Evening star., 1925-11-08

the platform, and. like the Circas-
sian lady in the sideshow, discuss
the topics of the day and answer
each and every proper question. In
engaging Mr.. Walter Pritchard
Eaton to clucidate the meanings and
methods of Richard Brinsley Sheri-
dan Mr.. Tyler has done a great and
helpful thing. Mr.. Eaton has writ
ten enlightening works on the
drama and is man of courage. in
asmuch as he is willing to brave the
traditional attacks of poets and nov
elists on criticism of all kinds by
everybody. Bacon said. Critics are
Ike brushcrs of noblemen's clothes.
Pope wrote a rhvming essay seek
ing to instruct critics at least llt'
tie way on the path to human intel
ligence Byron's English Bards"
and Scotch Reviewers hurts thun
ders and lightnings OF scorn at crit
les with all the magnihcence OF
poetical peeve. Every writer has
had his fling at critics. until the
wonder is that any altruistic youth
can be persuaded to start out with
goloshes and umbrella. blowing his
way through the Winter street,
night after night, for the sole pur-
pose OF contributing some little
thought that will help the drama to
world economies. To be critic
privilege, whether he express his re-
Elections at a tea table or as
pamphleteer. But to be a critic for
ever and ever is like being a tea
faster. He may become more and
more expert in discrimination the
more he tastes. but he must inevi-
tably lose the enthusiasm of the
gourmet.
Mr.. Eaton's spirit of forgiveness
toward those who have SO cruelty
point of sublimity by his eulogies of
Sheridan. These eulogies make the
reckless wit and generous spend
thrift the topic to be clothed in a
phraseology extending from the
Grecian dithyramb to our own
American Drama League. How
many critics who truly love their
art could forgive Sheridan for re-
fusing to content himself with an
epigram or a quatrain and making
three-act play the vehicle of casti-
cation? The Critic. or a Tragedy
Rehearsed." is described as a drama.
Its purpose is to satirize criticism.
Critics. both calligra aphical and vocal.
as rule. while according Sheridan
every tribute for his two great
plays, still have effrontery to agree
that this particular effort is trivial.
Mr.. Eaton is entitled to every well
come. a place above the salt at liter
ary banquets and a seat fourth row,
aisle. in every auditorium. His task,
so sincerely performed. proclaims
him not only an erudite scholar, but
a man of noble and forgiving nature.
Much talk is being made about
the presentation of Hamlet" in
modern attire. The American try
out will be made in New York No
vember 9. As if by challenge, the
Booth Theater, named for the actor
who stands supreme as the tradi-
tional interpreter of the role. has
been selected as the place in which
Basil Sydney will introduce the mel
ancholy Dane in CATERS and a high
hat. 1t is produced under auspices
and with an advisory committee
which includes a number of very ac-
tive names in social. literary and
educational life Eugene O'Neill is
member Of the committee. This
fact implies modest willingness on
his part to admit Shakespeare to the
circle of great playwrights.
**
If Hamlet" in modern clothes can
awaken a sense of familiar apprecia-
ton i'll the average mind, a sense
that effaces early recollections of in
terest destroying pedantry, the ex-
pertinent will be a memorable and
praiseworthy affair. Perhaps there
is no more harm in putting Hamlet"
into twentieth century togs than
there was in putting Elizabethan
dialect and current illusions into the
lips of personages who could not
possibly have known thing about
them. 1t is the correct analysis of
human nature that makes the play.
and accuracy of historic detail is in
variably more restraint than an
assistance. But there is no use of
trying to make people promise not
to laugh when the idea is first men,
toned.