Columbia Library columns (v.9(1959Nov-1960May))

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  v.9,no.3(1960:May): Page 22  



2 2                            Henry W. Wells

Fresh attention to these activities is called by the recent accession
of two collections. The Randolph Somerville Collection consists
of some 1,600 volumes together with water-colors, many theatri¬
cal prints, programs, prompt-books, and an exceptionally interest¬
ing gathering of Professor Somerville's notes documenting the
history and theory of the stage. Of the Columbia College class
of 1914, he was for many years Director of thcA^'ashington Square
Players and professor of drama at New York Universiry.

He wrote little for publication but thought deeply on dramatic
art, collecting much of value about it. The Brander .Matthews
Dramatic Museum (412 Low .Memorial Library) will present an
exhibition of his collection, opening with a meeting in recognition
of the gift on the eve of Shakespeare's birthday, April 22, and
extending through iMay 13. The .Museum is open week-days from
2 to 6 p.m.

Few men whose names are so little known through publication
have accomplished so much in behalf of the educational theatre.
To a peculiar degree the gift lends itself to an exhibition of the
labors of a fruitful lifetime. The collection contains over a hun¬
dred prompt-copies, the great majority of which are for Shake¬
speare's plays, though .Moliere, Sheridan, and Shaw, and other
dramatists are included. There are prompt-copies for twenty-eight
of Shakespeare's works, fifteen of which are represented in pro¬
ductions directed by Somerville himself. Productions for over two
hundred years are presented, with versions by leading actors and
producers, such as .Mary Anderson, Margaret Anglin, Granville
Barker, David Belasco, Edwin Booth, Arthur Bouchicr, .Augustin
Daly, Edwin Forrest, David Garrick, Henry Irving, Charles Kean,
J. B. Kemble, \Mlliam Macready, Richard iVIansfield, Tommaso
Salvini, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and James Wallack. His dra¬
matic library is exceptionally well selected, with at least a few
volumes from the earlier periods of the English stage. W'orthy of
mention as supplementary to the theatre is a fine copy of iVI. A.
Racinet's monumental Le Costume Historique. There are many
  v.9,no.3(1960:May): Page 22