Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-03
THE SHREW'
A SUCCESS
HELAsco COMPANY OFFERS GOOD
PRODUCTION
MISS sToDDARD ASSUMES ROLE
OF KATHARINE
Lewis Stone Is the Petruchio and
Harry cIazIer the LucentIo-cos-
tuning and Scenery Are
Effective
nv sIDLD LAWRENCE

Shakespeare's rare old COMEDY Inc
Tanning of the Shrew," is revived at the
Belhsco theater this week, the version
used being that prepared by the late
Augustin DAILY, who. perhaps more tnan
any other modern manager, treated his
Shakespearean productions with the rev.
erence beftting their origin. 1t follows,
therefore, that the comedy as presented
at the Belasco, conforms closely TO the
original 1t has been cut in places to
bring It's action within the space of time
ordinarily allotted to stage presentations
in this modern day. and cut, occasionally,
to conform to modern delicacy in the
matter of stage department and read
ings. Otherwise it is as the bard
wrote 1t.
The Belasco production is given with
an opulence of costuming and scenery
beyond reasonable expectations. 1t is a
well rounded production of which Hobart
Bosworth, the company's stage director,
has every right to feel proud.
Miss Blanche Stoddard plays the
shrewish Katharine; Mr. Stone, the Pc
truchio; Harry Glazier, Lucentio; VIII
liam Yearance, Baptista, and Florence
Smythe, Blanca.
Acting Is Worthy
Making due allowance for the brief
time a stock company with weekly
changes of bill can devote to prepara-
tion, the acting as whole was worthy
of high commendation. Miss Stoddard's
Katharine demands serious considera-
ton. Its merits are obvious. Its defects
may be summed up briefly as lack of
introspection resulting in a too quick
transition from the termagant to the
dutfful wife. In this regard her work
wants shading. In depicting Petruchio's
mastery over his new-made wife. Miss
Stoddard has neglected to show us also
katharine's mastery over herself, a not
less remarkable achievement
Mr. Stones Petruchio is less admir-
able. He experiences difficulty with
the Shakespearian verse and his hus-
band lacks authority At the risk of
being accused of lese majestic it may be
said that Mr.. Stone appears to have
been mis-cast. There is, of course
much in his work that is praiseworthy
as there must be in everything he does
but there is also a deplorable lack
His acting is obvious throughout the
five acts of the comedy. In extenu
alton of this it can be urged, and wit
Justice. that Petruchio is supposed
act; that is playing a part within
part. but I will venture to say tha
Petruchio must have been a better &C;
or, in this role than Mr.. Stone,
have cozened his Katharine so coni
pletely.
Glazier a Fine Lucentio
Harry Glazier gives us an admirable
reading of Lucentio, a reading that
flows naturally and smoothly. Fol-
lowing the advice to the players in
Hamlet" his speeches come trippingly
from the tongue His Lucentio is an
achievement both in locution and act
ting; an excellent piece of work, worthy
to rank with the best
Similarly Mr.. Hobart Bosworth de-
serves high praise for his handling of
two minor roles. a lord. in the induc
ton and tailor in act four. 1t is
matter for regret that Mr.. Bosworth
did not see fit to give us a more ex
tended view of his fine Shakespearean
qualities.
AS was to have been expected John
DAILY Murphy's Grumio, is a finely ec-
centric characterization.
A feature of the production is the
retention of the quaint induction. The
cast Is an extensive one and the in
cidental diversions of the wedding
dance and the banquet song are we'll
contrived and executed.
Taken as a whole, the Belasco pres
entation is worthy effort well deserv-
ing the patronage not only of the
regular theatergoers but of Shakes
pearean students as well. who will find
In 1t much to admire. 1t Is some
thing that Los Angeles possesses
stock organization courageous enough
to attempt "The Shrew;" 1t Is much
that the company has succeeded so well
in Its self appointed task.