Bryn Mawr College - Bryn Mawr Yearbook (Bryn Mawr, PA)

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they tell me, is like to be great in both acting and writing of Comedies, as was Betterton in Tragedy. April 22, 1933. To Blackfryers (in spite of my vow, I find I cannot keep long from the Theatres), to see LADY WINDERMERE ' S FAN, an excellent play, and acted to my great content. Fouilhoux, whom I have not seen this long time, played Lady Jedburgh. April 23, 1933. To Moorfields, to see THE DELUGE, a very ancient piece, and exceeding comical, acted in the open air, on platforms. Many new players, trained up in the Nur- sery, which for the past four years has produced a vast number of our best Thespians. Among these, Par- sons and Mackenzie especially fine; also Daniels and Parnell. Nichols, another who began in the Nursery, but has since been seen on our better stages, also acted therein, and excel- lently well, too. December 9, 1933. To Salisbury Court, and there saw THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE acted solely by females. The clothes very fine, ' of the fashion of King James ' time. Many players that I knew well in humorous parts; Fouilhoux as Mas- ter Merrythought; Nelson excellent as an ogre, terrifying to behold; Steven- son as a dwarf, at which excellent mirth. Two newcomers from the Nursery — Gribbel in the Host ' s part, and Boyd as a spectator; also Par- sons once more (as a gallant). Mis- tress Righter did play the Knight with great spirit and sincere feeling for comedy. But, as I said, two hun- dred and fifty years ago, when in the flesh, indeed the play itself should be 25

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HELENA ' S HUSBAND, which pleased me infinitely. The dresses very fine; much pleased with the wigs, all of wool, a new and strange device. Stevenson as the Ethiopian slave vast- ly diverting. Grant, as Helena, seemed a mighty pretty creature. Hart, who played Paris, a gallant, hath the motions and carriage of a spark the most that ever I saw. November 17, 1932. To the Red Bull, and there did see SAINT ' S DAY, which they do say was to have been called THE SAINT ' S MIS- TRESS, but that Her Majesty liked not that title, and indeed the play is as full of bawdy as a single act could well be, but diverting enough for all that. Many young players not long up from the Nursery did play very well, among them Jones, Schwab, Hannan, Nelson and Coxe. December 10, 1932. To the Cock- pit, to see THE ROYAL FAMILY, a play about the people of the stage — vastl y amusing to such as do have some acquaintance with the Theatres. Daniels and Trowbridge excellent in small parts. March 17, 1933. To the Court, where we were very merry over LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME, in French, an old play, but which ' ' ikes me better every time I see it. Jarrett gives us fresh reason never to think enough of her, for none can out-do her in these Gallic roles. Fouilhoux also mighty pleasing. March 20, 1933. In Covent Gar- den tonight, and stopped at the great Coffee House there, under the man- agement of Greeks. There, I per- ceive, is very witty and pleasant dis- course, for the playwrights and all the wits of the town were gathered to felicitate Nelson and Hannan on the success of their new plays. Met many of these writers for our stage, includ- ing Daniels, Nichols, Schwab, Steven- son and Coxe, and was delighted to find Jones also among them, who, 24

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4ifc damned for dullness, for it is the most insipid, ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life, and pleased me not at all. February 12, 1934. This afternoon Jones did take me behind the scenes at the King ' s Playhouse, to see the company rehearsing, and the tire- women making the dresses; and to in- struct me a little in the making of scenes, whereof I have ever had a great curiosity. There I did meet the directors (among whom, indeed, Jones also is one of the best) : Barber, Schwab (who is also the Manager of the company), and Coxe. Among those chiefly responsible for the mak- ing of dresses and scenes are Barber, Coxe, Duany, Goldwasser, Lee and Robinson. Among their chief assist- ants are Bishop, Bowie, Butler, Car- ter, Coleman, Fox, Fraser, Jarrett, F. F. Jones, Landreth, Laudenberger, Mackenzie, McCormick, Meneely, Miles, H. J. Mitchell, Nelson, Nichols, Pleasanton, B. E. Smith (no relation to E. E. Smith, hitherto mentioned, and who is also concerned in these technical matters of the Theatre), and De Varon. 26