Life, 1892-04-07 · page 12 of 18
Life — April 7, 1892 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Making of 'The Foresters'" This satirical sketch mocks Lord Alfred Tennyson's play *The Foresters*, which premiered in 1892. The cartoon depicts Tennyson ("Lord Alfred") struggling to write, visited by Shakespeare's ghost who advises that the play's success depends not on the writing itself, but on Sir Arthur Sullivan's music, skilled actors, and theatrical spectacle. The satire's point: Tennyson's dramatic work is weak ("few good lines in all the piece"), yet will succeed commercially through production values and famous names rather than literary merit. The ghost of Shakespeare—history's greatest dramatist—underscores this irony by essentially saying the play needs everything *except* good writing to fool audiences into attending. This reflects contemporary skepticism about Tennyson's venture into drama and broader Victorian concerns about theater prioritizing spectacle over substance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE MAKING OF “ THE FORESTERS.” SCENE 1, Lorp ALF 'S study at midnight, LoRD ALFRED discovered at his writing table in an altitude of dejection. LORD ALFRED: As well as on this poor, frail frame, The weight of years upon my mind doth burden; And when I sit me down to write a play, My brain in labour brings forth nought but words. What shall 1 do? Befriend me, Muse, And to me send some novel thought, Some notion which shall eke my waning powers. AUGUSTIN (A rustling ts heard without, THE SHADE OF SHAKSPERE appears.) THE SHADE: Now have I come, sent by the pitying muse To aid with my experi- ence, thy feeble wit FE: And you to laurels of the drama would aspire af IT Still, come; it is not miney ti Pe to play the critic's part, f And 1 bethink me of a man well-known to fame Who doth in the gentle art of music bring to bear Such tricks and spells to gain the hearts Of those who listen, that oft ere this he hath Defeat to victory turned. So may he serve in this. The music of Sir Arthur is the essential thing That may thy half-dead child to life revive. And further yet, call to thy pressing need Augustin’s aid, who good and comely actors hath And taste withal, to give the poorest play Most excellent presentment in the public eye. ROBIN AND MAID MAKIAN SCENE II. Daty’s THE —In a stage box, THE MUSE and SHADE OF SHAKSPERE énvéstble, THE Muse: My William, what think’st thou? in vain Was't all 1 called thy powers to aid my other son, Lord Alfred ? THE SHADE: Not all. I fear me, though, that had you left Lord Alfred relying only on his own deserts, The play would ne'er have come to live Beyond a fortnight’s won- dering of the sickly crowd That worships names be- “LONG Live RICHARD.” Come, laureate, let what thou hast done. LorD ALFRED: It shames me, gentle Will, such weakly stuff to show To one who knew really how to write a play, Yet needs must when the butcher and the baker drive. (Hands manuscript to THE SHADE.) THE SHADE (reading): Um—um —um—bad—um—bad again—um—um—worse— But few good lines in all the piece. me see KING RICHARD'S BUFFET, cause the names are known. Now, to this feeble work of greatness past Are brought the aid of music’s charm, Of color's harmony and groupings Say. Of well-taught actors and a govern- ing mind To gather all in one most pleasing whole. “THe BRE BUZZED.” comicbooks.com