DARTMOUTH'S CELEBRATION OF THE SHAKESPEARE TERCENTARY

As its share of the country-wide commemoration of the Shakespeare tercentary, the Dramatic Association staged in Webster Hall Saturday evening, April 29, "The Merry Wives of Windsor" with a cast which included the Association's best performers. Not alone because the production was Dartmouth's tribute to the great poet does this effort hold significance, but also for the reason that it is the first attempt the Dramatic Association has made in several years to present a Shakespearian play. The Dartmouth organization has been a pioneer in the movement in college histrionics away from the narrowly limited list of standard dramas that formerly afforded almost the only selection thought possible, and it was gratifying to see that the excursion into modernism had not been made at the expense of the classics.

The work of W. A. Mackie, Jr., '16, of Providence, R. I., in the role of Falstaff was undoubtedly the best of the, acting. The part was admirably suited to Mackie's particular ability as a comedian, and he fully played up to his opportunity. He was ably supported by the entire cast, although espepecially by the work of D. Richmond '17 of Brockton, Mass., and L. F. Emerson '18 of Lebanon, N. H.

During the present year, the Dramatic Association in all its productions has laid emphasis on the unusual in scenery, and in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", effort in this direction was productive of curtain scenery. This stage device has been used extensively and with universal success by Forbes-Robertson in the production of Shakespearian repertoire, and proved effective in eliminating the long waits between acts which usually characterize such plays.