Huntsville gazette., 1889-01-19
COSTUME DESIGNING.
Some OF the Things to Be Considered in the
Art of Adaptation.


Some Of the Things to Be Considered in the
Art of Adaptation.
Those who know nothing of the
mounting OF an historical drama would
probably suppose that for its successful
accomplishment nothing is required but
| mere attentive plodding and persever-
ance; that the requisite authorities hav-
ing been unearthed all serious difficulty
is surmounted. AS matter of fact it
is only at this point that the threshold
OF trouble is crossed. A wary expert
ence as well as cultivated taste have
to be brought into play to steer safely
between two rocks, the obviously in
correct and the Enthusiastically true. The
intentions of the actor must not be ham,
pered. A seat must not suggest absurd
discomfort; dress must not impede the
motions of a player. But neither need
a costume be too much modified to meet
the natural awkwardness or stupidity
OF the wearer. If an actor complains
to me (no uncommon circumstance
that che could not play in that" al
ways answer try" and only consent to
further notifications when convinced
in that particular garment he would
jeopardize the general success.
The costume Of every period gave birth
to peculiar department, required a
special code of manners. A noble ac-
customed to the trailing skirts and dem
tilated sleeves of Henry Y. would be
out of his element in the padded
breeches of King James. An actor has
to learn how to wear his costume with
propriety. l remember once, when /
had the honor of mounting MASKS
and Faces for the Bancrofts at the
Haymarket the young men vowed ven.
geance against me, declaring that l
was making them look ridiculous. Their
skirts plated in many folds, were wired
as well as buckramed, and their swords
were stuck diagonally through them;
ergo it was impossible to sit / argued
| that the coats looked more natural than
any George coats that had ever seen,
that they were wired thus in the days
of Peg Wellington, and that it was
highly probable that even the most ar
dent of her admirers was not always on
his knees. The way Of sitting must
| therefore have been other than that
practiced in our era of Norfolk jackets,
and it beloved us, by applying our
minds to the problem, to evolve the
necessary action. A very little prac-
| tice brought out the secret, and though
wired to my hearts content, the young
men were made perfectly comfortable.
lGreek or Roman costume is night
.mare to many players, and yet what con.
spicuous examples of grace in the wear
| ing in the classic robes are Miss Ander-
son and Mr.. Wilson Barrett. Their dra-
peries hang about their limbs in natural
undulations, as if they had never heard
of dress improvers or frock coats; and
yet it must not be supposed that they
acquired the knack without long and
careful practice. never realized
Miss Anderson's skill in this matter
until l strove to attire another lady In
a costume similar to hers. The over.
drapery, winding around her feet,
nearly brought her down upon her nose;
it was always in her way, twisted into
ungainly angles, and arrived at last I'M
der her arm like packet of crumpled
linen. Although this lady was not ex.
ceptionally awkward, / was obliged in
| her case to revert to the o,d-fashioned
| hideous bedgown, which is any thing
but statuesque. -Magdzine Of Art