Twelfth Night (Vol. 26) | Old Man Feste
OLD MAN FESTE
Mr. Adrian clearly subscribes to the school of thought that sees its Feste as an old man. He did his best to wring these iron withers with his old fool who is past playing the fool. And was it that he could not sing or that he did not wish to sing Feste's difficult songs but characterised and acted them instead? Be the reason what you will, on the first night Come Away Death was death.
But it is not Miss Barnett nor Mr. Adrian who are to blame for the off-key notes they pipe—it is the producer. Why did a director of Mr. Hall's distinction and gifts go in for 'amusing' casting? Did he remain amused, I wonder, when he took his place in the auditorium on the first night and saw what he had done? Mr. Adrian was born to play Aguecheek (Mr. Ian Richardson did more than well in the part and though it may seem to weaken my argument I must in fairness emphasise this) but he is cast in the one part that calls for an actor who can sing (as...
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