A ROYAL HAMLET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2451, 6 March 1901, Page 63

A ROYAL HAMLET.

The Grand Duke Constantiae of Russia and his briliant jpife haye almost achieved

their highest ambition. They have not only translated "Hamlet" into Russian, but the Grand Duke has made a memorable "hit" as the melancholy Dane. Some years ago his Imperial Highness, after seeing the great Italian actor, Rossi, give a scholarly and brilliant performance of the play, determined not only to devote, if necessary, his whole life to the study of the incongruous Dane, but also that he himself would give to the world his idea of Hamlet, not simply by a translation of the tragedy into Russian, but by acting it in public and taking himself the title role. The Grand Duke went at once to his young kinsman, the Czar. '"ivly advice you want? And about 'Hamlet'?" said the Emperor, laughing. "Well, I am afraid my opinion 'would be useless. I have seen many Hamlets on the stage, but in every case the Danish Prince seemed to me to be terribly in love, and considering the Ophelias these Hamlets have been in love with, I have certainly not blamed Hamlet !"

However, the Grand Duke, before commencing the study of this much-discussed character,' determined to get the opinions of as many recognised authorities oh the subject as he possibly could. The Czar advised him to seek the advice of the Prince of Wales — long recognised as au fait in all matters connected with the stage. His Royal Highness was, as *one might imagine, pithy and pointed, although perhaps not of the greatest help to the eager student. Said the Prince : " You are ambitious ; but your ability warrants such ambition. A woman can influence a man for good or bad ; can influence his disposition, manners, methods. In Hamlet's case, I say 'Cherchez la femme.' Hamlet was not mad, but he certainly had a strong touch of ' Ophelia !' "

It is interesting to learn, however, that the Grand Duke Constantine himself confesses that he owes his conception and "carrying out" of "Hamlet," not to any of the "immortal William's" learned commentators and critics, but to our own Princess Henry of Battenberg. The Princess is not only a clever Shakespearean scholar, but, as her friends well know, she is a clever actress to boot. The Duke, during his fascinating study of the Dane's character, from time to time appealed to our Princess, and these appeals have resulted in the creation of perhaps the most natural and loving Hamlet that has ever been given to the world. Princess Beatrice thus sums up the hero of the tragedy : "Hamlet suffered, as do many people now, from what we would call 'melancholia.' He was far from being mad, but the many troubles thickening around Mm on every side were too much for his sensitive, over-burdened mind. Had he been- less delicately minded he would have been less sensitive, and consequently less pedantic.

The Grand Duke Constantine's Hamlet was, although performed in St. Petersburg, watched by some of the greatest and most successful actors from all parts of Europe. These artists came by invitation — came to criticise, and, as one -great French actor said, "if necessary, to pull to pieces." One well-known English tragedian has been absent from London for some time. He has been one of the guests of the Russian Royal Family, and has seen the Royal Russian play the Royal Dane.

After the performance, our English actor went up silently to the Grand Duke ; all difference of rank was forgotten. It was an artist's hand that grasped an artist's hand — nothing more. "Sir," said the actor, earnestly, impressively, "as an old Hamlet myself, I thank you. You have glorified the Russian language by your translation ; you have enriched Hamlet by your creation "

The Emperor and Empress of Russia were fascinated with the performance, and when all was over, after the magnificent stipper to which the "cream" of St. Petersburg had been invited, the Emperor, calling his kinsman, the Grand Duke, to his side, put into his hands a somewhat small, evidently well-worn, volume of Shakespeare. This had belonged to the late Princess Alice of Hesse, the much-loved daughed of our late Queen, and mother of the present Czarina.

It is said that the Grand Duke Constantine has decided very shortly to s^ive his "Hamlet" in England before the Royal Family.