Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-21
JAMES PLAYS
TWO DROMIOS
GIVES FINE PERFORMANCE OF
THE DRAMA
ncoMEpY OF ERRORS" DELIGHTS
AUDIENCE
Star Succeeds in Differentiating Be-
tween Two Characters, Identical in
ExternaIs, So That Each Has
a Distinct Personality
BY sIpLE LAWRENCE


Much abridged, with several scenes and
one character of the original play omitted
entirely, Louis James version of THE
Comedy of Errors was presented on the
Mason stage last night for the first time
in Los Angeles. I do not know what
Bowdler prepared this acting version for
Mr.. James use for, nor why such extern
sive liberties have been taken with the
text Omissions there must be from all
of Shakespeare's plays to make possible
their presentation within the space OF time
allotted nowadays to such purpose, but
the comedy In this instance has been SO
much condensed so thoroughly and pains
takingly bowdlerized that one may well
wish the dramatic tailor had more spar
ing of his shears. However, the James
version, mutilated as it is, remains. OF
course right merry comedy-or farce, as
we of today employ the word.
Has Latin Origin
This is the one play written by Shake
speare which Is based upon Latin orig
inal. The comedy was suggested by the
Menoechmi of Plautus, though likely
enough through indirect channels. Its fun
arises through a constant employment OF
one of the oldest devices of comedy-mis-
taken identity, here extended to two sets
of twins, identical in externals and diff
fering only moderately in character and
disposition.
In the case of the two Dromios this diff
ference is less apparent than with the
brothers Antipholus, and for this reason
Mr.. James set himself a difficult task
when he essayed to play both the Dromio
of Ephesus and he of Syracuse. That he
succeeds without plunging his audience
into confusion speaks highly of his art.
Has NmbIe Wit
Both Dromios are comical fellows, but
he of Syracuse has the nimbler wit AS
his master says:
"a trusty villain, sir, that very oft,
When / am dull with care and melanchoiy'
Lightens my humor with his merry jests.
The wit of the Syracuse Dromio is more
spontaneous than that of his brother 1t
flows more naturally and is less involved.
He is merry wight, accepting even his
beatings in good part, with jest upon
his tongue and laughter on his face.
The Ephesian Dromio is less sprightly.
He approaches his jokes ponderously and
with all gravity. The distinction Mr..
James makes in the two characters is
well shown in his method of delivering
the lines:
''The capon burns, the pig falls from the spit;
The clock has stricken twelve upon the bell;
She is SO hot because the meat Is cold
The speech is made by the Dromio of
Ephesus to the Antipholus of Syracuse
whom he mistakes for his master. AS
given by Mr.. James it is spoken slowly
gravely and with noncommital counte-
nance Had it been placed in the mouth
of the other Dromio Mr.. James would
have read the lines in joking tone. with {
laugh and antic manner of department
Two Distinct Personalities
| This differentiation between the tw'
| characters is maintained throughout thu
| comedy, carefully shaded and never mad'
too obtrusive. 1t was a nice problem thu
actor set himself, and he has worked 4
out finely. His Dromios are distinct per
sonalities, consistently portrayed and vast
| ly amusing both of them.
The stars supporting company appears
to much better advantage. in this comedy
than in 1.-THE Merry Wives of Windsor, ;
where more exacting demands are made
upon their capabilities. Frederick Paul
ding plays the Syracuse Antipholus ef-
fectively, and Aphie James as Adriana
and Eugenia Webb as her sister con-
tribute much to the humor of the situa-
tions in which they have place. Mrs
James, however. shows a tendency tC
overdo the jealousy of the character. w
G. Andrews gives burlesqued perform
ance of DR.. Pinch, the conjurer, which
delighted last nights audience.
"The Comedy of Errors will be repeat
ed at the matinee today. Tonight "The
Merry Wives of Windsor" will be the bill