Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-19

y,
affairs comment on the merit OF a play
nv nerformer is sometimes liable TO
devotion almost the warmth OF po1tcai
-I,iscussion There was decidedly an ad-
Verse impression in advance OF the APP
Dearance here of Mr.. Keenan, as Cassius.
Precedent has its influence in suldins
opinion as to theatrical matters, as IL mas
In affairs of more serious punhc con-
Germ In a Shakespearean play IL Is
usually expected that the player OF ID
classic character will apply his EFFORTS 10
a study of bygone masters, happy TO 1ol-
low unchallenged in their footsteps III ne
cannot excel them in their own lines ME-
-Faversham does this with brilliant success
In the delineation of Marc Antony. He
recognizes the role one OF picturesque
dash and without sacrifice OF Vlrliif!'
preserves the luxury and conVivlah'S
which rendered Antony in some stages oA
his career the sheerest sybarite Rhe-
toricalIy the character is respondent al
most to fiambuoyancy. MIR. Favershs>ih'
while of necessity bound to tradition in
his study of the role. does not dispense
entirely with original concept. He makes
fhe gentle affection that existed between
him and the dead Caesar the main motive
of his magnificent appeal. The demon
stration is of a man whose pest
mowers are brought into action by su-
irene and generous impulse that over
comes the habit of a rather languid con-
science Mr. Faversham's Antony is ad-
.mirable psychologically we'll as the
tatricaIly: a worthy specimen in the gal
.lery of stage portraiture that has made
this fascinating character the object OF
exceptional talent and especial care.
The personal note in the representation
of Cassius by Mr. Keenan, has the
sharp. uncompronising challenge of the
.bugle. 1t sets the usual critical stand
ards at defiance. This Cass-us aeIends
himself harshIy, uncompromisinsly and
without remorse He snarls conventional
tastes into subsection. His quarrel
seems to be no less with the Brutus OF
the play than with the Cassius of the
popular imagination the Cassius of
graceful appearance, declamatory ele-
gance and fit. even when quarrelsOme, to
serve as model of statuesque elegance.
Mr.. Keenan, is no picture card CaSsiuS.
He is angular and severe. towering in his
rage and impassioned in his every eX-
preston. 1t is the result which only a
Thorough and skillful student of modern
the human expression which considers
habit OF life and the characteristics which
they would develop with scientific re-
lentlessness.
Mr.. Burton Churchills Brutus was all
that the most faithful advocate of con-
ventional Interpretation could desire. His
method is calm, and. so far external
effect is concerned, irreproachable. The
best actors fall into curious nliSadven-
lures In interpreting Shakespeare In
this production when Brutus called for
his book Monday night the boy Lucius
obligfngly stepped forward through a. GEN.
fury or so and produced volume which
looked as if it might have come from
circulating library around the corner. The
book in this form was not known for
some centuries after the death of Brutus.
1t Is true that Shakespeare contains
many reckless anachronisms, but 1t is
not likely that any reliable version of
his work provides for this particular kind
of book. The mistake is a common one
among the most eminent players The
death scene Of Brutus that evening was
d-startling anatomical revelation. After
plungtng his sword into his breast Brutus
neither withdrew it nor allowed 1t to re-
main fixed The weapon clattered to the
-Aoor in such a way as to indicate that
The Roman patriot, by superhuman
Strength. had plunged the weapon en-
tirely through himself
When ''Kismet" left Washington last sea-
son it was not thought that so complete
and smooth a performance could be i'm
proved on. Yet improvement has &C.
exerts fascination that is likely to en-
dure for many seasons to come
= Eddie Foy has Joined the ranks of the
sevivalists- He does not go in for GIL
bert & Sullivan. like De Wolf Hopper.
nor for Shakespeare. like Mr.. Faversham.
but contents himself with a revival of
The modern farce. THE Man From Mex
Eco" Mr.. Foy has embellished 1t with
Song and costuming and has made a
whirlwind athletic display to serve all
the purposes of great dramatic eli
max Eddie Foy himself says that he is
a clown: which would indicate that in ad-
dition to being a stage entertainer he is
something of critic.
- Prophesy: 1.-The Governors Lady" will
be a display of Belasco's skill as pro-
Queer of modern drama. with human in
terest preponderating over scenic ef
fects. 1t will suggest comparison with
The Woman" produced here last sea-
son, In the skill with which everyday peo-
pie and their homes haunts are made
to compel attention. Lew Dockstader
will succeed in telling the town some HUI
NITROUS things that 1t did not know be-
fore and George Primrose will dance In
such a manner as to prove that this par
ticuar style of exercise promotes long
life and happiness. Chauncey Olcott will
smile irresistibly and sing sweetly on
the slightest provocation in a play which
will be almost precisely like those he has
previously done with the exception of the
title PHILANDER JOHNSON.
LADDERS FAREWELL IN 1914
Harry LADDERS Christmas present TO
Mrs. Lauder. given al a holiday dinner in
the home of William Morris, his manager.
was the promise of the Scottish comedian
that he would retire from the stage to
private life Christmas day, 1914, after
farewell tour of the world
The actor declared that by that time his
earnings will have netted him 100000.
portion of this will be devoted to the
purchase of a highland estate adjoining