Omaha daily bee., 1910-11-27
How
Library Can
Aid Drama Student

Weak from continuous laughter, one was
after a performance OF Seven Days" when
change in mood was suddenly forced by
an overheard remark-"Characters hope
! lessly overdrawn."
| 1t is foolish to let pronouncements of this
sort interfere with ones own peace OF mind
although they are excessively irritating at
the time and this one was particularly SO
when the characters were so exceptionally
true to life for a frank farce. Yet such a
judgment, although widely erroneous, may
be viewed in another light. Here was a
man who was seeking at least TO apply
some standard Of real criticism to what
he had seen and heard and who was mot
simple voicing what he liked or disliked
and therefore not setting up as a iudg-
ment what realty amounts only to personal
within. Anyone who wishes to Judge a play
through analysis Of its elements or to
make reference Of the acting to genuine
criteria, should be encouraged even II. as
in the case above, the resultant judgment
was directly opposite the truth
The above two paragraphs may serve as
sort of preface to a few hints hoped to
be helpful to such as he. It is purposed to
speak somewhat Of the first aids to the
dramatically inclined which are TO be found
in the dramatic alcove in the Omaha Public
library. Nothing ike a photography is the
intention because this is not very useful
even II IT would be read. Instead attention
will be called to one book in particular,
and few others at less length, which will
be Of real service to him or her who would
learn something basic about the principles
OF dramatic construction.
The one volume referred TO is 1.-THE
Technique of the Drama" by William T,
Price and though published in 1892 is far
from being out Of date. Mr.. Price has
later and larger work which is not in the
library at present but which has been or
dered. The smaller book will be the more
helpful anyhow. 1t is a book which sue
ceeds admirably in its object which is
stated I'm the preface TO be-
/ MOT TO give formulas for the making Of
various kinds OF plays, but to state such
/ obvious and accepted principles as underlie
the drama-priuciples that are known 10
every literary worker, and that are ante
cedent 10 the tricks Of the trade. .
| The chief authority that a book Of this
kind can have Is the authority Of principle
and that only is urged for It,
This book Is addressed not alone 20 the
dramatic author. real or possible, but to
the playgoing public and the general
student Of literature, for there is in
{ eyitably a responsive elevation in the
drama when audiences are critical enough
10 demand high work. TO the dramatic
critic OF the newspaper the writer Chav-
ing himself been in the living conflict
proffers the book as an aid IN the eeaEeless
struggle against evil"
And 10 this IL may be added that Mr.
Prices book has been Of great value in the
achievement Of the aims for which he
wrote.
No brief newspaper article can give a
really comprehensive idea OF the book and q
schedule Of chapters is the best TO be at
tempted in these limitations. The chapters
number twelve and are entitled and sub
divided as follows:
I. The Drama-Its definition; D the
Dramatic Idea; CD the Use Of the Drama
H. The Three Elements OF a Drama-u
the Ethical; 20 the Aesthetic; 90 the Tech
meal
III. The Principles OF Unity.
~. The Division Into Acts-The Be
ginning, D the Introduction; Cd the De.
velopment. the Middle, 80 the Crisis OF