The Detroit times., 1914-10-02
THE STAGE
.aARRick.

and admirers OF the nnlsneu ART Oh
Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson were
given rare feast. Thursday evening.
In the Garrick theater, when the emil
nent British actor presented Shaw's
"Caesar and Cleopatra" Shaw wrote
this play for Forbes Robertson and
no other actor has ever appeared III
Its leading role OF Caesar.
Several years ago, I'm this city. on
the stage Of the Detroit opera house,
presented the play.
That was before the local public had
become acquainted with Shaw, over
the footlights. and so the play, and
Its representation on that occasion.
was received with considerably less
than more. understanding. In the
meanwhile. Detroit playgoers have
come to know their Shaw, and to ap-
preciate this brilliant Irishman's keen
satirical wit. his bombardment OF
conventions. HIS ruthless slaying OF
SNUG Hypocrisy, his courage, original
ity and tremendous intellect, and;
therefore last nights presentation Of
Caesar and Cleopatra" was far
more appreciated. understood and:
enjoyed. than Sir Johnston's earlier
offering OF the play.
! Shaw, while drawing Caesar as a
great and noble Roman, resourceful
statesman. fearless soldier and con-
queror Of worlds, presents him with
human yanities and frailitles and puts
Into his mouth the speech OF the pres
emit day. He asks you to think Of
Caesar az kindly man of ga, who
has good time '.sky-larkings with
Cleopatra during his stay In Egypt,
the serpentsof the Nile being present.
ed as girl OF rs, cajoling Caesar
while she eoaxe& him to hasten back
TO Rome to send her Marc Antony.
Caesars first meeting with Cleopatra
IL accomplished by Shaw while the
Roman is wandering In the desert
and Cleopatra has taken refuge with
the Sphinx, falling asleep between its
great paws after firing search for
the sacred white cat which she
had taken away from the palace TO
offer as sacrifice to the SPHINX;
Kitty refuses to be SACRIFICED and
runs away with o black admirer.
Shaw has Q lot OF fun with lot OF
things during that delightful scene
ut the Sphinx.
One OF the delicious" morsels or
the whole play Ii the character OF
Brittanus, Caesars secretary, and
his lines are rich tid-bits OF wit and
humor. Ian Robertson's impersona-
.tion of Brittanus was excellent and
the. best work he has offered during
the present engagement.
Laura Cowie, whose youthful beau
ty and marked ability has adorned
the several different characters she
has been called upon to portray this
week, added another laurel In her Inn
personation OF Cleopatra. Sir Johns
ton is to be congratulated upon hay-
ing found SO clever and charming
young woman az Miss Cowie for his
leading woman 6nSfris present Ameri-
can tour.
The splendid material In the COM
pany made the entire presentation OF
the play highly successful George
Hayes played Appollodorus, the suave
and courtly Sicilian, In most graceful
fashion; Frank Lacy was, an admir-
able Rufo, and decided excellence
was shown by every member OF the
company In the depletion OF the vari-
ous characters.
The staging was artistic and pre-
scented series Of beautiful pictures
and. groupings.
Caesar and Cleopatra" will be re-
peated Friday evening; Saturday af-
ternoon, "The Passing OF the Third
Floor Back" will. be given. and Sat
urday evening. SIR Johnston win bid
final farewell as Dick Heldar, in
The Light That Failed.
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE.