The New York herald., 1922-05-21

New York Herald Bureau.
London. May TO-
FTER achieving the distinction
"A here of 1.-The best Macbeth in
\ living memory" James K
Hackett is now considering an offer to
do OtheIo at the Haymarket Thea
ter, and again to produce Macbeth"
in a Shakespearean revival with a set
ting as classical as anything Sir Henry
Irving ever knew. Mr.. Hackett's plans
are indefinite, but he proposes to re-
main in England for some weeks
lonGet, and it will be several months
before he is again seen on an Ameri-
can stage
Mr.. Hackett's original triumph, at
the Aldwych in November of 1920, has
been followed by a series of honors
never before paid to an American
actor. They eliminated during the
Shakespeare anniversary celebration
at Stratford-o on Avon, where he played
Othello at the famous Memorial
Theater before a distinguished au-
dience, including many of the fore
most students and lovers of Shake
speare in the British Isles and on the
Continent.
At first he astonished them. then
rather puzzled them in a scene or two
but quickly won their admiration by a
portrayal of the Moor which was new
here. He made Othello a very human
person, gallant as a soldier, happy as
a bridegroom, sincere in his friend
sEips, fearful in MS anger and deeply
pathetic in his melancholy
The English had nor been accustomed
to see the brighter side of the Moor s
character quite as Mr.. Hackett did II
for them. The American created deep
impression, and 1t has led to a demand
for his OtheHo in London. Furthermore.
when he first came TO LondCn to play
he was known only by reputation.
which was discounted. because the Eng
lish could not imagine an American
with Yankee twang" who might ap
proach their ideals in Shakespearean
art.
II wouldn't miss this for quids--this
Yankee trying to do Macbeth" re-
marked a gentleman to his friend in a
stall on the opening night But after n
few scenes he said. BLAST me--he' s
good but say, he cawn't be an Am err
ican."
And thus Mr.. Hackett made good. and
since then he has won distinctions in
Shakespeare that no English actor of
any period can claim. The invitation TO
Mr.. Hackett from the Ministry of Fine
Arts in Paris, made official by being
sent through the American Ambassador
IN London, to play in Paris. was ar
honor which was perhaps more appre-
ciated in England than in America.
ANaI fsr tia G.s.4
OF drama Mr.. Hackett successfully
played Shakespeare In Paris in English.
This gave the English critics a higher
appreciation Of Mr.. Hackett. He be-
came the first English speaking actor
to be decorated with the Cross of the
Legion d'Honneur for dramatic art
Then followed the Stratford appearance
when critics and students gathered to
regard the American in the new light
of his stronger reputation. They were
unanimous in giving him place wit1
the best Interpreters of Shakespeare
the English stage has ever known. And
II Mr.. Hackett arranges to play again in
London he will have the advantage in
advance of being known and appre-
ciated.
From Mr.. Hacketts personal point OF
view he is pardonably proud of his
European successes. He has the highest
praise for an English theater audience
He says he was given every possible
chance to make good. and he confesses
that he was amazed by the ready man.
ner In which the English critics az
cepted him.
Life's Happicst Experience.
IT came here with grave misgivings."
he said when / saw him this week in his
Park Lane apartment. where he Is
living with his wife. known on the stage
as Beatrice Beckley. MY friends
warned me against playing in London.
because they said no American could
put over Shakespeare there. I looked
upon the ordeal as the test of my career.
But II was not an ordeal In any respect /;
it was the happiest experience of my
life
when the first curtain went up j
could feel the coldly critical demeanor
of the house, but the ice began 10 melt
In the very first scene. They liked me
and they we're not too proud to let me
know Il. The fact that | was an Ameri.
can might perhaps have heightened their
interest in my work. but it certainly did
not in the least affect their judgment
adversely.
'I was particularly impressed by the
cordial cooperation of my English COM