The Actor's Art. Edited by j. A. Hammerton. (G. Redway.)—
Five and-twenty actors and actresses—the list is headed by Sir Henry Irving and Mr. J. L. Toole—give us their views on their own art, Mr. Hammertozt leading them on, so to speak, by the hand, and introducing them to the public. He has previously given his ideas and counsel on various matters which concern acting, matters which range from the grave question of whether the actor should feel, or how far he should feel, that which he has to say or do, down to the technical details of how he or she has to make up his or her face. We have no opinion to give on these matters. That it is possible for an actor to take himself and his occupation a good deal too seriously, and that the theatre is not necessary to the well being of the world, are propositions which are at least arguable. To accept either of them is to take away, or at least seriously interfere with, the raison d'être of Mr. Hammerton's volume.
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