The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-27
AT THE THEATERS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Night"

Ihe presentation of Twelfth Night in
the Elizabethan fashion adopted by Ben
Greet's company last night at the Audi
forum afforded a test of the intrinsic
power of attraction in Shakspere The
play was presented shorn of all its APP
peal to the eye in the sumptuous stage
setting which modern stagecraft provides
The result was gratifying to the most
skeptical and demonstrated amply that
great dramatic art does not consist in the
selection of picturesque situations, but In
the cunning unfolding Of plot and the in
teractfon Of characters upon each other,
as OF yore. Dramatic principles have not
changed, altho they have been sadly per-
verted, with temporary success.
Stripped of distractions, the delicious
comedy took on a new charm and fresh
interest that was grateful to tastes jaded
by surfeit of musical comedy and the
frocks and frills Of society drama The
thread of the play was followed unerring-
ly and its devious windings held the in
terest closely. The beauty and ingenuity
of the master playwright's construction
and the marvel Of his wide knowledge and
countless ingenious conceits were thrown
into high relief. This was made possible
by the unusual dramatic ability Of the
company, which played the old comedy
with JUNCTION and rollicking spirit, yet
with refined restraint. The lines, too.
were read in way to delight ears tired
by the mouthings of less finished players,
who depend on accessories rather than on
their art. 1t would be we'll worth while
to spend an evening simply hearing
Shakspere read as Mr.. Greet's players
read him.
On the other hand, it must be ad-
mitted that with all it's fresh charm, the
play in the Elizabethan, manner is bit
confusing. There was no change of scene
and nothing to indicate the divisions into
scenes and acts, the whole action taking
place without the use of the curtain. AS
the lines do not always indicate clearly
the changes, familiarity with the play was
necessary to follow the story perfectly
but this was not a serious difficulty. The
stage setting used was one ingeniously
contrived to afford as much variety. as
possible in a single set. Great pains had
been taken to secure authenticity in rep
resentation and the scene was an Eliza
bethan manor hall on the hangings Of
which were appliqued the initials Of the
virgin queen. The small servitors who
moved the furniture, lifted aside portieres
| and performed other minor offices were
! clad in blue smocks and had their hail
| bobbed off at the shoulder. Two armed
knights stood guard at either side Of the
| proscenium arch all evening and excited
mingled wonder and pity by their silent
endurance. The audience felt relieved
| when in one Of the slight divisional pauses
/ they solemnly changed places and were
| at length given stools by the serving lads
and gravely refreshed by tall cups O.
SACK The costuming was accurate ant
handsome without being unduly elaborate
i Mr.. Greet played the love-lorn Malvoli;
, with h aDnv 1iscratjOn-- The Viola of Con
. stance Crawley had a naturalness that i:
the perfection Of art. 1t was feminine
1 without being mawkish or unconvincing
4 She simulated the man we'll enough tt
/ deceive the unsuspecting, but did no
: overstep the bounds of womanly modest!
/ in her masquerading, making it easy ant
4 fitting for her to step back into her owl
character In a cast, all Of whom were
. admirable, special commentator woult
/ be given to the charmingly womanly ca
priciousness Of Agnes scott's Olivia. thu
Jester, with his songs, Sir Toby Belch,% ST
4 Andrew Aguecheek and Maria, the. maid
Il. SIR '.s-2 =z1.-Marthaa Scott Anderson.