The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02

10 the scenery painted by Harry Wilson. the
designer Of the stnge. This Is frankly conven-
tIonal. even the trees OF the woodland scene
being treated In q decorative fashion, while the
sky Is OF gold. 1t would be interesting to con-
slider how far Mr.. Wilson and his associates
arc justified in their attempt to treat what.
after all. is theatrical performance from the
point Of view OF decorative art entirely But
the principle has not been carried out to It's
ultimate conclusion.
Charming ny Is the effect OF this highly dec
orative background. the actual performance
upon the stage par,akes to too great an extent
Of the theatrical. which is to say. the natural
istlc character. With what one can imagine
TO have been the frankly artificial move
ment and cadence OF a Greek chorus
the effect would have been perfect Still
this is TO an extent hypercritical. for in
composition and color effects the PROFESSIONS
dances and groupings leave little to be de-
sired The individual costumes are extremely
striking. the most effective. perhaps, being
those which are displayed in the pageant Of the
Fair Cities introduced in the fourth scene
when Eayremonde. the heroine who typifes
Beauty. cast by enchantment into deep
sleep. is supposed to see as in a vision pro-
cession OF those fair cities which lin oden
days owned her sway and governanee." Each
oity Ia accom- panied by one OF her worthiest citi-
zsns ruler or artist famous in her palmy days.
Thebes for instance. is attended by Rameses
H.. Rome by Augustus and three youths from
ManteRna's Triumph OF Cnsar." Oxford By
King Alfred and William OF Wykeham with q
group Of scholars. Nuremberg. which 10 ono
OF the most effective. has been designed by
Walter Crane. who himself appears In attend
| ance as Albert Durer.
| All these costumes have been designed with
| careful attention to historical correctness. but
oh ha ~ ~ md
| intrusted TO the hands OF the ordinary the
| atrcal costumer. What distinguishes them Is
| the consummate color scheme OF each group.
which harmonizes with its predecessors and
successors. The dresses. fashioned OF gorgeous
and expensive material are In many cases fur
| Their enriched by the most beautiful hand en-
broideries l was much struck. too. with tho
beauty OF the accessories. One OF the swords.
| for instance, which / picked up had been
wrought and enamelled by Mr.. Neaon Dawson
as though intended for an exhibit at the Arts
! and Crafts show rather than for casual use on
| the stage.
So much for the pictorial aspect OF the
masque No less successful from literary
| point OF view Is the book. q composite affair
| which has enlisted the services OF Walter
| Crane. c. r. Ashbee. c. Harrison Townsend.
Sewyn Image and H. Wilson. The plot and the
verses which arc rected by the Prolocutor are
the work OF Mr.. Walter Crane. as are also some
Of the lyrics. the most effective OF which is the
Song OF the Wind and the Leaves. The rondeau
which introduces the Proogist Time Ia from
the pen Of Mr. c. Harrison Townsend and BY
the courtesy Of the committee am enabled to
quote 1t:
| Another page Fair in our sight
| The leaf lies waiting virgin white,
For Time the scribe to use the sheet,
And make mis- half.told tale complete.
| Screened from us. secret hidden quite.
He holds his fatal pen to writo
Another page.
Tales blurred with tears will he inditot
| Or let the gloom be streaked with light1
| Or mako poem. tender. sweet.
Whore Life and Love and Hope shall meetf
IT'S Time that knows. He pens Alright
Another page
| Really poetical. too. are Mr.. Selwyn Images
| verses which are recited in turn by each OF
the fair cities This Ia Rome. for instance:
| Twas the mistress Of the world
| Tho gods had laid the imperial soul for dover;
| Icame. l saw, conquered earth and sea.
| And from my touch sprang desert lands to a over
Chaos before me fed, anG girt with awe
Deep in mems hearts I set the throne OF law.
| And this Paris:
Lo! meath these northern skies enthroned on me
Art set her dsintiest touch. and charmed my hand
| To deftest cunning and felicity,
since her last radiance sank o. er dreciAn land;
Gay as an April morn loves kisses thrill
Ihold men hearts in thraldom at my will.
| Altogether the Art Workers Guild has done
good service to art in this histrionic ma ifesta-
ton OF theirs. and their masque has made good
its claim to DO one OF the artistic events of the
| season. II. K. {.