Life, 1904-11-03 · page 22 of 40
Life — November 3, 1904 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces. The main article critiques the "Theatrical Trust"—a monopolistic theater organization accused of price-gouging by using famous actors as cover. Specifically, it attacks a Shakespeare production starring Edward Sothern and Julia Marlowe, charging exorbitant ticket prices ($3.50) while claiming the actors' performances don't justify the cost. The writer faults Sothern's monotonous delivery and both actors' lack of spontaneous chemistry. Below is an unrelated political cartoon titled "The Latest Naval Engagement," depicting a Russian submarine (the "Blunderuski") comically malfunctioning and surfacing during a critical naval moment, allowing Japanese forces to overcome it "with laughter." This likely satirizes Russian naval incompetence during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), a contemporary conflict when this was published.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LE E* With Shakespeare as a Headliner. OT much in the way of an excuse is needed to make the Theatrical Trust push up the price of theatre tickets on the public. It costs practically three dollars and a half aseat to see Mr. Sothern and Julia Marlowe in Shakespeare's plays, Undesirable seats may be had at three dollars, but, under the Trust's method of dealing with the public, seats which are worth occupying can only be obtained at the higher figure. Whether Mr. Sothern and Julia Marlowe have attained such eminence in their profession as to entitle them, jointly or severally, to make such a demand on the public has nothing to do with the case. It is enough if their joining forces gives the Trust even the flimsiest excuse toextort_ more money from the too gullible patrons of the Trust theatres, Judging by the actual rendering of Romeo and Juliet by these artists, the advance is hardly warranted. Julia Marlowe's Fuéie¢ has been seen before, and while it is still a picturesque and intelligent impersonation, time has not improved its reading, and certainly has not increased its never-superabundant fire. Mr. Sothern'’s Romeo seems overcast with the melancholy of his Ham/et, which melancholy is increased by the monotonous falling cadence of his delivery. This has always been a serious blemish on Mr. Scthern's elocution, which it is doubtless too late for him to attempt to change, but its elimina- tion would tend to make the ever-lugubrious Romeo less rather thao more melancholy than he needs to be, In appearance Mr. Sothern 1s sufficiently youthful for the part, and his reading is intelligent even if his delivery lacks distinction. Jointly he and Julia Marlowe do not seem to inspire each other to great flights. Their work seems to be animated by a professional respect for each other which precludes their giving to their scenes any great amount of spontaneous enthusiasm and force; on this account their acting does not stir the audience to great emotion. ‘The supporting company is a moderately good one, no one in the cast getting out of his or her part all there is in it, The play is THE LATEST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. THE RUSSIAN SUBMARINE BOAT BLUNDERUUSKI SECASM UNMANAGRABLE, AND AROSE TO THE CURPACE AT THR MOST CRITICAL TIME AND PLACE, AND ALL THE JAFS WERE OVERCOME (WITH LAUGHTER). comicbooks.com