New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-17
Play Is Excellently Acted
Lillah Mccarthy Heads Cast
as Helena.
"a Midsummer Nights Dream" by
william Shakespeare. At Wallack's
TIE CAST
BY HECTOR TURNBULL.

Granville Bankers much herslded
production of Shakespeare's "a Mid
summer Nights Dream" was given its
first public performance last night at
Wallack's Theatre. and it must be said
that all the praise and comment be-
slowed upon it by the English review
ers when il was FIST given in London
appeared to be quite justifable.
To many of us. IL we have acquired
the habit of being honest with ourselves
regarding the classic drama, tins play
is probably the least interesting and
most futile of Shakespeare's comedies
to read. and the promise OF conven-
tioDal performance IS rather TO De
feared than welcomed.
Mr.. Barker, however. has evidently
very little patience with the conven-
tions-at least, the accepted ones-ot
the drama, and a great fund of original
ideas in providing artistic illusion and
an effective atmosphere for his plays:
His Midsummer Nights Dream,
therefore, was thoroughly delightful
and a most welcome surprise, present
ed without a single Earring note, either
in the playing or in the curious hodge
podge of fantastic costumes, scenery
and stage arrangement.
This fact is more notable than may
at first appear, for with the newly ar
rived fashion in the theatres OF dress
ing the classics in bizarre garo TO make
them acceptable to this apathetic gen
Grafton some weird and daring deed.
are done. Given the magic names OF
Rheinhardt or Bakst, and everything
even the original text, may 60 by the
board.
Happily this freedom Of expression,
this atmospheric orgy, works wonders
with Mr.. Bankers present production.
His most bizarre extravagance, from
the gilded unearthly sprites and FAIRIES
10 the striking arrangement OF the last
ulay scene, far from appearing obtru-
siye add a piquant charm that makes
the play q splendid achievement and
one that should make the work OF the
English producer as stimulating in ITS
effect on our drama here as 1t was
abroad. .,
The decorations, which were designed
by Norman wilkinson, and the music
and dances,,by Cecil Sharp, are such
important factors in the general ef-
feet Of the production that they de-
serve more than a passing mention IN
this column. They will be reviewed at
greater length at another time. ~,
The playing was fine tribute 10 Mr:
Barker's talents as a director. All or
the roles were filled by players EVIL,
IDENTIFY selected with taste and care, ana
schooled to high degree in that I'M
portant essential TO Shakespearlan per-
formance we call team work. fer-
haps one of the most welcome cnar-
acters was the Oberon OF Horace bra
ham, who played with a hne con
sistency and read his lines with de-
lightful clarity Of diction.
Lillah Mccarthy, beautiful to look
unon. PLAYED Helena and give re-
freshinely spirited performance. Eva
Leonard Boyne's Hernia was equaiIy
welcome, particularly her quarrei ssene
with Helena, which was carried OH III
a very human, very catty fasnlon'
Bottom, who is always either the
ioy or the despair OF any performance
of this comedy, was admirably piayeo
nv Ernest Cossart, who entered into
the shirt Of the role with such show
Of whimsical humor and merry good
nature that his every appearance was
hailed with delight. Mr.. Heggle. the
peripatetic "Androcles" Of the former
production, added his skilful touch to
The part Of Ounce, and Ian Maclaren
and Walter Creighton made the pair
of lovers as nearly interesting as their
roles would allow. Cecil Cameron
played Puck with leaps and bounds
and made him a really merry sprite;;
isabel Jeans was a graceful Titanis and
the rest of the cast deserve com
mendation for their playing in the
lesser roles.
At the private performance gwen on
Sunday night Granville Barker MADE
a speech, in which he mentioned the
fact that he was no artistic spend
thrift" and that his repertory theatre
was "a sound business proposition
Let US hope that these two statements
will influence his proposed supporters
among the founders Of the old New
Theatre so that we can be assured OF
having Mr.. Barker and his delightful
plays and players with us for long