TAMING OF THE SHREW

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 7

TAMING OF THE SHREW

ALLAN WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY "Taming of the Shrew,’’ a comedy, by William Shakespeare. Cast: Petruchio ■ ■ Xr. Allan Wilkie Baptista Mr. Augustus Neville Vlncentio Mr. Jack Lennon Lucentio Air. Leslie Manners Gremio Mr. Hamilton Henry Horteusio Mr. J. Roy Wcrkman Tranio Mr. Fred Macdonald Biondello .- Mr. J. Plumpton Wilson A Servant Mr. A. 11. Boswell Grumio Mr. Felix Bland A Tailor Mr. Eric Donald A Pedant Mr. William Lockhart A Widow Miss Jessica Dale Bianca Miss Lorna Forbes Kathcrina Miss Hunter-Wacts "The Taming of the Shrew” is not among tho greatest. of Shakespeare’s plays. It was produced in the earlier years of his work in the Loudon theatres, and was to a large extent an adaptation of plays that had been staged before his period. It is farce rather than comedy. But Shakespeare placed tho impress of his genius upon tho old theme, and successive generations have found the intimate humanity and shrewd humour of his play to be irresistibly attractive. Mr. Allan , Wilkie and the members of his Shakespearean Company presented "The Taming of the Shrew” for the first time at tho Grand Opera House last night before one of the largest audiences of the season, and added another to their list of successes, Mr. Wilkife naturally follows the line of tradition in his Petruchio. Tho simplicity of the conception does not lend itself to much variety in treatment. Petruchio tames the shrewish Kate by matching his determination to her obstinacy, his roughness to her violence, ■and Mr. Wilkie’s interpretation of the part developed excellently, its familiar features. The rough good humour of his wooing, his 'boorish behaviour at the wedding, and his return to a gentler habit as his wife grew biddable were all effectively handled. Miss Hunter-Watts was a convincing Kate, bitter-tongued and undisciplined. She played the earlier scenes, where the shrew is giving free rein to her temper, with admirable vi(P our, and interpreted pleasantly the humbler moods that rewarded Petruchio s efforts to make for himself a good wife. Miss Lorna Forbes made a graceful and attractive Bianca, treating with very pleasing touch the scenes with the rival lovers. Mr. Augustus Neville was responsible for a good bit of characterisation as Baptista, and the other members of the cast, ns is customary in Mr. Wilkie’s productions, were able to give sound and satisfying ' interpretations. Ihe mounting and staging were fully ® ffectlve > and the audience obviously enjoyed' the play very heartily. - Mr. Allan Wilkie will present Macbeth” for the last time to-night; Ho will play "As You Like It”- to-morrow.