The Washington times., 1910-06-18
SHAKESPEARE HEARD
IN MINIATURE ARDEN
Outdoor Performances on
White House Grounds
Delight Audiences.

Arden was not more beautiful in the
days when Shakespeare wrote than was
its mimic counterpart last night when
the CobUrn Players rendered AS You
Like II" beneath the trees Of the White
House lawn in the presence Of the Pres
ident and Mrs Taft and a large but
anxious audience.
Anxious. because Of the threatening
clouds that all the while lowered from
above and beyond the Monument, the
weather man all the time was doing his
best TO avert the catastrophe OF a gen
uine storm. And the President showed
his confidence in his subordinate at the
Weather Bureau by sitting tight even
when few gentle drops Of rain STAN
peded many Of the listeners.
For a brief minute IL looked as though
Orlando would not see his RosaIind
clothed In her own original self and
would not bear away the reward his
passionate love deserved. The rain
came while yet she sported as the
charming shepherd. but the President
stayed. and with him many Of the audi
ence, 20 see the finale and its joyous
song Of united couples.
Mrs. Coburn was a most delightful
Rosalind. Briskly and airily, she led
the IOve-lOrn Orlando over the path or
love.
Played Under the Moon
The moon came out last night
through the clouds as Orlando was
playing at love with the shepherd in
the forest Firefiies fitted past the
lovers. and bats few swiftly by in
pursuit OF foolish moths, attracted
by the lights. The voices OF the
chorus, hidden behind the knoll
where the dainty play was enacted,
aaoea 20 he beauty Of Il all. 50,
Win the beauties OF nature as the
settings OF the love play, the songs
OF the chorus, the wit of the actors,
and the happy sentiment that brought
about the proper ending Of IL all for
everybody. the spectators carried
away with them nothing but peace
tul remenb>@uces OF the sylvan play.
As Orlando, Coburn was just the
man handsome and manly, 10 was
no wonder that Rosaltud loved him at
-ll7l s---- he Was Just as foolish
lover as such young man should be.
but no more so. His tenderness to-
ward the feeble old Adam. which
I;oydoE Erlyune played so admirably,
and bis contempt for the melancholy
Jacques were all done well by Mr..
COburu-
Jacques. played by Frank Peters.
3lu not make so lasting an impression
as DE rs expected 20 make In this play.
int AugUstin DUuCan's Ttouchsrone
was excellent He displayed admir-
ably the wit and Erimace Of the
clown who almost reached the phil
osOpneT.
A Silly Audrey.
And Audrey. his country vyench. that
he had stolen from William, the coun-
try Iout, she was as funny and silly
as she could be made Miss Alice
wilson played the silly Audrey ad-
Dtrably- Her EigEle caught the humOr
or the crowd Amelia BarlesOn was a
gentle and ICvable Celia.
The local chorus was under the d.
recuon OF Miss Bentley, director OF
music OF the Washington public
schools, and each solg received the
approval Of the listeners The voices
OF the girls blended wei. and the
Iendlu ton Of each song indicated
careful practice.
In the afternoon Twelfth Night" was
PLAYED before a large audience seated
IN Jle shade or the trees behind the omen
ar theater No better proof that Shake
Speare meant his listeners to be amused
IS needed than numerous broad comedy
scenes IN this play. The lines them
selves, and the work Of J. J. Kennedy.
as Sr Toby BelcE, combined TO make
mem the most enjoyed portions Of the
performance Mrs. COburen was pleas.
Ing as Viola. The play is hardly so wei
suited Tor outdoor presentation as As
on Like It. and still less for perform
auce In broad daylight
All In All, the playing Of both come
dies was a distinct triumph for the Co
burn players, and its returns will make
funds OF the Washington Fairgrounds
Association.