MR IRVING ON THE ART OF ACTING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3046, 23 January 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

MR IRVING ON THE ART OF ACTING.

Is inagnrating the session of tho Edinburgh Philosophical Institution on Monday, Mr Henry Irving chose for hie subject the " Art of Acting " pointing out that of all tho arts, none required greater attention than the actor's art. Throughout it was necessary " to do something , ," and that something could not fittingly bo left to chancoor tho unknown inspiration of ii moment. To prupoily fulfil his function, the actor must understand tho ideas and emotions created by the poet, which it is his duty to represent. Now and again it suffices the poet to think and write in abstractions ; but tho actor's work U absolutely concrete, Not only must his dross be suitable to the p:irt which he assumes, but his bearing must not be in any way antagonistic to tho spirit of the time in which tho play is fixed. It cannot, therefore, bo seriously put forward, in the face of ouch manifold requirements, that no art is required for tho representation of suitable action. Diderot laid down a theory that an actor never feels the part he is aotiug. Talma knew that it was possible for an actor to feel to the full a simulated passion, and yet while being swept by it to retain his consciousness of his surroundings and his purpose. How can anyone be in the midst of his passion nnleis it bo that his conscousuess hi id li;h puryoso remain to him? It is tliij very discretion which marks the ultima boundary of :m art, which stands within the line of demarcation between art and nituve. Finally, in the art o£ uutiug, it must never bu forguttou that its ultimate aim is beauty. Truth itself is only an clement of beauty, and to merely reproduce thing's viio and squalid ami moan is a debasement of art. Thus every actor who is more thun a mere maoliiin and who has an i leal of ntiy kind, has a duty which lies beyond the .scope of his porsoual ambition. His art imut ho something to hold in rovoronue if ho wishes others fn linM i<: in esteem,