“ROMEO AND JULIET”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 303, 16 September 1921, Page 7

“ROMEO AND JULIET”

BY WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY “Romeo and Juliet," a tragedy, by William Shakespeare. Cast:— Mercutio Mr. Allan Wilkte Escalus Mr. Jack Lennon Paris ...- Mr Hamilton He nr X Montague Mr J. Plumpton Wilson Capulet Mr. William Lockhart Romeo Mr. Leslie Manncis Benvolio Mr. Fred MacdonaliQ. Tybalt Mr. Robert Furdie Friar Laurence Mr. Augustus Neville Friar John Mr. Vincent Scullv Balthasar Mr. Eric Donald Peter Mr. J. Rov Workman An Apothecary Mr. Arthur Goodsall Nurse Miss Jane Ring Rosaline Miss Jessica Dale Lady Montague. Miss Mona Duval Lady Capulet .i Miss Lorna. Forbes Juliet Miss Hunter-Watts

In presenting “Romeo and Juliet” at the Grand Opera House last night, Mr. Allan Wilkie and the members of his company completed their tale of ten Shakespearean plays during the season that is now drawing to a close. Their achievement is evidence that Mr. Wilkie is in earnest in his desire to restore the tradition of the Shakespearean stock company, and last night’s production was proof that the means at his disposal are reasonably adequate to his purpose. Many people of to-day admit the geniris of Shakespeare, with an idea in their minds that the .plays have to bo approached in. a spirit of determined appreciation quite distinct from mere enjoyment. Mr. Wilkie seeks to show that ordinary folk do not have to make an intellectual effort when they spend an evening with the greatest of English playwrights. The audience that thrilled! with the hot passion and intense humanity of the wonderful lyrical tragedy test night would not have hesitated a moment to admit his success. Miss Hunter-Watts was an admirable Juliet, youthful, tender, and fervent, with a voice that preserved the musical quality of the lines. Her work in the balcony scene, in tho parting from Romeo in the dawn, and in the tragic finale, was almost entirely pleasing. Mr. Leslie Manners, who had l the part of Romeo, is a young player of considerable promise. He is not a finished artist, and it would bo easy to point to certain wealmesses in his interpretation. But he had the ardent spirit of the young Romeo, and the story lost very little in his tolling. Mr. Wilkie was in excellent form as the gay and light-hearted Mercutio, whoso premature death in a quarrel not his own is one of the most searching of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Tho part is comparatively a light one, but it deserves the best of handling, and! Mr. Wilkie earned tho hearty applause that he received. Miss Lorna Forbes made a dignified and graceful Lady Capulet, and Mr. Robert Purdie was a sufficiently fierce and aggressive Tybalt. Miss Jano King, as the nurse, was disposed rather to overact on the comedy side. Mr. Roy Workman gave an excellent bit of characterisation as Peter. Mr. Frod Macdonald, as Benvolio, and Mr. Augustus Neville, ns the friar, both did good work. The staging and mounting were quite satisfying. Mr. Wilkio again made largo uso of drapings, and got his. effects with a minimum of stage machinery.

The company will play "The Merry Wives of Windsor” to-night, nnd will close its season to-morrow night with another performance of “The Taming of the Shrew."