Immortal Nuances " From now on we shall be able
to stand on each other's shoulders," said the distinguished actor. He had been to see a demonstration of the latest type of panoramic film projected on to a curved screen, and what he meant was that this tech- nique should make it possible, by filming the actual performance of a play, to preserve for posterity an audience-eye view of that performance. If he was right, the effect on the annals of the theatre—which, apart from one or two reference books, are little more than a figure of speech—will be revolutionary. Actors and producers will be able to see and hear exactly how their predecessors tackled the big parts and the big scenes; and I suppose it is possible that at some future date a successful production of Hamlet or King Lear will be attended by satellite revivals in celluloid of earlier performances. As far as I can see, the only person not likely to benefit from this development (if it develops) is the conscientious dramatic critic, who will never be able to see an actor attempt a major role without spending an afternoon in the projection-room checking up on the Giants of the Past.
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