Lady Macbeth is q part that many
women have tried to play and failed.
While Florence Rockwell is not great
in 1t she is very effective. In time
she VIII probably play 1t in manner
to please all but the most exacting
but at present her conception OF the
part does not seem clearly defined.
Fritz Leiber. the Macduff, Is a real
actor and when he learns not to saw
off his speeches in regular lengths he
will overcome his greatest fault. He
has personality. He should be a real
Shakespearian star. some day. for he
possesses the right spirit. Guy Linds-
ley Is also a finished actor, and II John
Burke, the Seyton. is the person in
the wonderful black wig. then he. too,
may be set down as one OF the elect.
The Porter OF Allen Thomas was a
masterpiece. Someone says it ought to
be but for ali that Mr.. Thomas is to
be congratulated OH his porter.
AS for the three witches--those
weird sisters three, who figure in ali
folklore, sometimes as the fates. or
nosns. and sometimes as gorgons. they
were enough like witches to make their
wssndarfui stea- seem real. - Double.
double. toll and trouble: fire burn and
cauldron bubble" or words to that
effect Macbeth" as presented by
Robert Mantell should satisfy any but
the captious.
JAY LEWIS.
At the Academy today Mr.. Mantell
will give THE Merchant of Venice"
at the matinee, and Richard III at
night. THE Call Of the Heart" will
be seen at the Bijou, matinee and
night. and the usual vaudeville and
moving picture entertainments will be
given at the Empire. Colonial and
Lubin.
Collier in .sNcvcr Say DIE
Lew Fields viii bring 10 the Acad-
envy thea.er on Monday and Tuesday
nights. William Collier, In a new play
entitled Never Say Die" Mr.. Col
lier has a quaint style OF his own
comedian OF the present day.
Golfers personal imagination and
unusual talent OF facial expressions.
are gwen wide latitude In MS new
Offering. Mr.. Golfers first big sue
cess YVES achieved In The Man From
Mexico" following this up by appear
ing in The Patriot" Caught In the
RAIN" On the Quiet" .sThe Dicta-
tor" "A Lucky star. .I'n be Hanged
IL / Do and Take My Advice" He
ID the lessee OF the William Collier
Comedy theater. New York. one OF
tho most popular Of the high priced
play houses Of the metropolis.
II was ut the Comedy theafer where
'Isunty Pulls Sthe strings scored its
bis success Az the prevent time
Nnx,thNr aslnGtAun II ~ Svtx4 vi - X ~ -