The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-07-07
Shakespeare Properly Pro-
duced is Popular.
Tells Why and Cites the Indications
That Scholarly Efforts Wnl BE
Rewarded.
GREAT ACTOR TALKS OF ART.

viction that has characterized all his
efforts for the unfolding of the
drama, says with emphatic convic-
ton that at no time in the history of
the drama has the outlook for the
future been more hopeful for the
fulfllment of the expectations OF
those who have labored for a revival
of Shakespearean interest than at
this very time.
''In support of this assertion let
me say" says Mr.. James: Last
season | presented four classic plays,
each by a different author. "Riche-
lieu," by Bulwer Lytton; Virgin
ius," by Sheridan Knowles; lingo
mar" by Marie Lowell, and "The
Merchant of Venice by Shake
speare. OF the four plays probably
the latter was the least advertised,
the most modestly presented with
scenery, costumes, etc, and yet 1t
was the most popular and most lib
orally patronized of the four, fact
that speaks volumes in support of
the anticipations we hold that Shake
speare Is on the ascendancy.
Again, the study OF Shakespeare
is now established in every school,
public or secular. thus the younger
generation is daily getting imbued
with a love for the immortal bard
that is bound to bear good fruit in
the future.
Good actors are plentiful, but
good plays scarce. Little reason
therefore to make an analysis of the
reason why the public is coming
back again to their first love, Shake
peare."
Il also note in looking over the
statistics of the number Of visitors
who visited the home OF Shakespeare
at Stratford-on-Avon last year the
great increase over previous years;
an indication that the public are get
ting more and more interested not
only in the works, but in the life and
history of the greatest dramatist
that the world has ever known.
Shakespeare. when properly pre-
sented. is today in greater demand
than at any time in the last half CEN
fury. | will say. however. that the
demand for comedy is greater than
for tragedy.
"Johnson's definition of the word
theatre Is accepted today in its truest
literal sense. "a place of amuse-
ment," and nothing more or less.
Don't think I am decrying the mis-
sion of the stage by saying so. oh,
dear no. Far from 1t. I am mere
ly speaking from practical expert
ence of one who has been an actor
for forty-two years, who has noted
the change of things theatrical both
from an artistic as well as com
mercial standpoint. Give the public
the better things in the drama and
you will find them today as respon-
sive as they were at the time thai
history says was THE golden era Of
the stage"
do you believe in adhering to the
traditional business of the class
ics?" was asked Mr.. James. Eyes
do" was the reply, but only Sc
far as the traditional business 4
good" When a modern conception
is better than that presented, by for
! mer opponents of the classics, ] be
. iieve by all means in accepting the
, modern and abandoning the tradi
tlonal. For instance, It is not neces
sary in Macbeth to have Bango ap
, pear with a bloody cash upon hi
throat to convey to the audience thu
fact that he was murdered. In fact
: believe in the obliterating alto
= gether of the material appearance o
: an apparltlon, when an actor can b.
: suggestion succeed in attaining tn
4 same results, and here let me say i
e where the true actor comes in evi
/, dence. as the greatest achievement
a in art is to conceal art. l believ
that rejecting a reality is a create
art than either reproducing or ex
o aggerating II. l do not believe Il
: adding TO the text of Shakespeare
but | do believe in eliminating a.
a that is lrrevelant to the action of
play or the modern methods OF wha
e may term the natural solution of
:" problem-for dialogue acceptable I
t; the conditions of zoe years ag
would appear salacious today.
81 am not in sympathy with a
If over-elaboration OF scenic investitur
D or mechanical accessories to an
v play, because this always detract
Ie from the proper rendition of III