Whiteside As Richelieu

In {he impersonation of Richelieu, by Walker Whiteside at the Grand opera house, Friday evening, it is evident that the young actor has grasped the spirit and purpose of the master mind whence proceeded the dramatization of the historical events that clustered about the person and were involved in the record of the stern and ambitious, yet - as many think - just oíd cardinal. In voice and bearing he carries the part with great skill for an actor of comparatively brief experience. The role is a heavy one, and as rendered Friday night, was well undertaken. But Whiteside is too young cfor his part. The lack of years and stage maturity are too plainly visible through the disguise of oíd Richelieu, and he experiences some difficulty in keeping his voice under proper subjection for the austere and dignified utterances of the "power behind the throne," which in Richelieu ruled France, in the days of Louis. There is, however, native tragic in the voice of the actor, which future years and experience will cure of its defects. As yet he relies too rauch upon the effect of his voice upon his own ears and appears to forget or does not know that many of his sentences are lost on the ears of his audience. Until this is remedied, he will continue to leave with his audiences the feeling that he either is careless of satisfying them or is incapable of combining the art of impressiveness with distinctness of utterance. It is not, however, extravagant to assert that the interpretation of Richelieu by Whiteside is far in advance of most attempts at such difficult characterization, and that the future will disclose a bright career for him, there can be little doubt.