Word: hampdens
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Wilbur Walter Hampden in "Richelieu". Plenty of blood and thunder, and for the must part well acted...
...spite of an ever so slight sententiousness, "Capansacchi" as played by Walter Hampden last night was a thoroughly excellent drama played with intelligence. Browning's "The Ring and the Book" which formed the plot for the production is materially preserved although considerably condensed. The essential idea of truth and the characteristic "live to make the world better" are still the motivating influences of the drama, but the discussion is confined to Canon Caponsacchi and his view of the case...
...Hampden in the title role is a most saintly idealist. He plays his part thoroughly in keeping with the Browning tradition of ever marching breast foreward. He preserved the outward calm of a man who was assured of his ideals, and at the same time he avoided becoming a mere negative, white-faced ascetic. He undoubtedly gave the best performance of the evening...
...undeniable that the acting of Mr. Hampden did fit into the spirit in which the play was written. He made the most of his dramatic moments and brought each act up to a startling close. As the keen witted Cardinal Richelieu he brought out both the clever perception of the master plotter and at the same time he added an almost pathetic feeling of futility and remorse that must come from a life occupied with only intrigue and statecraft. His gestures were particularly eloquent in this respect, usually managing to convey a thoroughly adequate impression with the smallest motion...
...settings and machinery were in no way startling, being the sort of thing that is usually taken on the road. There is one scene in the King's garden that is quite effective and is used by Mr. Hampden to the heights of its possibilities. In fact the whole performance was extremely entertaining and fulfilled the potentialities of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's play...