New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-29
COSTUME PLAYS
Lewis Waller Thinks lhe'r
Popularity Of Indefinite
Duration.

Tho revival of costume plays has OF lale
hoo, the subject Of considerable discus
lion arponc those responsible for our ORA
,,,otio entertainment. Some have argued
that the day Of the romantic drama u
-. ,,buc others have been strong IN
,hoi. conviction that an early return 10
costume plays is inevitable Among 'he
l.ttcr the name Of David Belasco StaHoS
out very prominently, and In recent W.
tcrview he stated in very posltNe terms
that the time for rcviVing costume pro-
auctions is rapidly drawing near ana thaV
such revival will prove Of considerapio
financial gain 10 their exporters IL may
therefore be OF interest 20 repeat the
opipion on this subject, declared the other
dov bv one who has probably appeareu
rnorc frequently as the wearer OF the
cloak and napier than any actor Oh o"'
stage to-day.
Approached on the subject. Lewis Waller
who will offer for the first time here ms
production of Shakespcare's king Hen
Wv V" nj Days Theatre to-morro"
night. was quick and decisive In express
ing his views Costume plays said ne
"hayc always been, and always VIII pc'
popular with theatre-goers everywhere az
long as they are properly produceo anu
capably interpreted. While 1t may De uue
that the publiC's taste for dramauc piO-
ductions will vary, it has been proven
time and time again that IN the 'asc u
the romantic drama public taste Is not 4"
potent factor, but, on the contrary 'ie
tbeatre-going element Will almost in'aila-
l,,y suuport such rcvivals when presenteu
with capable casts. The most recent case
I'm point, and one that is proOapiy sun
fresh I'm the minds of many Is my re-
yivaI Of Monsieur Beaucaire last SPI."e'
had been strongly advised against at
tempting to produce play Wlhch' sup
posedlv. had already outlived us worm
but Notwithstanding the counScls o. hlS
v-eIl-meaning friends 1 remained strong
i'm my determination 10 produce this brlh-
larf romantic comedy feeling assured
that ] would meet with success. The run
HAT .Beaucairc enjoyed at Dalys Inc
,tro last season is now too well known TO
require any comment,
81 recall also that between the years
1850 and 1890 there was a conspicuous aO-
sauce Of costume plays in the repe''o'S
of English-producing managers, not DC
cauye there was no demand for such
rlays. but rather because during that
period Their, was a dearth Of actors III
england who were properly suited TO IN
-crprct the romantic drama. / was theh
producing and acting in modern Io!eS'
when I suddenly DECIDED 10 revive Inc
Three Musketeers COR short season.
with "a view Of feeling the pudYlcs pu'Sc
for such productions; and my success was
sn pronounced and the financial returns
we're so big that other actor-managers I'M
roediatelv BEGAN to organize companies Tor
tho production of romantic plays, and the
great favor with which many OF these
organizations met was remarkable lndeeu'
Tins success. however, was not due to ans
change IN dramatic taste, but SIMPLY ne
cause the now generation had uneaTthtd
g. wealth of talent admirably suited TO in
tsfpret romantic roles. So It is to-day
and so il will be always. Give the public
q play Of merit. staged properly and pro-
duced by players who fit their parts, ana
t1c production will prove a success
whether it be IN modern attire or in cos
tune"
I'm discussing the characters he had
pl9vod. Mr.. Waller is inclined 10 regard
Hrutus as ms favorite. My reason for
This selection" he satd. lis that Brutus
appeals to me as the most perfect man
IN the whole gallery Of the great Shake
spearcan characters, on account Of his
dignity and gentleness. his absolute sense
Of light and duty, his tenderness, and he
love he bore 10 Portia.
"Wero ]. however, 10 consider the mat
ter from the actors point OF view OF
playing the part for a run, ! should be
inclined 10 select Henry " for the rea-
son that this IS q greater acting role.
But apart from the classical drama,
Monsieur Beaucaire' which have played
many hundreds OF times, Is a strong IA
vorite with re on account OF his many
delightful characteristics, his chivalry
toward women. his humor, his wit, and
bis general brilliancy, all Of which give
the actor great opportunity for the dis
inlay Of his art But, eliminating the
above and a few other roles for which [
have a special liking, ! enjoy playing I'm
modern attire as much as in costume, and
my repcrtory will probably show that I
have played modern and costume roles in
equal proportion