PLATT, LIVINGSTON

(1885-1968)

A native of Plattsburg, New York, Livingston Platt was a force in the triumph of European-inspiredNew Stagecraftthrough his work at Boston's Toy Theatre following a period of art studies in Europe. ForMargaret Anglin, Platt created scene designs and costumes forThe Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra, andAs You Like It, all in 1914. In these and most of his subsequent productions (for which he usually designed lighting as well), Platt created stylized settings resisting the realism typical prior toWorldWar I. He demonstrated versatility in a wide range of plays, includingEast Is West(1918),Shakuntala(1919),Rain(1922),Daisy Mayme(1926),The Racket(1927),Behold the Bridegroom(1927),The First Mrs. Fraser(1929),Grand Hotel* (1930),Dinner at Eight* (1933), andThe Pursuit of Happiness* (1933), after which an arrest on a morals charge ended his career.