Studio: international art (83.1922)

THE ART OF THE THEATRE

observed and recorded no longer exist.
Summary as they are, however, in their
manner of execution, they bear witness to
that disciplined faculty of observation
which combined with other qualities has
given distinction to Mr, Arnesby Brown's
achievements as a landscape painter. 0

THE ART OF THE THEATRE. *

MR.SAM HUME,cf Cambridge,Mass.,
is one of the real pioneers of the new
movement in the theatre. He first attracted
attention through a remarkable exhibition
of stage-models and designs which he held
in 1915 in a number of American cities.
The critics were greatly impressed with
the potentiality of the young designer,
and the result of the exhibition was a
call to Detroit to take charge of the Arts
and Crafts Theatre, which possesses one
of the best equipped stages in America.
In his work Sam Hume combines poetic
vision with intense practicality and a

thorough understanding of the technique
of the stage, the result of first-hand
knowledge acquired through his connection
with the traditional stage in Europe. He
worked for some time side by side with
Gordon Craig, whose influence may be
traced in some of his earliest work. The
keynote of Mr. Hume's work is one of
great suggestiveness and broad, simple
beauty. His conception of scenic pro-
priety is such that his settings conceal
their art—they never assert themselves.
In common with other modern stage
directors, he generally uses a permanent
fore-stage and always employs the simplest
and most direct devices which will create
and intensify the atmosphere of the play.
Adaptable portals, revolving flats, cubes
and steps are combined in different way
against a cyclorama, and by the simple ex-
pedient of changing these properties and
relying upon the emotional qualities of
lighting, he manages to detach the scene
from all reality. Drawing his inspiration
from the drama itself he gives its^essence.