Театр

           Hervoice,herratherlowrichvoice,withthateffectivehoarseness,whichwrungyourheartinanemotionalpassageorgavesomuchhumourtoacomedyline,seemedtosoundallwrongwhenshespokeit.Andthenherarticulation;itwassodistinctthat,withoutraisinghervoice,shecouldmakeyouhearhereverywordinthelastrowofthegallery;theysaiditmadeversesoundlikeprose.Thefactwas,shesupposed,thatshewasmuchtoomodern.

           MichaelhadstartedwithShakespeare.Thatwasbeforesheknewhim.HehadplayedRomeoatCambridge,andwhenhecamedown,afterayearatadramaticschool,Bensonhadengagedhim.Hetouredthecountryandplayedagreatvarietyofparts.ButherealizedthatShakespearewouldgethimnowhereandthatifhewantedtobecomealeadingactorhemustgainexperienceinmodernplays.AmancalledJamesLangtonwasrunningarepertorytheatreatMiddlepoolthatwasattractingagooddealofattention;andafterMichaelhadbeenwithBensonforthreeyears,whenthecompanywasgoingtoMiddlepoolonitsannualvisit,hewrotetoLangtonandaskedwhetherhewouldseehim.JimmieLangton,afat,bald-headed,rubicundmanofforty-five,wholookedlikeoneofRubens’prosperousburghers,hadapassionforthetheatre.Hewasaneccentric,arrogant,exuberant,vainandcharmingfellow.Helovedacting,buthisphysiquepreventedhimfromplayinganybutafewparts,whichwasfortunate,forhewasabadactor.