New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-03
REYIvING "7HE COMEDY OF ERRORS

ARCHAIC ARCHITECTURE AND DRESSES -PREPARiN'
FOR A NOTABLE PRESENTATION.
Into pleasantly furnished little room which
bore many OF the artistic pursuits oil us owner
Visitor who had asked for Captain Thompson was
shown As entered the room his eye was caught ny
sketch rich in color, of the interior OF Roman dwell
ing This sketch stood easel by the dosr Captain
Thompson is English artist. who has lately maue
New-York his home and who seems to turn his iacie
,.ncil 10 awning from journalism to designing
purlesoue costumes. At present. he Is experimenting
the forthcoming production by Robson ana Craze OF
The Comedy Of Errors at the Star Theatre ana IL was
70 learn something Of the details OF his work that the
visitor accompanied by Joseph Brooks. tue manager
had come.
.For the last six months" said Mr. Brooks, " have
been arranging for what think will be the most eaO-
crate shakespearean production We have had mere lot
many years. while for three months BACK nave
been hard at getting scenery painted ana dresses
made When first took the matter In hand engaged
the Hon. Lewis wingied TO design the production,
but have had no reason to regret having altered my
mind and given the commission to Captain Thompson
He gave the revival his most earnest attention ana mas
carefully studied the play with references to It's capacity
for artistic and realistic setting In the hrst place. nc
decided that the second century after Christ WAS an
epoch which could he chosen without danger OF any
charge of snachrous and the Christian architecture
which has perforce to introduced will be OF rather
archaic description Instead o. being as ususi OF ua.
fty have got amusingly mixed up. 49,
Now lei me show you bow matters are arranged so
that the ideas carried cut here are the
sEetchos OF costumes" and Mr.. Brooks rhufied huge
PACK OF cards which seemed to be all court csfns ny
were hastily but effectively drawn figures OF an tue
characters and supernuneraries In the play Priests
dancing girls nuns soldiers citizens In Infinite variety
We have over 200 the stage, said Mr. Brooks, so
Won can imagine how many dresses nave 10 bs
made to supply them al with their various
ch.nees These sketches sent to the costuner TIC
more elaborate. and especially those with arnoi, 70
Paris the remainder to Nev-IDrk costumer, ana 10
our own women who work hight here In tubs building
All the materials spangles, and 70 fsitb puy riknt
from the maker Here again sketches oil the iurl
tue and properties The moro elaborate of these are
also sent TO Europe. but tho majority we nave maze IL
New-York. nave small army working under me ~
tbe Grand Opera House and another down at the STAR
Then as TO the scenery. First Mr.. Thompson makes
cslored sketch. which the sceDe-psintcr makes
another IN re elaborate. like that on the easel there
From this, tier 1t has been thoroughly discussed
ANAL model made In cardboard which Is exactly IKE
the In miniature After still further conhng
Oyer the actual Is built from this and paped 30
mnch FOR the work OF preparing scenery dresses ana
coslumes In addition to this. imagine the WORK OF on,
eaVipg rebea arising, and keeping in order coupe OF
hundred people and pity shakespe arean reVVA''"lh
tile thermometer ovo- Diaety.'
His visitor pitied and went on his way