VOLPONE.
ON the Friday of last week the Phoenix also gave a special matinee of Ben Jonson's Volpone, which was one of its 1921 successes. Volpone puts no strain on the abilities of its actors. The characters represent definite and docketed " humours " there is no need to "get inside" the words ; and the actor' own personality, modified by the constant exhibition of one pas. sion, will suffice to give some life to the figures of the play. 'Witt Iago, let us say, or with Hedda Gabler, contradictions must be reconciled ; both are characters of extreme complication, and a stern attempt at interpretation must be made. But when Cunning and Innocence are at strife, catch your actors and all is well. It was greatly to the credit of the Phoenix Society that all its actors seemed well cast. Miss Margaret Yarde, as Lady Would-be, was perhaps the most successful. Of all modern actresses she has the surest and most impressive presence. All the actors worked well, however, and without clash of personalities. It is refreshing to find a company in which the minor characters never destroy the effectiveness of the rest. Jonson was conscienceless to make virtue, which had given us so little to respect, so overwhelmingly triumphant ; but the tightness of construction and the neatness of language make Volpone a most enjoyable comedy.
A. P.
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