3-070-875 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene from "Julius Caesar," performed at Drury Lane Theatre by the Saxe-Meiningen Court Co., 1881. 'The Illustration presented by the Engraving on our front page is from...Act Third, Scene 2, where Antony uncovers the dead body of Caesar in the sight of the assembled Romans: "Look you here! Here is himself, marred, as you see, 'with traitors". The picturesque composition of figures, and the dramatic variety of their gestures and expressions, in the crowd here surrounding the bier to which Antony has descended after his speech from the pulpit, as he draws off the mantle pierced with daggers and stained with blood, to expose the lifeless corpse, will at once gain the admiration of our readers. In scenic combination of groups, and in the perfect subordination of all their "bye-play" to the main interest of the scene, lies a great part of the acknowledged excellence of this German company of accomplished scientific actors...The reigning Duke George of Saxe-Meiningen...has...made it his constant endeavour to create a German classical theatre...the present Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, his third wife...who was...a professional actress of high reputation...has zealously and efficiently co-operated with her princely husband in this grand undertaking'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.