SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15722, 16 October 1916, Page 8

SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS.

A PERMANENT COMPANY FOR

AUSTRALASIA

MR ALLAN WILKIE'S SCHEME.

There was a remarkably enthusiastic scene in the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening after the fall of the curtain on "Othello," with which the highly successful season of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Co. was brought to a close. The company had played to full houses throughout the season of thirteen evening performances and two matinees, establishing one of the best records on 'the books of the local theatre.

After several recalls. Mr Wilkie made an excellent little speech to the audience, who received his remarks with enthusiastic applause. Ho eaid the wonderfully successful New Zealand tour and Christchurch season of his company marked the foundation of a permanent Australasian Shakespearean Company. He and Miss Hunter-Watts would remain at the head of that company, and they would include in the repertoire practically the whole of Shakespeare's works that had been dramatised, as well as some of the ofd English classical plays. "We have spent a most pleasant fortnight in your delightful city," Mr Wilkie went on to sa.v, "and we hope to be with you again this timo next year, when we will produce "The Taming of the Shrew,' "The Merry Wives of Windsor.' 'Jnlins Caesar,' "Richard 111..' also 'Tho School for Scandal,' and probably some of the pieces that we have already given you. Wo have greatly enjoyed our stay among you. and on behalf of Miss Hunter-Watts and the other members of the company I thank you for your appreciative, enthusiastic and kindly reception. I wish you au revoir."

During the evening Miss HunterWatts and Miss Valentine Sydney were the recipients of handsome floral tributes.

The company leaves for Timaru this morning and at the close of the Dunedin season returns to Melbourne.

Mr W. F. "Russell, whose successful direction of the NeV Zealand tour is entitled to more than passing reference, leaves tho company at- Dunedin and returns North to join the managerial staff of J. C. Williamson's Hale Hamilton Comedy Company for the New Zealand season.