The Washington times., 1904-05-17
Ben Greet s.Companyin LAS
You Like 1t" and Twelfth
Nigh" Miss Matthison's
Work as RoSalind and
Viola.
Prince Karl" at Columbia.
Fortune Teller" at the
Observation-Disclosures at
Observation-Disclosures atthe
Academy-Other Bills.

Academy-Other Bills.
outdoor presentations Of Shakespeare
plays, usually of LAS You Like It"
have not been uncommon for a number
of years past principally. however. as a
sort Of freak entertainment by profess
sional actors or by college students TO
aTnuse themselves and their friends.
Ben Greet's company of English ac-
tors is, we think. the first to make a
speciality OF open-ajr performances such
as those given yesterday afternoon and
evening OF las You Like It" and
Twelfth Night" These diversions from
the usual are unquestionably a pleasant
novelty, and therefore justify them
selves. These Washington presentations
are for the benefit of the Association of
Works Of Mercy. and therefore especial
~ worthy of patronage. Twelfth
Night" will be repeated this afternoon
and "As You Like 1t" this evening. The
stage on the Old Observatory Grounds
was admirably chosen. and the Illusion
reasonably effective. Three large trees
formed the nucleus Of the setting. The
sides and rear were screened by bushes.
and the entrances were made at either
corner at the rear. y natural slope form
ed a perfect auphitheater for the au-
dience.
Outdoor Difficulties.
II would, OF course. be unfair TO ex-
pect the outdoor player 10 conform
strictly TO indoor requirements.
With the danger constantly before him
limited space. the actor playing out
doors is Of necessity chiefly concerned
with the business of getting the lines
10 the audience. He must make folks
understand what he is saying before ev-
erything else. Consequently. acting is
sacrificed to reading This is inevitable
and must be taken into account in all
reviews Of outdoor performances.
Confronted with immovable conditions,
playing with unchanged woodland seen
cry and without a curtain. 1t also fol-
lows that the plays have TO be arranged
10 confront with the conditions. Thus
in LAS You Like It. only the forest
scenes were given, while in Twelfth
Night" the always effective scenes Of
the revels Of Sir Toby Belch and Sir
Andrew Aguecheek, and of the imprisOn-
ment Of MalVOliO were omitted.
IN both these plays the chief acting in
terest centered around the Rosalind and
Viola of Edith Wynne MatthisOn, with
secondary interest fixed on the Jacques
and Malvolio OF Ben Greet. The quality
OF Miss MatIhisOn was pre-eminently
displayed in her impersonation Of Every
man a few weeks ago, while Mr.. Greet
was known 10 this city only as stage
director.
Regarding Miss Matthison.
II has CHANGED that the writer has had
opportunity 10 see Miss Matthison in
nearly ali the characters she has played
in this country. and he therefore feels
that he can speak with some authority
regarding her. He IS frank 20 say that
in his opinion "Everyman'' cOmprehends
the length and breadth and fullness of
her art. He entertains the highest ad-
miratiOn for her intelligence. but he
must acknowledge that he has serious
doubts Of her genuine versatility.
Miss MatthisOn's natural gifts are I'M
questioned. Her voice Is rare instru-
ment. and her reading unusually fine for
these DAYS of diminished Shakespea rean
experience. Her personal charm cannot
be gainsaid. and as already stated her
mental appreciation Of character and
lines is constantly to the fore.
But the burden OF sObriety she cannot
lay down, and sOmberness Is thoroughly
Characteristic Of her mood of thought
While her wOmanliness is as potent in
3tS appeal as was ever that of Julia
MarlOWc. whose ROsalind stands as one
Of her best representations. Miss Matthi-
son lacks entirely the natural vivacity
aud spontaneous ioyousEess which made
the ROSalind Of Miss Henrietta Gresham
50 thoroughly delightful.
Rosalind and Viola Contrasted.
Miss Matthison's RosaIind is grateful
IN that It IS without extravagances or
innovations. Although she does give
No
other actresses have. she actually misses
few. II any. In many cases she really
illumincs the text and polishes its in
tellectual and poetic brilliancy. In fact.
barring the absence Of joy, which one
Identifies with this happiest Of Shake
spearean women, her Rosaund must be
ranked high in the gallery Of portrait
lures drawn by the greatest actresses
OF the English speaking stage
The atmosphere OF pathetic melan-
choly. 50 evident IN all Of Miss Matthi-
sons work. Is even more pronounced in
her Viola than in her R0salind BY en-
phdslZfuR tho love sickness Of the maid
Bliss MatthiGon gives characterization
OF VIOLA entirely ncr own ana unques-
Tlonably effective II one chooses. 10 for
set that Viola Is really a lively sort Of
girl, who Is IN love, 90 be sue but
VINO does not mind having a little fun
IN nc Tor ali Of that
We have no sympathy with those n no
put d0wa q hard and fast Character
conception and demand that evervbodv
else shall get inside Of their limitations
We freely acknowledge the appeal Of
Miss MatthisOn's conception, but we
also see that It's appeal IS more sentI-
mental than solid. Miss Viola Allen
erred IN making NiOlc too hard and
brittle Miss MatthiSon errs by nos J<ire,
her too soft and -oushy. Somewhere
betNeen the two. we are sure. lies the
real Viola. bright happy. merry VI
Nacious woman, loving with aDDarrnt
Aopelessness. 10 be sure. but f5r too
much Of a woman. far too spirited roo
lull OF the love Of living. too honest
Win too fine sense OF humor 10 nor.
nit even a hopeless passion to color an
the world with drab melancholy.
Mr. Greet and the Others.
AZ actor. Mr.. Greet has good deal
O the olive taste. One has 10 ear "a
inaily Ia succession before he grows r,
Ike them AS matter of fact Gre.
IS not much Of actor. but he is q re
inarkabie Interpreter. Thus his JACQUES
witkoat eDsraciating personality Or his
trion!c elegance. Is every whit n man
a eflin humorous fellow. in whom tbe