SHAKESPERE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8318, 26 July 1890, Page 3

SHAKESPERE.

TO Till; EDITOR. Sir,—There is, no doubt, much that; it true in Air. Miln's complaint, bnfc there are also many explanations or reasons why Shakespere fails at the present day to draw an audience, which perhaps Mr. Miln has not had under consideration. One of the most convincing is the following from Do Quincey's works :— " Men tro to the theatre for amusement : this is the paramount purpose ; and even acknowledged, merit or absolute superiority must give way to it. Does a man at Paris expect to spe Moliere reproduced in proportion to his admitted precedency in the French drama ? On the contrary, that very precedency argues such a familiarisation with his woiks that those who are in quest, of relaxation will reasonably prefer any recent drama to that which, having lost all its novelty, has lost much ot its excitement We speak of ordinary minds ; but in cases of public entertainments, deriving parb of their power from scenery and stage pomp, novelty is for all minds an essenti.il condition of attraction." If to this .Air. Miln will add that he came here at a most unfortunate time for himself—after the Comic Opera Company and Wirth's Circus had exhausted the funds of theatre-going folks—he will perhaps modify his opinion that wo are not as a community sufficiently alive to the beauties of Shakospere's plays. We must all regret that the Shakesperian season has not proved remunerative to Mr. Miln and his company — a company, which, taken altogether, is a most excellent one. The scenery staged has, for the most part, been appropriate, and the way in which the several plays have been produced reflects great credit on Mr. Miln. I heartily wish him larger audiences during the remainder of his season, and on his benefit night a bumper house—full to overflowing. —lam, &c, E. A. Mackkcjinie.