THE STAGE IN" THE STATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2151, 16 May 1895, Page 37

THE STAGE IN" THE STATES.

(Specially Compiled yon. tub Witnkss.) Dkak Pasquin,— Of Beerbohm Tree's Hamlet a leading critic writc3 :-" Throughout tLe toinewhat extensive range of his former creations submitted to our view ho had so thoroughly displayed his methods of acting, so completely shown the utmost c6nfines of his powers, that a jus-t and even analytical criticism of his Hamlet might safely have been written in ad vac cc of his pcrformauce. In this role, as in every other in which he has been seen, ho commands respect aria holds attention ia every scene. Moreover, as in all of bis creations, his Hamlet displajs close, conscientious, and most intelligent study. . . . Mr Tree's make-up, while not entirely unique, is at least peculiar and equally commendable. He weaiv» a wig of flawing blonde h.iir, while upon hiss upper lip and chin appears a hirsute gtowth that has never known the onslaught of a razor. In spite, however, of the many and great merits of Mr Treo'B impersonation, his Hamlet is not a satisfactory performance. The melancholy prince, given to thought and self-communing, ia in his hands too nervous. In the effort to throw lifcht upon the text by intelligent and appropriate action Mr Tree has overloaded his perfoimance with detail, aud we arc constantly reminded of the presence of the actor when wo would be better content to see only the student. The shortcomings in hii Hamlet, however, it would be unjit t to call faults, for they are beyond his power to correct, being due to his lack of the proper teinpeiament and the rigidity of his vocal tones. Mr Tree evidently cannot be su'jyed by the softer and gentler emotions, nor can he in any manner adequately give them expression. Of his entire performance hits interviews with Ophelia and the closet tcene were the most unsatisfactory. In the latter scene he displayed much of nngtr, but nought of sorrow, and the closing words of this interview with his mother were robbed of all hint of filial love and duty. His reading was in the main satisfactory, at least to the intelligence if not to the heart, but there were frequent slurriDga and actual mispronunciations of terminable syllables that were surptiiiug in so well studied a performance. .... His support was not only good, but wa3 of a degree of excellence that few recent Hamlets have been bletscd with " The 150 th performance of "A Milk White Flag," at Hoyt's Theatre on Febmary 21, was made a souvenir occasion, handsome white feather fans being issued. Shakespeare's comedy, "Two Gentlemen of Verona," was first produced in the States by Mr and Mrs Charles Kean at the old Park Theatre, New Yoik, on October 6, 1816, since when it baa not been revived until la&t week at Daly's Theatre, when Ada Rehan was the Julia. The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce has welcomed presidents, senators, congressmen, and sprigs of royalty upon its floor. Actors have also been lcceived there, but Pauline Hall was the first fair favourite of the footlights to enter the rostrum. She is a Cinciunati girl, and it was here that her early trials prefaced her triumph. Pauline Hall was touched with the work of the Coffman Minion, and evinced a desire to contribute to the good cause. The Rev. John 'i. Coffman gladly accepted her offer of a benefit performance, and the merchants on 'Change gladly endorsed the idea. On the eve of Washington's Bnthday an auction sale of the boxes tcok pUce at that institution for the affair, booked tor February 23. Premiums ran to lOdcl. There was cheering and hand clapping when Pauline Hall, escorted by President James M. Glenn, of the chamber, and followed by Mayor John A. Caldwell, proceeded to the rostrum. Madge York (Winifi«d Margaret Drysdale), an actrets who was shot and killed by James JJ. Gentry on February 17 at Philadelphia, Pa , was a member of " A Bagßage Check" Company, , and on the date mentioned was in her room at Zeisse's Hotel with Edna Clark, when Mr Gentry, a mem. berof "A Back Number" Company, entered the room. Report goes that he and Miss Yorke were engagid to bo man-icd. On walking into the room he asked Miss Yorke why she had not met him at Jersey pity, Her reply was that she had kept the appointment, but that he had not. He asked her to kiss him, nnd on her refusing to do bo until ho had given her a propsr explanation he drew a revolver, and holding it close to Miss Yotke's face fired three shots, any one of which would have proved fatal, and death cccuired while she was being removed to the Pennsylvania Hospital. In the excitement that followed the shooting Gentry escaped, but was arrested three days after in Philadelphia. On his arrest he wa3 found with a fractured skull, one rib broken, and three st»b wounds over the heart, where he had cut himself with a small penknife. Miss Yorke, who was only 24 years of af,e, made her nrst appearance on the stage a3 a chorus girl in The Grand Duchess" in 1890 at the Casino, New York, and aho in the chorus of " The Brazilians and '• La Fille do Madame An«ot." During the long run of "Poor Jonathan" the was selected as understudy for Fanny Rice, and was given a small part in fl Apollo." In the choius of The Tyroleans." November 1891, die was understudy for Marie Tempest, and sang successfully the latter s music for several nishts, Maiie Tempest having met with an accident. Leaving the Casino, she joined Evans and Hoey'o " A Parlour Match ' Company, and afterwards appeared at the Madison Square Theatre, New York, In Hpyt'g "A Trip to Chinatown " Company. Then joined " The Hoes and Hoss" Company, and met Jame3 B. Gentry. After a year's rest with her parents Miss Yorke joined "A Baggage Check" Company. Gentry, whose right name is Donatello, is an Italian, and was formerly on the variety stage. The funeral, which took place on February 21, was largely attended by the profession, the coffin being covered with floral offerings.

At EngeVs Pavilion, Chicago, recently. Profee* spr Alf ltickhoff, the crack shooter, on his t\veu« tieth and last shot of an exhibition, misled tha tai get placed on tho brea&tof his as-is'nnt, Wm. H. Hibcrle, inflicting a wound in the ab 'omen. Haberlo w.-s tiken to Alexian Brothers' Hospital, and although the physioijiis there say the wound must pruva fatal in a few hours he is still alive. Professor Puekhoff was arrested, but will doubtless be acquitted. The Tiipu Opera House, Hamilton, New York, wns burned down on February 19. The New York Tribune published a story of the marriage of idaFloiine Ledcrer with Gcorga W. Ledcrer. Ida Florino didn't like thin, so brought a suit against the Tribune for 50,000d0l damages, and was awarded a verdict of six cents ! Mrs Murphy, wife of William E. Murphy, late of the Four Emeralds, died on February 18 iv Jersey City. Gcoi ge Schrode, of tho Four Schrode Brothers, acrobats, now with the nun'ou Company, is insano. Early one morning rerontly he waa found trying to enter tho Boston (Mas*.) Theatre. Bis mania is that he is supreme in his ppeujlty, and that jealous rivals are endeavouring to ruin him. James Britton is nuking a success with Felix M'Glennou's new song, "To err is human, to forgive divine," at Keith's Union Square Thoatre, in the singing of which he introduce 10 dissolving views illustrating the various subjects : contained in the ballad. Lulu Muller recently plnyed with &uccc3stho part of Martha in "Faust" with Rosabel Morrisoa's Company at an hour's notice at Grand Island, Neb. j Dion Boucicault's "Led Astray" was produced I under the title "Ln Tcntation " recently at tho ! Standard Theatre, Phil. James F. D*vis, a tenor singer and ector, at one time connected with tho "Captain HearnoJ/ Company, was recently admitted to the Insane Pavilion at Bollcvue Hospital, Now York. " I'hsntoma ; or, The Seven Wise Owlb and the Fairy of the Haunted Glen," is the title of a new spectacular pantomime to be produced next stoson by Goo. L. Gregory's "Humpty Dumpry" Company. NEW PLAYS. "The Elixir of Life," farce comedy, by Walker Kennedy, EUiu, 111., on February 18. " In Darkest Brazil," four-act play, by Edwin Hough ton, Theatre Royal, Hamilton, C*n., on Februavy 11. "Tups," one-act romantic military play, by Buss Wliytal, Girad Axcnue Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa., on February 18. "Joan of Arc," comic opera, by Guy W. Carryl and R M. Statiz, aung for the first time at FoTd's Overa House, Baltimore, Ind., on February 19, by amateurs. "Sealed Lips," five-act play, by William C. Hudson, at the Tauiiton (Mass.) Theatre, on February 19, by Arthur Lewis's Company. "A Bluff," play by St. George Husscy. was act>.d for the first time on any stage at the Opera Hcuse, Patterson, New Jeisey, on February 20, and proved a failure. "I'nder Two Flag?," four-act operetta, words by Cadets Whi c Auijustin and Hhikley, eet to the music of Strauss, Bizet, Gounod, nnd Tobani, sung for the firot time at Grant Hall, Wes-t Point, New York, on February 23, by Cadets of West Point. " Ptarmigan ; or, a Canadian Carnival," two-act comic opera, libretto by Mi^s J. U. M'llwraith (Jean Fon-ythX music by J. E P. Aldonf, Grand Opera Home, Hamilton, Canada, on February )5. "The Bow Bells, or Mnidons Up to D*te," by Maud Hosford, at Chickering Hall, New York, in February, by amateurs. "L'Age D.fticile," three-act comedy, by Jules Lemaitre, Gymnaee Theatre, Paris, on January 29. " Ilawkvrood Hall," three-act comedy opera, by Lynn Royd, music by George C. Richardson, at Middlcton Hall, Islington, England, on January 31 "William Ratcliffe," four-act opera, music by Mascagui, libretto (a free translation of Heine's tragedy) by Count Andrea Maffei, Scala Theatre, Milan, Italy, on February 16. "A Loving Legacy," three-act farcical comedy, by Fred W. Sidney, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, Fngland, on January 28. ' "The Cjvenfc Garden Ball," three-act farce, by J. W. Shannon, Royal Theatre, Alderahot, England, on January 21. Some new tong successes :— " She may have seen better days, "Make up the loveis again," "Give me back roy playthings." "You never loved your mother hilf enough," "True to tho ship," •' He only did his duty," "A pack of cards," " 'J he last roll call," " His last good-bye," "Mike M'Carlhy's wake," "Alter the show is over, "My Anna waits for me," "Don't leave the old home, Mamie." Cis*y Fitzgerald (Tricky Little Mavbud in "The Foundling") contributed a dunce to which the term "decorous" would scarcely apply, but which was received with storms of applause She spoke her lines with an English accunt and pronunoiation which was vastly amusing.— Clipptr.— You» truly, MauiO. The Rialto, March 2.