Costume: fanciful, historical, and theatrical . to any other influence we mayattribute its present development on the Englishstage. Let the old playgoer prate enthusiastically ashe will about Charles Kean, and his splendidShakespearean revivals at the Princesss Theatre,dramatic art has never been more picturesquely,richly, and appropriately clothed than it was atthe Lyceum Theatre in the great days of HenryIrving. Even to talk to him of his productionswas a liberal education in all arts appertaining tothe theatre. That the great actor took infinitepersonal trouble with every detail, and would,
Costume: fanciful, historical, and theatrical . to any other influence we mayattribute its present development on the Englishstage. Let the old playgoer prate enthusiastically ashe will about Charles Kean, and his splendidShakespearean revivals at the Princesss Theatre,dramatic art has never been more picturesquely,richly, and appropriately clothed than it was atthe Lyceum Theatre in the great days of HenryIrving. Even to talk to him of his productionswas a liberal education in all arts appertaining tothe theatre. That the great actor took infinitepersonal trouble with every detail, and would, inhis own costume, direct the cut of the drapery,the shape of the shirt collar, and the exact positionof the sash, or the fold of the turban, all who wereprivileged to associate with him at work are fullyaware. I recall many conversations with him onthe subject of stage costume, and invariably hewould bring out some point of its psychologicalbearing. As to variation in the interpretation ofa character under the influence of a different MISS ELLEN TERRY AS MISTRESS PAGE. 240 COSTUME CHAP for instance, I remember his saying—* When youhave the good fortune to act with an actress likeMiss Terry, the artist dominates the woman underany conditions of costume, and the least suggestionis easily grasped and appreciated. In all times,modes and manners must influence each other, anddifferent gestures inevitably accompany differentcostumes. You would not, for instance, see a ladywhen wearing Grecian draperies disport herself inthe same fashion as one bearing the stiff stomacherand monstrous farthingale of the Elizabethanperiod. Again, we were discussing the question ofcolour in relation to certain emotions, moods, andtraits of character. Who would think of playinga murderer in sky-blue satin and silver ? Sir Henrysaid. And not pausing for my reply : Of courseone expects a woman to go mad in white. Canyou picture Hamlet in colours ? Surely he demandsblack clothes, indeed the text
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectcostume, bookyear1906
