Creative Criticism; Essays on the Unity of Genius and Taste (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917. Excerpt: ... DRAMATIC CRITICISM AND THE THEATRE In one of the largest American Universities there is a room filled with theatrical bric-a-brac which is called "The Dramatic Museum." Actors, theatrical managers, antiquarians, and millionaires have added to a collection begun by the University authorities; and the museum now contains reproductions of the great theatres of the ancient and modern world, masks, promptbooks, playbills, and all the other accessories of the stage. The room may or may not contain collections of plays (for I have never visited it); but in any event, they are subsidiary to the main object of the directors, which is to illustrate the changing conditions of the theatres of the world as an essential introduction to the study of the drama. Now, there can be no legitimate objection to the study of theatrical antiquities as a thing in itself. Human curiosity finds a natural satisfaction in searching the past for every manifestation of man's activity and ingenuity; and who shall say that the antiquities of the theatre, that house of a thousand wonders, may not be studied with interest (and even with intelligence) by those who are especially attracted by the stage and its history? Manuscripts, parchments, missals, bindings, and typography are a legitimate object of study for both those who are interested and those who are not interested in the contents of books; and the history of the theatre may furnish amusement both to those who love the drama and to those who care nothing for what the drama really has to offer the souls of men. The professional printer may profitably spend his spare hours in studying the history of printing, without concerning himself with the literature which the printed page gave to the world; the actor may amuse himself intellige...