Pictorial Shakespeare, 1880-1890 - eTheses Repository - University ...

antiquary, it is due to him to let him stand or fall
by ft'.s own merits or demerit EJJ but if he have little
or no confidence in him, the actor should se k advice
elsewhere.
The indignation expressed in 1876 has been generalized, but
the claim is identical - a touch of absolutism in some of the
phrases seems to onticipate the utterances of Edward Gordon
Craic,
The next article, "Archaeology on the Stage ,11" appeared
on February 22. Godwin suggests that three critics should be
sent by serious publications to cover each play, dividing their
a.-cir;nmcnt into acting, text and accuracy of mi s e-en-ac ene ^
Then he discusses his own experiences with Bancroft's 'Proliant
of Venice and Coleman 1 s Henry V. It appears that Godwin's
mo in point of die agreement with Coleman was the setting for
ectminster Abbey, of which he wished to represent two bays,
in full cize "and filling up with hangings, screens, "banners,
carpets, etc.". Coleman insisted on having the whole church
reconstructed "in toylike proportions" and obstinately refused
to consider a plan later adopted to;; Irving for the Church Scene
in i.Iuch Ago about Nothing. In the 1?74 'ere -coit of Venice,
some -nages of the Do.^c entered in cloth of gold,
a-npar, ntly untoned cud unrelieved. The filare of
it was quite enough to destroy any scene, and was
ac childish in effect no the whole interior of
westminoter Abbey was on the stage of the Queen's
Theatre.
This wo.3, to oay the least, tactless „ and must have seemed
petty, especially in the lip-lit of Go tf win's failure to specify
the reasons for liir; ctntcrjcnt that both nroductions "suffered
iron bad r;ctinc" as v/ell as "glarinr blunderc that chould liove
been pyoided". In the issue of F>,rch 28 Colenan replied,
iri(?i,'_-iir.ntly maintaining that Godwin v;ns employed "not as en
artist but an archaeologist":
I regard the forr.icr ao & creator, tlie leit'Cer
as a copyist - hence I retained this gentleman
to copy certain costumes, scenes and nrooorties.
ile returnee] to the attack in an article "On 3tp;-e pnagement",
in the issue of i.lar"h 14: Coloiar-n liota the superhun; ji qualitioc
donanc'ed of a good Mrjia^or, who should no.: cess amon,: :;.:t other
talents "the painter's eye for colour, the oculptor's sense of