The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-26
ADJUSTMENTS.
Grand-"Comedy of Errors"

It was an excellent performance, that of
Robsons Comedy of Erro<s," which
given to two enthusiastic Christmas audi
ences at the Grand yesterday. There was
much curiosity to witness the revival of
this rich and ancient bit of Shakespeare, and
in this season of revivals Stuart Robson
has staged his old favorite with much bril-
lance. The limited possibilities of the Grand.
however, caused excusable crowding of
scenery, but in no degree marred the SUI
perior excellence OF the production when
considered in comparison with certain re-
cent attempts at Shakespeare productions,
where the same garden and court pictures
were made to do duty In scenes laid in
cities divided by mountain ranges, CULTS
and countries, as we'll as leagues. Robson
has gift of ready adaptability to circum-
stances, and would successfully produce a
play IL blankets hung in a sta
BILE loft We're his only accessories.
The unrivaled rapidity OF action ana in
comparable mixture of comical mistakes,
more confusing than anything perhaps ever
written since the time of it's original pro-
duction, go to make the Comedy Of Err
rors'' one of the most laughable of Shab-
speare's works. Indeed, the situations are
so fraught with fun-making artifice that the
play dips largely into the broad territory Of
farce. But what farce! Shakespeare
might have written a one-act skit, with
kitchen and stable characters for his actors,
yet he would have given to the whole a
delicious touch. born of his instinct for
scholarly finish, that would have lifted
the work into the realm of pure comedy.
lt would pe next 10 lmposslple 10 Etke
fectly are each outline1 with a true I'm.
derstanding of their several deserts. The
one great drawback to a reproduction Of
'l'OmPGV E.rrOrS. RODSOn
Crane were one time wont to
stage 1t. has always been the difficulty IN
and appearance of Robson. In Giles Shine
Robson has, perhaps. come as near to his
professional double as it is possible until at5
public Whatever the more than capable
Giles Shine may lack in meeting the ardu-
GUS requirements of his part ana casting
aside the inevitable criticism provoked by
which he must submit in the minds OF the
spectators, he is not much lacking; but
whatever there may be Of IL the swift en-
frances and exits go a long way toward OBJ
lterating giving, as they do. an Oppor-t
tunity for quick action, flourish OF ges-'
IN which he plays the double with great
well counterfeited that second glance
is necessary to distinguish the two
Dromios whenever they appear unless
one be versed in the lines and have
an acquaintance with the personalities OF
really bear the similar birth marks. There
was also q well-couuterfeited resemblance
in the twin Antipholuses of John J. Far
rell and w H Elwood, Mr. Farrell being
perhaps superior in voice though not in
action. William Yerance's part as the aged
AegeOn has not the prominence that Shak-
speare designed for the character, the pa
thetic touches being at times sacrificed to
the comedy features that tower over all.
Mrs. Robson made a faithful and fearful
wife to Antipholus of EpheSus. The deeper
she descended into her becoming grief the
more enjoyment was impaired to the part
hedged about with Shakspearean designed
blunders. Were it not out of ali digni-
fed similitude with the subject
one ;,,o would d., feel like ps saying the
assumed figure that was only short of
maddening in its sensuous charm Grace
very wisely not too shy for the unwelcome
office she fills the interested but puzzled
listener TO the avOwals of love from the
supposed husband of her sister. Mrs
Campbell is a thoroughly rich, all pervad-
ing. commanding, dominating, even crush
ing BiouSabella and one in whom the aud
fence took repeated delight The plaudits
at all times were generous. There will be
three more performances Of Comedy of
Errors in the present engagement.