Emlyn Williams Brings Dickens Scenes To Life

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28540, 20 March 1958, Page 7

Emlyn Williams Brings Dickens Scenes To Life

’U ; 'rtoh*: The opening performance of scenes from the works of Charles Dickens, given by the distinguished Welsh actor, Emlyn Williams, attracted an appreciative audience to the Civic Theatre last evening. Mr Williams's presentation may reasonably be said to offer a unique theatrical experience. Travelling companies, with well-graced actors, come here frequently enough; but Mr Williams is a host in himself. It would appear that nothing within the range of Dickens's imagination is outside this actor's reach. In fact, members of the audience were on several occasions taken aback by the vivid reality of the personalities conjured up. The properties and the background are unpretentious. The curtain rises to reveal the famous reading desk with its arm rest and red velvet top. The eye lights upon the flowers and the carafe of water. There is a pause, and then the celebrated author appears—Charles Dickens, presented by Emlyn Williams. Theatre Forgotten The pervasive atmosphere of the Civic Theatre is at once forgotten, for this is indeed an imposing figure, dignified if a trifle Bohemian, and perhaps somewhat larger than life. Nothing could be more formal than the black evening suit of the cut proper to the eighteen sixties; but there Is. nevertheless, something picturi esque, even flamboyant about the : general effect. In the first min- : ute or two. and without saying ■ a word, Mr Williams calls up : Dickens in another role, that of i the born actor, eager to get in • touch with his audience across : the footlights, and to win its api probation and if possible its affec- . tionate regard. i The actor takes his place. A . volume is chosen and opened . with scrupulous care; but Mr I Williams has all his roles by

heart, and the book is merely a property to be held in the hands . and glanced at from time to time. 1 The recital begins on a resonant vital 'note, which commands the closest attention. A whole procession of Dickens characters is suddenly called into being, their personalities projected from the printed page, and sometimes brought uncomfortably close. Mr Williams has the power to do this, apparently with ease: he is especially good with those grotesques and misfits whose eccentricities were relished by Dickens himself. Each character has his own appropriate voice. Some deliver themselves in a mere squeak; others .gibber or gobble out their lines, or even shout when tnis seems called for. In addition. Mr Williams speaks some of those shrinking female roles in beautifully silken tones, which are the perfection of gentility. Viragos, however, express themselves with a vulgarity so brazen that it will doubtless he hard to forget them. Mr Williams remains near his desk throughout the performance He is, however, quite possessed by a succession of vivid personalities, by Mr Podsnap, by the Signalman, by Mr Chops. The impression of someone walking up a darkened stairway, posturing in one of those shabby, comfortable, lamplit sitting-rooms, or driving through the streets of Paris, is magnificently conveyed to the audience. Indeed if the hearer closes his eyes, the effect is surprising.

Six episodes were interpreted by Mr Williams last evening They were all very different, and each was fascinating in its own way. The scenes from “Our Mutual Friend,” for instance, had an unctuous richness, against which the pathos of Paul Dombey’s life stood out in shining contrast. Mr Bob Sawyer’s bachelor party was delightful too and, treated in this way, “The Fancy Ball” from “A Tale of Two Cities” was more successful than would be expected. Nor could anyone have any reservations about the two tales from “Christmas Stories,” which were brilliantly acted. “Mr Chops,” in particular, revealed the generous sympathy of both author and actor. —C.E.S.