New-York tribune., 1901-01-06
PART II.
TWELVE PAGES.
LONDON DRAMA.
ruF BENSON COMPANY IN SHAKE
SPEARIAN FARCE-MR. WEIR
AS FALSTAFF
London. December %.

London, December %
when the Benson Shakespearian Company
.me 10 London year ago the critics con-
s,dered It necessary to assert the dignity of the
-,e.ropos. There was air of condescension
!, the welcome extended to these strolling
,,.vers from the provinces. They were con-
a.mped with fine irony as amateurs with old
,..bioned mannerisms. who might work up'' i'm
che course OF time. The metropolis is never so
fantastic as when IL puts on airs. London with
~. doubt sets the fashion for the British public
., drama as I'm other things, but it is not in
.reouently bad style. While play that sue
...ds here Is certain to have a good run in the
rcoyinces. London is so large that there is or
d,narily sympathetic or prurient public for
,,.rtIstic or immoral plays. The problem play
-+.rted here and after running it's deadly course
h.s been revived, and from London il has gone
" the provincial towns. The triumph OF such
ar,mss as 1.-The Degenerates'' and "Mr and
u,s Daventry' marked the low level of metro
,o.tan taste. The silliest farces ever produced
and appreciative audiences here. and in due
,me are transferred TO the provinces London
= not SO unerring an arbiter Of public taste as
~ make any false pretensions when provin-
~, company which has been devoting itself
yor years TO really great drama appears upon
the scene.
There has been a change Of tone this season
N the attitude OF the critics toward the Ben
sou company on fits temperance. This may be
h+cause Mr.. Benson is considered less presumpt-
nous than before He has not gone to the
Iyceum this time, but to the less pretentious
Comedy Theatre. where he shares the stage for
. long period with German company. / pre-
fer however, to believe that the cordial well
come CT this time is due TO hearty appreciation
Of the zeal. intelligence and earnestness Of this
Of respect at any rate. has been justly earned.
II is something in these listless, cynical times
10 ind an English gentleman, after exploits at
Oxford as an athlete and an amateur actor in
Creek tragedy. settling down TO a career on the
stage as an interpreter OF Shakespeare, expend-
ing his private fortune in an arduous struggle
Yor recognition, laboring year after year to
arouse interest in comprehensive treatment Of
great drama, imparting his enthusiasm to
versatile company Of actors. enlisting the
patronage OF committees in every town where
he plays and finally commanding the financial
support Of barristers and public spirited men,
who in the interest OF art have invested their
money in this enterprise. The Benson company
has the honorable record Of having produced
twenty-five plays of Shakespeare and OF keep
ing them in the permanent repertory. II lacks
artists Of the first rank but it's work is thought
Iul anc palnstakihR 1tS performances Whne
deficient in polish and finish. are not scamped in
any respect, but involve symmetrical prOduc-
1on OF Shakespeare with scholarship and artis-
tic feeling.
The second London season of the Benson COM
psny has been opened with the Merry Wives OF
Windsor" a rollicking work, written at the sug
geetion Of Queen Elizabeth, who wished 20
FalstA1-wooing- Mr.. Benson presents the play
frankly as a farcical comedy and brings out the
racy flavor OF the hunlor, the sharp lines of
Characterization and the homely simplicity of
the practical joking. Possibly the players are