ROMEO AT SEA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12969, 23 November 1907, Page 7

ROMEO AT SEA.

A writer in the "Westminster Gazette discourses amusingly on Mr Frohman's suggestion that tho great Atlantic liners should have their own theatres. Much re-writing and "cutting," ho considers, will be necessary to adapt the old plays to tho altered conditions, and to enable the actors and actresses to struggle through their parte without discredit. We may expect the '•balcony" scene in "Romeo and Juliet," for instance, to go something like this:— Rom. lld jests at stoTms that never felt a qualm. rJuliet appears above at a window. But. soft! What light through yonder port-holo breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair win, and kill the envious moon. Who is already sick and pale with gTiei. Though thou, her maid, art not less sick than she. Her vestal livery is but sick and green. And no good sailor* wear it; cast it off! It is my lady; 0, it is my love! See. how she leans her cheek upon her hand And beckons to tho willing stewardess. Jul. O Romeo, Eomeo! Wherefore art thou. Borneo, Of stronger stomach, sharing not my grief? Rom. (aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? - Jul. Thou art thyself, unchanged l by mal-de-mer, What's mil de-mer? It touches hand and ,ioot, And arm, and face, and every other port. Its being more offensive than its name t What's in «■ name? Him that we call sea-sick By any other name would feel as ill. Rom. Call mc but love, end I'll be new baptised. Jul. How earnest thou hither, tell m*. and wherefore? Rom. With love's light wings I came, from my et»te-room For c'en sea-sickness cannot hold love out. My ample cloak concealeth from thine eyes The base utensil that the steward lends To serve mc should mis* agony return. Jul - Thou know'st that mask of night is on my faoe. To hide the pallor that o'erspreada my cheek. Art feeling- well? I know thou wilt say "Ay," And I will take thy word; yet if thou swear's* Thou mdy'st prove false; at lovers' perjuries, They my, Jove laughs.. O gentle Romeo, If thou hast qualms, get thee hence speedily. Bom. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear— Jul. Nay. do not swear; although I feel for ihoe, I have no dread of m relapse tonight; It cometh rash, and unadvised, and sudden. Too like the lightning, which doth cease 'to be Ere one can say "It lightens." Still, don't swear. Lest more discomfort follow on thy fault. And yet I fear that I have spoke too soon—• I feel some grief within; de&T love, adieu! [Stewardess calls within. Anon, good stewardess! 0 Romeo. Would we were landed—it comes on again. Good night, good night! This sickness is such sorrow! I'm sure I shall be sick throughout the morrow! [Exit. Rom. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast! They won't. I know: but, still, that is the best That I can say to comfort thee. Vet oh!This ship—confound the movement— I must go! [Exit.