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

156
good nctor" in modern comedy, was compelled to cencure him
as "very insubstantial" in this part, and suggested he lacked
interest in lie job (25 October). Horatio in Barrett's version
is identified as a scholar by Marcellus ("Thou urt a scholar,
speak to it, Horatio", - omitted by Irving13 ). Like his Lyceum
counterpart, he is relieved of the discussion vith itoruellus
of the -oolitical history of Denmark and Rome in relation to
supernatural visitations (70-125) - a cut which forfeits the
monent of relaxation ("Good now, sit down...") which creates
suspense before the next apparition. Though Crauford does
not seem to hove taken them, the ccene offers the actor playing
Horatio opportunities to establish his coolness and authority:
Barrett's omission of : Drcelluc's speech at 157-164 concerning
Chostc and Chrictnac, rnd liio suggestion,"We do it wrong
bein£ so majestical" (143-6) loaves Horatio as sole purveyor
of information in the scene.
If Crnuford friled to make anything remarkable of Horatio,
John Pewhurst, as the Ghost, mad* all too strong an impression.
Punch ridiculed his size and costume:
Considerable disappointment w s felt ...hen. a
stout spectre wnll:cd on like any other individual,
only a trifle hcrvier, for he wouldn't ride a
pound under fifteen ctone at the least...The
only novelty about this Glioct is liis costu:.ie«
He is attired in a no:i-deocri">t cort of ,-••••: rnt,
contrived out of, apparently, some old ct r
snangled muslin mosquito-curtains, which ou;;ht to
li. vr been sent to the v.Tich, in the tygian laundry
bclov;, loi\r ; ago.
(25 October 1.T4)
Punch observed t!i;:\t the later description of the Ghoct as
cl.'d in com'olotc c-teel and a helraet "only ; hov;c how our
senses Moy be r'eceivoc 1. r/hcrc a Cvho^t ir: concerned", and timt
the blue G-nec-c-"Cleo v/orn by " cv/harct v/ore a touch of realictic
dotril, "re cvrn the early lornin, li/;;it nuct be very trying
to a Uhost'c eyes". Godwin had intinr.ted in 'is Life interview
that olio Ghoct -/oulcl "appear wit.:i-')ut r^ny apparent ground to
ct:"iir on, and ...after a "bine, ^lidc rather thpjn walk along
the -slatform". It arpe- rs that a transprroucy w.'S to be ar^cd,
but t>'',t on the firct ni.riht the effect had to be abandoned, to
the "considerable disappoint'"out" of the ju::ch reviewer, r^--
hurst did not displease all i-'vio-;crn in equ.-l measure - ;:ho
•Tincc (17 October) found ai:n "ponderous but ir.r;}ro, sive" - but