New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16

lie taste. Such associations could not be formed
except from genuine art motives. They may
open the way for a permanen. reviy al OF drs-
matte art noble bass.
The exceptional merits OF the work Of Mr.
Benson and his associates disclosed in the
opening performance of Antony and Geo
patra." The play was artistically staged from
beginning to end. The costumes we're arranged
with the same panstaking care which Is al
ways bestowed upon a Shakespearian revival
al the Lyceum in London. The effects OF color
were harmonious and beautiful. With dozen
shiftings of scene the play was rapidly enacted,
and the battle pictures were full Of movement
The stagework was sure; there was no crude
experimenting with amateur actors; every one
was trained for his work and knew precisely
what he had 10 do. The best feature OF the per-
Torrance was its symmetry. No part was
either underdone or overdone There was
delightful sense OF harmony and proportion as
one scene followed another and the undertones
were true and restful. Antony and Cleopatra
was presented not az a revel OF sensuality or
OF lawless passion but a drama of the rise
and fall Of conflicting civilizations; one dying
and crumbling away. and the other living and
marching to triumph
ures as Antony and Cleopatra. and they acted
extremely well: but when the evening came TO
an end no single part stood out in conspicuous
prominence The triumvirs. the friends OF An
tony Cesar and Pompey, the attendants OF
Cleopatra the soothsayer and the clown hdo d4I
fitted into their places and done their WORK WIN
Perfection OF method. l have seen more a'hol-
tious Shakepeariar performances than th's'
hut never one in England where the support
was so finely propOrtioned. Not even the nh'snep
comedy touches were lacking at the end, when
Mr. George Weir interviewed "a the CLOWN WIN
lust the RICH. note to relieve the TWO tragic
death scenes. Every member Of the company
seemed TO have caught the spirit ana arusuc
methods Of MS leader. AS for technique. II was
sure and true In every instance. tach acto-
had mastered some part in twenty-five or thlr'y
great nlavs and was not doing the same work
night after night and acquiring mannerlsms III
the course of long run of some popular sue
cess" There could be no better school Tor act
ing thar a Shakcspearan company. with
repertoire OF twenty-seven plays ana hall
Dozen old English comedies.
Mr. Benson Is an enthusiast. but not
dreamer. He began his oxford career as an
athlete. who could carry off prizes for running
AT long or short distances and for other feats
| ~ nhvsical agility. 4 good oar and champion
cricket PLAYER ne was Greek In his love OK
athletic sports and physical tra3ing ana ne
acted in Greek plays with such vigor ana Ora
r,a.ic feeling as 10 forecast a career on the
/ stage: but he has remained an athlete and
| essentially Greek to this day. and has inspired
/ his associates with his own love Of art and out
/ door life and sport. When the company Is act
ing in the spring the men play cricket and foot
/ uau Very day. At other times they are IN tne
rink Of condition from daily walks or spins on
their wheels. once when they were billed FOR
an approaching performance Of Hamlet they
had swimming match, in which the melancholy
Dane led over a stretch Of a mile Of cold water
while the Ghost came in last. They ere an
strong and hardy men, toIghered by habits OF
physical exercise. and trained for endurance or
! all the fatgues OF stage work. Mr.. Benson
himself at something under forty, can take as
| high Jump now as he could when he was at
! Oxford, and is in every respect as sinewy and
well trained
The sincerity and earnestness Of this provin-
cial actor manager have deeply impressed all
/ who have met him. He stands for high ideals
| in his art, and is content to labor year after
year in the provinces and never to abandon his
| ground. The only drama which h. considers
worthy Of serious attention is shakespeare
work. and he hopes that the day will yet come
when with the development OF public taste it
will be restored to the foremost place in every
important theatre. Certainly no actor out Of
London IS doing more than Mr.. benson to
! quicken public interest IN good drama and 10
convert il into source of pleasure and inspira-
ton for the masses l. IF.