The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-15
Dramatic
Comment

Merle Maddern, who appears In the
leading feminine role Of Marsnah lr
"Bismet." with Otis Skinner. is daugh-
ter OF California. Her father, William
A Maddern. long has been known In
San Francisco business circles, while her
mother. prior TO her death. was A lead
ing spirit in the literary life OF that city
Mrs. Maddern achieved note as a thinker
and writer on the subjects OF modern
literature and drama. Her powers OF
analysis. criticism and Interpretation
were distinguished. Miss Madderns read
ing and studies were directed seduously
by her mother, who warmly encouraged
her ambition for the stage. To acquire
familiarity with the theatcr she went
on during San Francisco engagements OF
Madame Bernhardt and Maude Adams
and later attained some experience In an
Oakland stock company.
In the autumn of 1907 Miss Maddern
went to New York to fulfill an engage
ment under Harrison Grey Fiske's man
OF Mrs. Fiske the early part OF that sea.
son as LIZ in Tess OF the d'Urbervilles''
and Erieda in Leah Neschna." When
Mr., F'iske produced Edward Shedon's
Salvation Nell'' in New York the fol-
lowing season. Miss Maddern appeared as
Sal. The next spring she was seen in
Dickenson's "The Unbroken Road" which
Mr.. Fske produced while Bertha Kalish
was starring under his direction. The
next season Miss Maddorn id IVA MAS s;H seen in
originating the light comedy part OF
Alicia Pond After that she returned to
Mrs. Fiske's support and was seen In
several roles, notably Dina Dorf in "Pil-
lars of Society" Mrs. Leavitt In Mrs.
Bumpstead- Leigh Lady Jane In
Becky SHARP and the Spiri, Of the
Mother in IIauptmann's ''Hannele. At
the opening OF the season OF 1910, Miss
Maddern appeared at the New theatcr
In New York as MIX in Maeterlincks
a1Gsd sge whfe Se Nj sisks pEe
theater in New York the same season.
she was cast for the part Of the slave
girl. Miskah. which she played through
out the New York run and all of last
season on tour. Her development had
been so continuous and successful that
the present season Mr.. Fiske selected her
Halls daughter, in the Knoblauch play.
Miss Maddern possesses charm. beauty
and mentality OF a high order. together
with sympathetic spiritual quality that
has been revealed most appreclaIively III
several roles.
e, n. Sothern and bis company Of fifty
players come to the Salt Lake theatcr
on Friday and Saturday. February q and
IS, for an engagement covering three
performances. during which two plays will
be seen. Hamlet" will he given a single
performance on Saturday night. the FRI
day night and Saturday matinee being
devoted TO Justin Huntley McCarthy'3
roman ntic play. 'If I Were King, we'll
remembered as ono OF Mr., Sothern's most
remarkable successes. and now in its pro-
ductlon. duplicating all Its old-time popu-
larity, The drama was revived at the
beginning OF the season for use at
wednesday matinees only, but its en-
thuslastc reception speedily took 1t from
the prescribed limits, and so potent has
been its lure with tbeatersoers that Mr..
Sothern is now making II distinct fes
ture Of his repertoire II will bo re-
called as not only intensely interesting in
theme and treatment. hut Of uncommonly
fine literary quality az well, and IL
laced Mr. Sothern in the front rank OF
romantic actors. The complete original
cast selected for tho revival will be soen
in this city. Unusual praise has been
won by Elizabeth Valentine and Helen
Singer for their fine work I'm tho chief
feminine roles Miss Valentine has also
scored a notable success as opheiia in
"Ha inlet"