New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-22
SAM CHIP.
In Wonderland" at the Majestic
on Tuesday.
THE LIST WEEK.
Sothern and 1farJozCe and The Tam
ing of the Shre7c.'

The production OF The Tanning of the Shrew"
BIZ NJ. Sothern and Miss AIarIowe az the KnIck-
erbocker Theatre last Monday was the cause of
& considerable body OF criticism and discussion
which has since found its way into print. No
one complains Of this-least Of all Mr.. Sothern
and Miss MarIowe- Discussion of the concep-
ton Of q classic play betokens a healthy inter
est n the drama, and certain degree Of serious
ness OF the part OF the producers-even If It is
not always very fruitful IN actual results. In
the present instance one thing is certain: the
two stars thought out carefully what conception
they would take Of the play, fortified them
selves with argument and, far possible.
with example. and acted accordingly. Briefly.
their conception was this: The Tanning Of the
shrsE' Is wild, Elizabethaa farce. the few stage
directions II the text al point to wild extrav-
sgzrce-~E1te- Eo-tensio with g broken head"
etc-of real character comedy there is next TO
none indicated. Of farce and horseplay there is
everything; therefore, the drama should be pre-
scented as roaring farce 10 be true to the
shakespea-iaa idea, as roaring farce and lit
tie else Thus they present 1t. in a measure un-
successfully.
Now there is little use in QuarreIling with
this conception Without question It may be
justified by the known facts. and the two stars
have perfect right to it It might be pointed
out that as regards the carrying out OF their
conception they err; that no such elaboration OF
stage business as they have invented was in
dulged IN By Shakespeare, that by trailing every
character with q mandolin and guitar club they
have been forced TO cut out whole pages OF
text needed 10 elucidate the sub-story OF
Blanca and her love affair; that the sentimental
passages Of the play were much more the work
o. Shakespeare than the farcical passages, which
he Gifted" sometimes almost without change
frnr7 IN iii Mia nd
ent production is not so near the true Tanning
Of the Shreu'' ss Mr.. Sothern and Miss Mar
lowe suppose. But. even so. their main concep-
ton, as disclosed at the Knickerbocker, cannot
be condemned as impossible and false their
right TO il is not invalidated-
However there is another conception, made
possible by the change Of taste since 1900. by
tluumerabIe performances Of the farce by the
tori1g process of time And those who cling to
this conception have their rights, too Just as
the invention Of elaborate scenery makes true
Shakespea-ian performance impossible on me
modern stage the toning up Of Kate and Petru-
chic BY great players Of the past has maze IoF
some persons. an utterly farclcal rendering OF
these parts unpleasant II not pa1IIAo4- -AA4oS
Ada Rehan, magnificent, regal IN her rage, was
e shrew worth tanning Ihat PetrucnIO AlisM
this was Main Through the farce and tuInulI
emerged a woman and q man in the clash OF
conflict the real conflict OF character. mats
was no catfish rniIkInaid, who bit ana scratched
and laughed betiues at her own antlcs- II was
real business tanning her. That is what the play
can mean. II It doesn't mean this II KATE lsll
worth tanning, there is grave question II the pay
is worth doing at all-Unless II IS presented en-
trely II the Shakespearian manner sans ser
cry. sans mandolin clubs, and with the love al
fairs Of Blanca intact and something more &C
ceprsble in eIoc11tion than Mr.. Sothern displays
Such at any rate. is the conception or consld-
cradle body Of theatregoers. who have as Inuch
right 70 their view as SoIhern to his. But &c
KJistfh1Is''- Let there be an end. The Play
lasts only one more week