New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-03
FORBES-ROBERTSON
Begins His Farewell Tour at the
Sam S. Shubert Theatre.
"HAMLET" IS THE PLAY
Eminent English Actor and Ger
trude Elliott Warmly
Welcomed.

! Johnston Forbes-Robertson has declared
! that he wishes to retire in the fulness OF
| his career. and in that fulness New York
welcomed him back last night at the Shu-
| bert Theatre in Hamlet" His noble
voice has lost none Of its sorority. its
| neXibility. its trained readiness TO an
swer every demand made upon ii. His
face retains its mobility, its gyeat and
varied power of expression, and I'm his
| playing there is the same interest in his
| art as Of yore. Yes, Forbes Robertson
bids us farewell still at the height of his
! powers. He will leave with us when he
| goes one of the most cherished dramatic
| memories of our day.
II was a crowded house that had gath
cred to greet him, and one whose quality
gave the occasion its full significance.
The play was not the thing so much last
night as the player Applause that rose
to the intensity OF an ovation greeted him
on his first entrance In the train Of King
and Queen. and thereafter he was called
out again and again at the end OF the
second and third acts; and the progress
Of the play was occasionally stopped for
a moment while salvos of appreciation
punctuated his noble delivery of the great
speeches In which Hamlet" is so rich.
Here was what is said to be rapidly be-
coming a lost art at its highest and best
This was not Forbes Robertson first
/, appearance in the part in this city. but
1t was a doubled pleasure to discover mat
the distance of the intervening years had
not lent a deceptive enchantment TO the
memory-that his Hamlet really is what
then IL seemed, an exceptional perform
ance added TO the brief record Of its
class. No wonder that a New York audi
ence STAYED till the end 10 renew the
homage with which it had begun the
evening, or that it's outburst Of enthusi-
asm drew from the eminent actor brlet
speech Of thanks
1t was. however. Gertrude Elliott's first
appearance as Ophela before an Amerl-
can audience. and she earned the approval
that reached it's climax at the end OF the
fourth act She looks the part TO pertec-
ton. of course. but she feels 1t as we'll
I'm a gentle. maidcnly way that does not
make appeal in vain.
Even 50 smooth and rapid perform
ance Of Hamlet" as that OF last night
lasts long beyond the hour OF IL, when
the reporter OF things dramatic for a
morning paper must set about his evening
task. 1t will. therefore, be fairer' per-
hans. II discussion Of the merits OF the
supporting company is deferred to later
day These English players Will appear
here in a widely varied repertory, ana
will no doubt be seen to fuller advantage
by and by
Brief mention may be made, here now
ever. Of Tan Robertson's garrulous 20
lonius. Of the write Laertes Of Percy
Rhodes. the First Player Of Robert At
klns and the two grave diggers OF H.
Athol Forde and :. r. Pearce. AdeHne
Bourne's queen will serve to fix attention
upon her IN her future appearances. wal
ter Ringhams King Is Of the VIKING race
4 word must be said In conclusion ABOUT
the theatre which the Messrs. ShuDert
have built i'm memory Of their brother
tx one Of the haIfdsomest piayhouses IN
the city superby decorated throughout
in dull gold sage green and amethyst
The effect is rich. but In the best Of quiet
taste In fact. the Shubert Theatre ranks
next to the Century in the beauty Of us
interior.