Evening star., 1934-08-19

i dTIdTS, pOIAl OA aWIlOiI al Z 0AASCoSOAo
of millions of Russians, produced
many l0-goal men in past ages.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Bullitt, the
Soviet government issued an official
invitation to the Westminster Choir
of Princeton to visit Russia and give
several concerts The choir expects
to sail on the 25th Of the month.
Strolling players, troubadours and
trouveres are again abroad in the
land and North, East. South and West
and over in England. II the size Of
the audiences reflect the popularity
of the movement, there is vast
amount Of interest in these groups Of
play actors, both professional, semi
professional and amateur. which are
taking part in primitive Summer play
houses, community center theaters
and van companies.
The Capital is right in the front
row of first nighterS in this move
ment and the Roadside Players, who
have been giving most creditable per-
formances in an old barn" out the
Rockville road, have been heartily
patronized. After all. John j. goes
to the play to be amused and not
analyze every line and action. Leave
that to the critics-they make their
living that way.
The surprising thing, however, was
the audience which attended the per-
formance of "A Midsummer Nights
Dream" produced at the National
Sylvan Theater by the Community
Players. 1t was estimated that 10000
people saw this performance. 1t also
brought forth a discussion in a group
of Shakespeare lovers as to where,
when and how the first Shakespearean
play was produced in America. Sew
eral contended that it was at Will
liamsburg. Va; others in New York.
It was decided that the only way to
settle the question was to ask DR..
Joseph Quincy Adams. the noted
Shakespeare scholar and authority.
Believe it or not, DR.. Adams. with
that name, comes from South Caro-
lima. Shades of the departed Samuel,
John and John Quincy, take notice.
DR.. Adams is supervisor of research
for the Folger Shakespeare Library,
located in that exquisite building on
Capitol Hill, which is the repository
of untold Shakespeare treasures.
The rare collection of books, manu-
scripts. paintings, historic objects
dart and furniture are beautifully
placed in the great baronial hall, that
somehow gives one a feeling Of pri-
vacy-not a public gallery of art.
There are also many rare things Of
great value which cannot be seen ex-
cept by those who go to the library
for research or assistance in the pro-
duction Of the drama.
In that case the actors or producers
are then allowed to see the Eliza
bethan costumes Of the players Of
ShakeSpeare's time. The costumes
and properties used by Garrick, Ed
win Booth, Modjeska-who said the
art Of acting was to conceal the art
Ellen Terry-read those delightful
Shaw and Terry letters of the past
decade-Sir Henry Irving, Sothern
and Marlowe. The costumes are done
up in moth proof bags, but one can
feast their eyes on many Of the prop
critics and the old prompt books of
many of the great actors Of the world.
which are invaluable to the producer
and the student of the immortal bard.
But about the first production in
this country: DR.. Adams says, Late
in 1749 a professional troupe attempt
ed to act in Philadelphia, but its
members were promptly arrested and
their performance suppressed. Where
upon they transferred their effort to
the City of New York" The Weekly
Post Boy of February 26, 1850, carried
the interesting news that this COM
pany Of comedians" recently arrived,
had taken a convenient room for
their purpose, in one Of the build
ings lately belonging to the Hon. Rip
Van Dam, in Nassau street, where
they intend to perform as long as
the season lasts" There was much
opposition by God-fearing citizens,
and DR.. Adams says, Massachusetts,
taking alarm, as already had Phila-
delphia, at once passed An act to
prevent plays"
Notwithstanding the opposition,
King Richard ILL.," wrote originally
by Shakespeare, was produced. AS
1t was not until 1852 that an English
troupe, headed by Lewis and Beatrice
Hallam, with Rigby and Malons, well
known to London audiences, came to
tour the Colonies, New York was two
years earlier in Its production.
They opened In Williamsburg with
THE Merchant of Venice" and DR..
Adams, in his address at the dedi-
cation of the Folger Shakespeare
Library. told in q delightful way the
circumstances surrounding the Vir-
ginia production.
With an eye to business, the Hal
lams, in explanation Of their crossing
the sea, devised q special prologue,
in which they represented Thespis as
having called in clarion tones to Brit
ish actors: Haste to Virginias
plains, my sonsl Repair, the goddess
said. Go confident to find an audience
sensible, polite and kind"
The paramount subject for discus
sion now at Newport and on Long