The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-21
ADJUSTMENTS
Metropolltan-"Merry Wives Of Wind
Sor,"

Metropolltan-"Merry Wives OF Wind
.... sor."
Louis James and accompanying play
ers are giving Minneapolis audiences their
first dip Of the season into the Shaks-
perean spring this week, and the sefsa-
ton is nothing but pleasing. Mr.. James,
probably the most capable comedian in
the legitimate lists of the time, finds in
the lines of Falstaff a groundwork pecu-
liarly adapted to his powers, and to his
we'll known temperamental touch upon
the lighter side Of situation and pose.
He has taken liberties with the text thru
softening some Of the crassness Of the
period and has eliminated parts in en-
tirety to let attention fall solely upon
the authors theme-the intrigues and
discontinue Of the larded knight. This
will give no offense to any save the
deeply critical, fortunately so few in
number that Ben Greet might satisfy
them all, in a night, by an Elizabethan
| revival, staged in a comparatively small
| theater. 's--....
! In the James arrangement of the
| Merry Wives,' more properly speaking.
| the James selection, the full attention is
directed from start to finish, to the pom
| derous lovemaking Of Falstaff, the In
genious connivance Of Mistress Ford and
Mistress Page, the dupl1city OF Mistress
Quickly and the uncomfortable jealousy
of Ford. The love affairs Of Anne Page.
ever incidental to the central thought,
are missing.
Mr.. James gives sprightly, yet pom
derous Falstaff. He is never more gross
than Shakspere has made him. He Is
mountainous of physique and intellect,
yet possessing a saving sense OF humor
flashing here and there. with touch
completely Illuminating the intent of the
bard. It is a distinctly James version of
Falstaff, and one over which there can
be no cavil. His work is clean cut and
altho the last of a long line of the title,
his version possesses the merit Of orig
inality.
In support there is nothing wanting
or lacking d, Nellie McHenry gives tc
Mrs. Quickly an impudent and viva
cious capacity in the furtherance of sil
Johns downfall and confusion. Norman
Hackett imparts to Ford the full meeo
Of unreason and jealousy. In the case
of both Of these capable players the read
ing of the lines is impeccable.
! OF the meritorious order is the WORN
of Alpine James, Mistress Ford, ant
Charlotte Lambert, Mrs. Page. Ad
mirably cast for the rendition of these
parts the two leave nothing to be de-
sired in any detail. The Bardolph
Pistol and Nym, SO far as appearing
of Mr.. Burt, Mr.: Young and Mr.. Ward
are filed with all of the authors inten
ton of intemperance, knavery and brag
gadocio. Horace Lyndon as Slender
and Lillian Lancaster as Anne Pag
have limited fields in the present pro
duction but make the most of brief op
portunity The support, in its entirety
lacks nothing in its assistance. toWar'
making a wonderfully well-rounded gath
ering of players. $500 .~.-...-,...
Costurning and scenic effects furnish
no hinge upon which a critic may hant
his carping. Newness, but not a dis
tasteful newness predominates thruout
Mr.. James is presenting a noteworthy
selection from the Shaksperean plays
and presenting it, wholly, in praise
worthy manner. j. H. R.