"HAMLET."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19109, 19 September 1927, Page 6

"HAMLET."

ALLAN WILKIE SEASON

CLOSES.

NEW PLAYS FOR NEXT VISIT. The faith which Mr Allan Wilkie has in the • power of Shakespeare to draw, large audiences for just over three weeks lias been more than justified, for during the wnole of the Christchureh season, which' closed on Saturday night, the-Theatre 11-oyal was tilled at each performance, in many instances by people who were present at every change of programme., bucli a position,. - howeevr, must be a .source of satisfaction .to, Mr Wilkie,. who can leaveChristchureh with the knowledge that ■ his return .will be a welcome ,oue, especially as it will mean the presentation by hi 111 of a number of plays not previously produced by him- in this City. ... - c . Saturday night's performance ol Shakespeare's immortal tragedy "Hamlet," was a worthy one with vylnch to. close the season, arid the dimensions and appreciation of the audience were fitting to . the occasion.. Mr Wilkie was in the liame part' and he , played it in his most- convincing manner, and his interpretation of that interesting character. the Pririce of Denmark, gave' complete satisfaction. He was at his best in the famous soliloquy and delivered the well-remembered lines in a way that will not soon be' forgotten. Miss Hunter-Watts was equally successful as the.ill-fated Ophelia, her acting, especially in the mad scene, being most impressive. As Cladius, Mr John- Cairns left nothing to bo desired, and MiArthur Keaue, as .Polonius, and Messrs William Lopkhart-and Alan Rankirt in the graveyard scene also did creditable work. Able support was given by the other members of the company. At the close of the performance the players were greeted with round after round of applause. In returning thanks, Mr Allan Wilkie said that- it was with the utmost .regret that he once -more took leave, and thoiigli the profession demanded a succession of farewells it'was a duty to which hehad never become entirely reconciled. The- season just,closed was the; fourth in Christchureh and had been far from tlie least successful;; had it .net coin* cided with the school and university vacations,' it would have been a record. He found it difficult to express adequate thanks for the. wonderful support*, sustained throughout the . season. The iftimoany had .presented five new nlavs and the support given encouraged injto in his" determination to producetile 37 plays of Shakespeare; 2-1 had alreadv been produced. When, they returned to Christchureh, which lie estimated would be in about 18 months' time, the company would stage six now plays.