The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-15
.LENTEN TOPICS IF
 GENERAL INTEREST
"As Yeu Like It" to Be Pre-
 Sented In he Open
NOTES HERE AND THERE
Outdoor Performance of Shakespeare's Comedy Will Be Given In the
 Grounds of the Country
 Club In Midsummer.

Society is much interested in the an nouncement made yesterday that the Country club governors have closed 0 contract with the Coburn Shakespeare players, who will present an out-of-door performance of AS You Like It" later in the summer.
 Some seasons ago an effort was made to have the Ben rect company present the same play in the grounds of the Country club, and great disappointment was expressed at the time at the failure of the plans. The announcement that the Coburn Shakespeare players, who rank second to none in the United States. will play an engagement here has been received with enthusiastic interest
 MT. Mcdowell, the secretary of the club has not yet announced the date for the presentation of As You Like It. but already the interest expressed indicates that it will be brilliant occasion so- cially.
 This company of players will appear in the leading southern cities for a series of open air performances. The natural op- portunities afforded by the beautiful grounds of the golf and country clubs is said to be the foundation for Mr. Co., burns original idea of giving Shakes pearian plays in open air, exclusively under the auspices of the clubs.
 Owing too, to the inactivity of general theatricals in New York city during the midsummer, MT 'Coburn is able to enlist the services of the best opponents of Shakesperan drama.
 In referring to the al fresco performance an exchange says:
 It is impossible to describe adequately the beauty and grandeur of the al fresco performance, free from tricks and artif1- cialities of the theatre. At the edge of wood, under the enchantment of night, the swaying of trees, the sweet scent of growing things, and the twinkling of stars over head, as far back as the eye can see, runs the stage of natures own scenery.
 The effect of midday, sunset and moon- light is charmingly and naturally pro- duced by powerful calciums distributed throughout the forest, bringing out in fine contrast the vivid yet harmonious colors of the costumes against the background of green trees, preserving that atmos- phere of remoteness which renders the illusion perfect.
 The sweet strains of song preface every scene and as the last note dies away the characters seem to float out of the forest, moving and speaking in unison with the music. Thus the audience does srritr hn of players but lives with them far back In the day when men and women lived close to the heart of nature.
 Much thought has been given to the incidental music, reviving many of the original arrangements of the songs which were used by Shakespeare's own company CThe Lord Chamberlain's Servants.) These songs are interspersed throughout the plays by the Sylvan quartet of male voices.
 Mrs. Josiah Patterson of Memphis ar rived yesterday and is the guest of her daughters, Mrs. Sterling J. Foster. Mrs. Patterson has recently been the guest of her son, Gov Malcolm Patterson of Ten nessee, at the executive mansion, where she was charmingly entertained, the man. sion having most gracious mistress in the person of Mrs. Malcolm Patterson, whose marriage was so notable an event of last year.
 At the residence of Mrs. J. A. vanHoose an Easter egg hunt will be given on Sat urday afternoon at 4 clock under the auspices of the Kings Daughters.
 Mrs. R. c. Woodson will entertain the Study circle on Thursday afternoon in- stead of Friday at the Country club.
 Dr. Wyatt Hef1in is in Washington, D. c.
 MT. and Mrs. Richard Franz Kracker- witzer are at home at 2232 Sycamore street.
 Work on the new residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. Campbell Maben, Jr., is progress ing rapidly. It is located on Linden street, at that picturesque curve in the mountain road where the view is en- trancing in every direction, either looking down upon the far-away city or up the W1llte cuTNlHS IOdu, iooSllS llSeiI III the trees. The house will be colonial.
 The handsome residence being erected by MT. and Mrs. Hubert Scruggs on High land avenue will add to the group of beautiful houses in the neighborhood of Waucoma street. It will be sometime be- fore 1t is completed, but it already gives evidence of spaciousness and beauty.