The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-29

peals far more to people now than ever before, when 1t is well presented" said Sir Johnston. "I have had tremendous success with my Hamlet do not be- lieve that an entire repertoire of Shakespeare would appeal to the gem eral public, hence the modern actor being opportunist, must choose plays to alternate with it that please as well. There has been much discussion as to the apparent decline of the Shake sperian drama in Englnad. while it flourishes elsewhere, but this is true only where theatres are state-su supported and Shakespeare regularly produced. When the most eminent professors are
 employed in it's translation to other languages it would seem as if some ap- preciation still existed everywhere, giv- | ing as these translations do to the Teu- tonic playgoers Shakespeare in his own vernacular, and not as is the case with the English speaking playgoer in the
 English of the Elizabethian and Jacob
 can periods
 And in conclusion" I observed, ''as So many actors have said farewells to the stage so many times. am l justified in | asking if this present tour may be re- garded as really your last?" The great actor paused before replying. l His hands. thin, nervous, full of char
 acter, were clasped tightly for a moment something rather suggestive of the tragic in their gesture, a spirit of re- nunciation, an air of finality-and if a sigh almost inaudible was his farewell to the l past which he has graced charmingly, l to the future belonged the wonderful smile that broke across his intelligent I face, gentle, friendly, full of hopeful as 1 surance.
 hxr have been asked to appear again in many different places I have visited on this | tour, but to all I have said No and l
 mean it.'
 | And what does the future hold out most flatteringly to you?' I asked. Shall
 you take up painting again?" l ''Oh, I shall have no trouble in hndins occupation" Sir Johnston smiled aSsur- ingly Painting? Only as an amateur II 1 decide to do anything at all in that line. | am greatly interested in the school for acting in London. Practically all of the | best actors are. Then, too, shall do al
 I can for the Shakespeare Memorial the atre, which is intended as lasting and worthy monument to the great bard 1 genius. Do you happen to know tha' there is only one statue of Shakespeare | in the whole of the English metropolis!
 It stands in Leicester square, shocking
 sort of thing to be sure. so wretched a specimen of the sculptor's art that 1t is a
 monstrosity."
 1 Suddenly his eyes lighted up and a new vision seemed to cross his vision as he said softly:
 And I shall have my home my wife and my four girls. the rearing of whom i will naturally engage my utmost solici' tude They are now at Hartsbourne. the beautiful home of my sister-in-law, Max l inc Elliott"
 | thought of what had once heard the beautiful Lady Forbes Robertson, Ger | trude Elliott. called "a sister of the rose younger, more fragile more brilliant | Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson can pt 1 ill spared from the stage.
 There are few enough of his talent re
 maining.
 Everything he does he does we'll His record is one of wonderful and dis' l tinctive achievement.
 ] His is not little. clannish audiences; he plays to the whole world and the whole world applauds-
 | We shall be jealous of that reticenct when his farewells have been said.
 Eulogies have been and will be writ. ten to him. and to his art, and who knows | but among them in some mystic fashior i Shakespeares trembling quill has not al
 ready penned a master tribute to this great actor, who has portrayed him al l few others have has penned indeed hi: thanks done in that quaint biting, rugged
 language, which has survived through al