New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-23
THE LEXINGTON-AvE POWER HOUSE

nj nerrormarce AT the time was described as
piuresque and humorous. Some fifteen years later
VI Crane in the character. but not III
N,-York These are the only performances OF
thcomedy given in this country of late years.
Re many other pays OF Shakespeare. The
Mrv Wives" has suffered from attempts at re-
wing John Dennis. believing that he could IN
pre- the comedy. wrote an alteration OF It. which
hea..eI The Comcal Ga..ant or the Amours OF
SlDohn Fa.s;an." and In the preface he pretended
10 i've the history Of the comedy. According 10
DG!s Queen Elizabeth. having seen King Henry
" was SO Impressed with the character OF Fa.sian
:hs she commanded Shakespeare 20 continue the
KNIT In another pay. and show him IN love What
auprity Dennis had for this statement is I'M
knSn but Il has been transmitted and generay
bel.ei Dennis made the statement in 1907 and
n edicaiing his alteration. observes: When !
nrscommunlcaied the design which had Of alter
inghis comedy OF Shakespeare. | found that !
sh,d have two sorts Of peop.e to deal with. who
woi equally cnGeavor to obstruct my success.
Thone believed 1t TO be admirable that nothing
Dug 10 be AIDED to 81. the other fanciei II TO be
50 spcabe that any ones time would be lost
upo It. That this comedy was not despicabe |
guasd for several reasons. First, Know IL
p.etd OF the greatest queens that ever was IN
the,or.d. grea, not on.y for her wisdom IN the
artef government. bur FOR her knowledge ~ polite
learng and her nice taste % the drama. FOR such A
tas We may b,. sure she had by the relish she
habf the ancients This comedy was written by
herommands and al her direction. and she was
so ger 10 see Il acted that she commanded II
10 finished in fourteen days. and was afi"rward
as iition tells us. very well Pleased at the rep
restation."
r. first Faistarr is SAID 10 have been John
Uenge and his successor in tho character was
Jor IDwin who had the part In his possession up
TO o time the Long Parliament issued the orii-
mars prohibiting the giving Of all stage plays ana
intoIies.
Aer the Restoration Lacy had the part. Thomas
Rearton vas the next Falstaff. and ne Is said -
Ia. been truly great one. This actor died in no
an then the part was. tried by many OF the come
dis Of the Drury Lane Theatre Among the num-
begas Barton Booth. vho put on the habit OF Fal-
ST at the command OF Queen Anne. Booth was
sened that one trial enough. There were
sipen REVEALS OF the play in England between 1901
ar 1911.
was not until October s. l7ss. that the comedy
VS. seen In New-York city. the performance being
gen al the old John Street Theatre. Harper was
= Falstafi The comedy was next pertorimsl az
old Park Theatre. on April !. lSO1 with john r..
Irwood as Fa!stan Hiison was seen IN INC cn mar
acke;t Is said TO have taken up the character
yout 1872. and his success in IL was such that he
und it profitable TO give frequent performances Of
The actor died In M, ana continued 10 act
ofber Fastafs " secn in this country we're william
'arren who came from England In 1885, Benedict
In Mr. Cranes revival Of the comedy he places It's
eriod in the time Of Henry ". IL has been Gus
)mary with many actors who have preceded him
} place It's period In Shakespeare's own time. 200
ears later. The comedian. however holds that this
erroneous and points 10 certain lines and char
ciers In the play 10 prove that the proper period
the work Is the days Of the WIG Prince. He
lys that the anachronisms which are apparent In
~ comedy Of little import and that like an
chrOnisns to be found in several others Of
works.
Mr. MarstOn has painted the scenery for the re-
wal, Mr.. Widner has arranged the music. and f.
hamilton Bell has designed the costumes. The east
follows: Fenton William Levers. Justice Sha-
w. IL. A. Weaver: Abraham Slender, Joseph
IheelOck, jr: Master Ford. Orrin Johnson: Master
age. BOYD Putnam: Sir Hugh Evans. James o.
arrows: Doctor Caius. Percy Brooke. Host. II. a.
ang1On; BardOlph Gustavus DE We're; Nym. II.
Fingleton Pistol George f. De We're Robin
alley Egan: Simple. Il. II. Rlar: Rugby. Hal Clar
ldOn. Mistress Ford. Miss FfoOtt Paget: Mistress
age. Miss Lizzie Hudson Collier; Anne Page. Miss
nne ONeill. Dame Quickly. Miss Kate Denim
'ilson.