Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-07
COMEDY OF ERRORS REVIVED.
How This PisY OF shakspeare's i 10 be Pre-
s-nted in New York by Robson aud Crane.
New York Times.


Preparations for Robson and Cranes
production Of the COMEDY OF Err
rors." which is to occur shortly at the
Star Theatre, are going forward with
considerable rapidty and elaboration.
The company is now engaged in its en-
tiretT and the costumes are nearly fin
ished. The dresses have been made
in London; the handsome armors
which are 20 be used in the pre-
scntation have been manufactured
in Paris, and the scenery and
properties are being put together in
New York. Everything IS being done
under the personal supervision Of Cap
tain Alfred Thompson. whose stage
productions are well known in Europe
as well as in America as being Of the
most accurate and picturesque descrip-
ton. 1t was Captain Thompson who
put on Romeo and Juliet" for Mr.
living in London. and he has long
been associated with the best Shak.
suearcan productions Of the British
capital. The other day he was
introduced to Mr. BARLEY Camp
bell. who was talking with his
customary yiyscity. but without
any apparent knowledge Of the
identity Of the gentleman he was al
dressing. Mr. Campbells plant re-
ferred to the uSelessness Of importing
gentlemen to produce plays upon an
elaborate scale in America. " Why
said Mr.. Campbell, 1--WE have hal bet
ter productions here than were ever
seen In the world. Look at Sarlaaa-
.alus.' You never had snything like
that in Europe. It was the granlest
spectacle ever put upon the stage"
Ycs." said Captain Thompson. &" |
produced it," Mr.. Campbell re-
tired somewhat crestiallcn. and
Nr. Thompson went serenely on
with hi, drawing for the piece
upon which he was engaged az the
moment. Robson and Crane, revival
Of the Comedy of Errors" will be-
the finest thing Of the comely kind
ever seen Oh the stage. Yesterday, IL
company with Mr. Joseph Brooks, who
has the management Of this enterprise,
/ went through the plates representing
tie costumes and scenerT. They are
certainly Illustrative Of very fine APP
po.ntmeuts. There are % DE 600 pao-
PIE employed In tai, revival. and with
ltc ballet. marches. and professions. 2
spectacular interest win ie given t.
he piece whish it has not heretofore
enjoyed. The ballet viii be introduced
II the phryne's chamber scene. This
s, ence docs not actually occur in
the play. / believe. but IS alluded to in
tie text. and IN order u bring in the
festivities in which the ballet may be
employed. Captain Thompson res0rted
| 90 the bold. but possibly aliOwa f.e- eX-
pertinent OF removing scene from
=. Timon Of Athens " and inserting 1t
| I'm the - Comedy Of Errors" This in
terpolation enables the use Of Sha6-
speare's text exclusively. and the bal
! let is brought on as a part Of an enter
ta.nment given by Phryne. One Of the
principal professions Of the piece Is to
/ be introduced upon the ports and DOCKS
of Ephesus. There l. no particular
call for this In the play as 10 stands.
but Captain Thompson has taken the
liberty OF introducing Il IN fashion
which can hardly prove offensive even ~
the closest stickiers for probability.
At the time in which the Comedy d,
/ Frrors" is laid 1t was the custom o!
| people from various countries - come
IN their gs.lcys with yotiye offerings.
aud the priests used TO form in process
sion and 90 through various ceremonies
/ in1ece,ync thcseoter.ngs. These cere-
monte, viii Doe represented in the pro-
ce,.iou Of she ports AMI docks. Tie
moycmel, of the " Comedy Of Error,
te.ia- 90 the very carly morning anI
/ r-u, through th. twelve hour, Of tA-
/ DAY. c,l-G- by moonlight. and CAPITA.
Ilom. ~ series Of scenes are
ra.utei ., 90 cary tie -,.l- along
/ through the various periods eu.ueci
It BE-. been customary hereto
/ fore to play oae aet VI tA- " Come
/ Iy ot Lrrors IN cathedral. D4'
I Captain Thompson points DI. ,.i, a'
/ t.a tine wh-u the iue-e..a o.. -l. "a
. .r. supposed ty have occurred >ac4 d
! Shire a> = cathedral vas Y-t Of .l.
/ question. lie has Accordingly supple.
/ lstlis scene a. cary CAr-ualc.ur-4
iu which the irst p4Ft oi lL- .ast at !.
ulavel. Ihi, j. coa,,rlct-l upon OBJ.
/ revolving plan. and when he chTri
scene has been finished the ,truc-.r.
rolls around. disclosing what >h1S
speare calls the melancholy Ga.e. 40.
this. with IL soft moonlight elects, !.
REGARDED - .he Mes-r-. Robson an
Crane arl the scenic artists who hs"
been vork..- upon it a. altogether Ri
hes. scene IN the piece. Ia Les5ulu-
his dresse, Captain Thompson mas goa'
in a little more for hign colorns thai
e in .;Ii.t accordance with the usage
of the Ephcsians Of the period moi
Gated. There are. however. NJ giarin
oyer,t,P- ~ this direction. and iliee'
nothing h2, been cone wA.ch was no
entirely justified n the license whicI
one nav lake upon Al occasion IL
this. The company which has bee
engaged 20 represent the various char
aciers in this revival Is pretty even. 3
balanced organization. 1t contain. T.
names OF very special moment, but, o
heother hand. the people are a.l o! tae'
well known and capable. The list il
cludes. besides Mr.. Robson and y,
, Crane. William Harris, c. HandysiIe
. 5lr. Rie-el. C.. y. HaufOrd, II. 4
, Langdon. William IIaworth. ".
Young. Miss Selma Fctter, Miss Ia
McKinstry. Miss Annie Douglass, Nj
Carrie Reynolds. ami Mrs. Fernando
Mr. Robson and Nr. Crane are al pr
sent in their country home, at Coma
e set, Mass. They are expected her
. however, within the next week TO b
Gin their work.
' Ike South Atlantic and Ohio Bsiiroi
: by telegraph 20 the Dispatch.l
z o. :