SHAKESPEARE AS PEACEMAKER.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 427, 15 July 1913, Page 2

SHAKESPEARE AS PEACEMAKER.

"AN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL."

We do not wish to disparage the worthy efforts made year by year to celebrate the Shakespeare anniversary at Stratford or elsewhere. All these are excellent^ but they are but a shadowy and pale reflection of what should be done. Shakespeare's plays are acted m all counties, m many far more con-, sistently and seriously than in' our own. His works are published m all languages, and the greatest actors of every tongue delight to do Mm honor, and themselves undergo the severest test of their art, by essaying his roles. And yet we are content to leave all this world enthusiasm untouched, and parochially celebrate our international asset m the manner of a provincial circus visit. What is needed is an international festival,* and that every year shall see at leatt one foreign country participating . m a worthilyarranged programme at Stratford-on-Avon during the month of April. Let invitations" be sent forth from a committee of the fore- ■ most men of the land to those who have most delighted to honor Shakespeare m other countries. Let them be invited to come with their entire companies to the home of the bard, and there play m their own language , the greatest plays. And to show that we, the countrymen of Shakespeare, also appreciate him, a company of actors and actresses should act hi 3 plays alternately with the honored guests. W& do not think that there would be any difficulty m arranging for such visits, which would only do good to the art of the theatre, and which might well render immense service to the gdod-f ellowfehip of the world. What touches England's fame* should be watched over and -guarded by England's best. Jiet us hope, therefore, that be- - fere another anniversary has. come the necessary steps will have been taken, and the first of all those overseas admirers of Shakespeare . will be burning incense with us at Shake- ' speare's tomb.—' Review of Reviews.'