Evening star., 1923-02-13
: ADJUSTMENTS
ERT.GARRICK- -"Othello. :"

SD UbEhI-Gdnh4Oh- OtuCAAo'
The magnetic force of Walter
Hampden's stage presentations, 10
which has been added, as the years
pass. a growing understanding or
the subtleties of the poetic drama
of Shakespeare, need no better eX-
qualification than that which was
given last evening at the Shubert-
Garrick, when this ambitious Amerl-
can actor offered "Othello as the
opening selection of weeks repor-
toire Mr.. Hampden gradually mas
increased his list of classic roles
without losing any of the effective
ness Of those with which he has pre-
of the Moor of Venice, one OF ms
more recent undertakings. ne
achieves distinction which places his
interpretations among those wntcn
will be long remembered in theatricai
annals.
For one who maintains so fine a
balance as he does between the phys1-
cal manifestations of emotions ana
the intellectual qualities of the chief
character of q tragedy which mas
survived through the centuries. force
ful throughout, it is extremely credit
able that he is able to maintain a
varied program of eight perform
ances each week, devoted largely to
tragedy, without revealing any in
dications Of excessive strain upon his
resources. There is even evidence
of reserve power as he approaches
the more eXacting scenes of the play.
No tragedian has surpassed that
record.
"Othello'' is n play of action
throughout. employing for it's theme
that most powerful of emotions, the
jealousy of one who in entering upon
the marriage state has dedicated all
that he is or possesses to the object
of his love. The unreaSonableness of
the developments does not detract
from the reality of the tragic events,
although the great dramatist him
self has said in the lines of the play;
o. thou 0thelo. that vert once good;
Fail'n in the practice of damned slave;
What shall be said to thee!
Mr. Hampden is well endowed by
nature with the qualities to repre-
sent the masterful Moor of noble
blood who has won renown by mill
tary achievement, and realizes his
Importance in the world of affairs.
In his earlier scenes there is in his
acting the dignity of the warrior who
is capable in other respects. He also
interprets with fine taste the modesty
with which Othello approaches the
subject OF his love for Desdemona
father for marriage alliance with
one of the Moorish race.
In his presentation of the charac-
ter he gives emphasis to the fact
that the insults of the father of his
bride have themselves laid the foun-
dation for the implanting in his mind
of the seeds of jealousy. Undeserv-
ingly he has been condemned. and as
that rankles in his mind, the malici-
Gus suggestions of 1ago that the wife
has been unfaithful finds fertile soil
Mr.. Hampden. apparently for this
reason. permits the attitude of jeal-
ouSy to develop very quickly, with
resultant ruin of noble nature. In
the later scenes. the height of emo
fion is reached when he feels con-
WINGED of his wife's dishonor, while
that frenzy gives way to calm de-
termination as he inf1icts death upon
Desdemona. Then follows that most
effective period of grief and remorse
when he finds that he had been duped
into committing foul crime. Mr.
Hampden receives effective support
from other members of the cast.
Miss Mabel Moore. as Desdemona
Is graceful and convincing. with a
noticeable consistency in her presen-
tation of the trusting wife, and never
strikes a false note in infection or
pose. going as calmly to her death
at the hands Of a loved one as If it
were part of the accepted order
of things.
The Iago of William Sauter, when
compared with some of the historic
Characterization of that role, is per-
haps more obvious in it's villainy
than would seem to be required for
the effective accomplishment Of the
ends sought There is a lack of the
smooth, convincing sarcasm of the
crafty plotter. Yet Mr.. Sauter is a
foil for the chief character and does
not lack a certain degree of power
In his most important scenes.
The Cassie of Ernest Rowan has a
romantic quality which is appealing,
and he is an essential part of the
scenes that are unfolded. AS the
tragedies of Shakespeare require,
however some comedy relief, 1t might
be wished that the intoxication scene
were more elaborately presented In
the essential realm of stage busi-
ness"
Another who shares in some of the
important scenes and gives definite
Character to one phase of the play
Is Miss Mary Hall. as Emilia, the
wife OF Iago. Her final denunciation
of IaEo is effectively declaimed. The
other members of the company, all
sharing in the credit for a well round
ed performance. are Edwin Cushman,
as the Duke of Venice; Allen Thomas,
as Brabantio: p j. Kelly, as Gratiano
L. Norman Hammond as Lodovlco
lie Fol Operti. as Roderigo; Reynolds
Evans. as Montana; Elsie Herndon
1Iearns, as Blanca, and William H.
stevens, as messenger.
The modern settings of the produc-
tion are effective and the bedcham
bcr scene is picturesque.
"Othello" will be repeated Saturday
Debts will be given tonight