RUN ON SHAKESPEARE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 4

RUN ON SHAKESPEARE.

"HAMLET" GOOD FOR THE BOOK snops. '

The production of tho tragedy of "Hamlet" at the Opera House has had a quickening effect on sales of Shakespeare's works in Wellington. Mr. H. B. Irving said in the couri-o of an interview wit'ji a Dominion representative that only education would wean peopre from a liking for trashy melodrama of tho class that is all too frequently played in these parts. Ho has also repeated the aphorism that example is better than precept. So hero wo havo tho example bearing immediate fruit, for the study of Shakespeare is one of tho soundest cures for a liking for bad melodrama with a catchy title. One booksoller in a largo way of business in tho city said thero had been a distinct run on Shakespearo for a ir<wk past, more particularly for single copies of "Hamlet," of which there aro many beautiful editions now on the market.

"How different from the old days," said ono long-cstablishod bookseller. "I remember when lTerr Dandmnnn played 'Hamlet' in tho old Thcalro Royal. Ho was a really good actoi\ too, of tho old school. I don't think toe people would have cared if ho had starved, tho business was so wretched. 'Hamlet' under such conditions must have been trying!" Another bookseller said that tho voguo for big solid editions of Shakospearo's works was over. "Wo don't sell many of that sort now," he said, "unless it is a really good edition, with illustrations by somo well-known artist of good ttiey are sometimes bought for presentation purposes—and are usually kept untouched in the best room. No, the kind Ihev want now are the handy pocket editions, one or two plays in each booklet—lieautifully got up they are, too." "t have never sold sn many Shakespeares in my life," said another booksrllrr. "As a matter of fact, I've run right out of cheap editions of Shakespeare and 'Hamlet.' These aro the only two I've got left in the shop." I.overs of Shakespeare will rejoico to learn Hint all (his is so.