Arizona republican., 1913-05-25


 thing, boys. A wonderful thing" When Madame Sarah Bernhardt sailed away to France few days ago she carried with her one of the most remarkable testimonies of affection and appreciation ever bestowed upon an artist by the American world of art. It took the concrete form of a gold laurel wreath, purchased by hun dreds of the most notable representa- tives of the various branches of art acting. music, sculpture, painting and literature-which she has benefited during her long, varied and remark able career. The testimonial was not only to her marvellous powers as an actress-the greatest actress the world has ever known-but to her splendid wOmanhood, her indomitable spirit. and the countless good works, the in nuemrable charities and endless bene- factions she has conferred on the world at large.
 There is more wonderful figure before the world today than this splendid woman. In the natural course of events it is unlikely that she will ever be able to make a trip to this country again, though nothing seems impossible to Mme. Bernhardt and it is fitting that such people as David Belasco, Charles Frohman. Dan iel F'rohman, William Faversham and Brander Mathews, representing the various branches of the drama; De Wolf Hopper, comic opera; Mrs. Ed win Arden, the women's theatrical clubs; Mime. Lillian NOrdica, grand opera; Thomas A. Edison, science; Mrs. Maggie Cline. vaudeville; Will liam Dean Howells, literature; John w Alexander art; Walter Damrosch music, and William Winter. dramatic criticism, should resolve themselves into committee to offer to Mime. Bernhardt a token of love and appre- citation that should come from count less members of the various branches of the arts.
 The wreath is the design of John w. Alexander and is said to be of unusual beauty: each leaf is of gold and inscribed with the name of one of her stage creations.
 From every nook and corner of the country subscriptions have poured in. and when the wax replica</ of the wreath was placed on Mme Bern hardts head last Friday, the stage of the Palace theater, where the presentation was made. held what was probably the most remarkable representation of members of the1 world of art, science and letters, ever gathered together in America.
 MT Belasco eulogized the artist and her wonderful work and the presentation was then made by Mrs. Thomas Whiffen who, next to Mrs. Sol Smith, is the oldest actress in America. Much overcome and great ly excited, Mime. Bernhardt expressed her gratitude in mingled French broken English and tears; indeed the tears were so plentiful that for some time she was unable to speak al all
 "Iolanthe,' probably the least known here of the Gilbert and SuIIi- van operas, has achieved a tremen- dous success at the Casino, where it Is the last of series of revivals, including The Beggar Student" Patience" The Mikado," and Pima fore De Wolf Hopper. George Nc Farlane, Kate Condon, Anna Wheat on and George Aldrich. all scored hits and the unusually clever book and lyrics and Sullivan's beautiful, aI- though not very catchy music, have found great public favor It promises to be the most popular of all the Casino revivals. As a produc- tion it takes first rank and MT Will son who staged it and MT. Melville Ellis, the designer of the costumes, are receiving an unusual amount of praise from the critics
 Just before William Faversham sailed for London on the Oceanic last Saturday, he announced that he would make elaborate productions of "Othello'' and Hamlet and DOS sibly of Henry VIII," the produc- tion to be built in London by Joseph Harker, who was responsible for his wonderful Julius Caesar"
 A few years ago the idea of MT FaVersham attempting to play Iago or Hamlet would have created more or less amusement. but so great has been the growth of his art that now it greatest a great deal of interest There is no actor on the American stage who has made greater strides in the past few years than Mr. Faversham. Always deep student he has applied himself to the best there is in art and has not hesitat- ed to risk a great deal of money in following out his ideas. That he has been successful in spite of his | lieueHuOuS OuIldyS on f1erOQ' ana Julius Caesar is extremely gratf- flying and certainly no one is more deserving of success. Associated with MT Faversham in "Othello" will be R. D. Mclean, who will play the title role, Miss Ce- cilia Loftus as Desdemona and Miss Julie Opp (Mrs. Faversham) as Emalie
 As MT. FaVersham's tour will take him to the coast and as MT. Reeves is anxious to have him appear here, it is more than possible that we will