The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-17

All viii be in readiness tonight for
the sylvan play on the White House
Grounds
The Weather Bureau today gives
assurance that fair weather will
continue through this afternoon and
evening, for the Fairgrounds bene-
fl. Patrons Of the play who braved
the threatening storm last night
gotta glimpse Of staSe settings and
surroundings so peculiar in themselves
and so beautiful that the picture Will
cling TO their memory many a day.
Shakespeare himself viii attend the
play tonight in spirit If the shades Of
the departed are permitted TO stray
from the reservation Of the blessed.
And he viii imagine himself again in
he very Forest Of Arden where the
piquant RosaInd played at love with
the love-lorn Orlando. If he comes.
Shakespeare viii see again the delight
-fui drama in which he played a part.
that OF the old servant Adam. and. no
doubt, he viii relish the wit and win
somcness Of all the actors in this TWEEN
ueth century production Of his drama
under the trees in the midst OF a great
city.
On the beautiful knoll where stands p
majestic buckeye tree, the stage has
been ltieQ up From its grage-sf re V-r
surface spring a graceful pine and low
eTlng shrubs, where EOsaIind will teach
the willing Orlando the ways of lovers
or 10 the right OF this sylvan stage
plays the White House fountain with
IT'S hundred sprays Beyond IL. looms
into the clouds the great white A!0nu-
menI- To the left Of the audience is the
stately mansion OF the Presidents
The chairs and boxes were but sparce-
1 r-I d a rr-r.-
cloud above and behind the Monument
began TO roll OminOUsly ND toward the
scene OF the forest play Soon, the very
breath Of the coming storm swept over
rhe DIMINISHING audience and then there
was rush for the gate, where rain
-ShccSs were given out
AS You Like IT, can never be
thoroughly enjoyed inside, after being
seen on such platform as has been
prepared for the COhurn players. IL is
particularly fitting that this sweet and
DAINTY play Of the master dramattSt
should have SUCH stage Shakespeare
played IL this way. When DE wrote H.
Pc was thinking of The beauty and
peace and quiet grandeur of the forest.
u mas been called the resting place
pf the great master. He had last FIN
eShed some OF his splendid historical
plays This was the transition 10 the
great tragedies that marked the third
period Of has literary production. Here
DE gave the world a play that has none
u i4-t Tragic none OF the Legrt-reud-
tIE and intense action of the Hamlers
and OthellCs which were to come His
mind was at peace when this play was
conceived. The peace of the forest ne
wrote mo his comedy
If rain prevents either Twelfth
Night this afternoon or AS You Like
1t tonight, or both. hope viii not be
abandoned for al fresco performances,
Tor the Coh)Tns have Cancelled an en-
gagement which they had in Albany
n Y, for tomorrow. and through the
consent Of the President and Mrs. Taft
they win play Saturday afternoon and
evening if today's program Is marred
By showers.
The panuant on the wireless tower Of
the Evans building VIII be placed at half
mast lf today's performances are to nc
postponed until Saturday
Last night after il became apparent
that the performance could not be
given at least two OF the players en-
Joyed the compromising grace" for
their loss. as Mr.. and Mrs Coburn. in
The trappi1gs OF Orlando and ROsalinC.
had the privilege or meeting the Pre6i-
dent and Mrs Taft.