Otis Skinner As "hamlet."

To the older generation of playgoers, whose idols wereMacready, Davenport, Forrest and Bootb, it were almost profanation to suggest that a new "Hamlet" worthy of tbe bighest praise and able to stand any oomparison has arisen. Suoh, however, is a fact established beyond the question of a donbt by the best dramatic authoirties in the couutry, and tbe actor who has succeeded in obtaining tbis commendation is Otis Skiuuer, who will present "Hamlet" at the Grand Opera House, Monday eveniug, Nov. 9. This actor acheived the most notable triumph of bis career when he enacted the character of tbe melaucholy Dane. Mr. Skinner makes bis Hamlet less of a madman than some of bis predecessors, and on this account his assuraption gains friends at the outset. Indeed, thronghout the play he enacts the part in a more températe and at the same time more artistically convincing way than any Hamlet of recent years. Mr. Skinner bas been a romantic actor for the major part of his life on the stage, and with that idea in mind tbe spectators see romantic earmarks in his iinpersonation. But tbis adds to the impression made. This Hamlet conld not have been born in an insane asylum; there is none of the repulsïvene3s in tbis rendition tbat resembles the esoaped lunatics sometimes given in this play. Mr. Skinner makes his Hamlet a manly and engaging prince, whose heart might be so large that love of woman could- but does not - unbalance him. His conoeption is that Hamlet was never insane, that desire for revenge indaced him to pretend madness wben it was of help in acoomplishing his aims. On this premise, then, Mr. Skinuer proceeds, and it is not too mnch to say that be gives a rendition which secures fervid commendation. His reading is well nigb flawless, save in a few passages when rapidity of utterance necessitates the sacrifico of distinctness in ennnciation. Mr. Skinner never rants and steers so olear of exaggeration that he seems always to possess great reserve power. He shades the lines with a nicety and precisión that command unstinted admiration. His soliloquy and bis speech to tbe players are delivered with rare skill and effect, and occasionally he adopts a oonversational style and the result is most enjoyable.