ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MR. IRVING'S "HAMLET." SATURDAY NIGHT'S PERFORMANCE. Through ways and byways devious and strange and rude we have come again to Shakespeare. We have travelled and supped with the puppets — puppets, clever enough, cheerful enough, maybe, but still automatic — and for our reward have attained the Land Delectable where the men are more than ciphers, and live and move so; where the women were never more womanly, either in their strength or in their weaknesses. When the ear has tired of sweet sounds merely, and eyes of, pretty conceits and caxicatures, tha understanding heart turns hungrily to the real and material -things : to life as vivid- in. its place and period as that of to-day, to the forms enshrined by Shakespeare in niches of dramatic immortality. For Shakespeare held such, a mirror so truly up to nature that he could not fail to secure the almost perfect reflection. Not every mind can comprehend or appreciate the master-man, but it would be a poor soul indeed that could not find in his treasury some little gems that he could take away and hoard up. . Shakeweare's aphorisms and cubes of wisdom are of the only coins in ou^ literary currency that require no recast, mg, though they . have been bandied about the world for centuries. And that superlative, mysterious tragedy of his, "Hamlet," which H. B. Irving and Co. brought into Wellington on Saturday evening, is especially prolific in these pronouncement*. Further, "Hamlet was conceived and constructed when the great mind wag in its zenith. If, after to© performance of Saturday evening, it does nob stimulate exceedingly a greater curiosity in, and tendency to know more of, the works of the greatest dramatist the world has known (or is likely to know), then indeed our case is hopeless. But the Opera House has never held a bigger crowd — which is a good and a favourable omen. It deserves to continue. Mr. H. B. Irving mightily pleased me audience on Saturday* evening, making his entrance to a warm welcome. His success is due partly, it cannot be doubted, to tho fact •ihat he is the talented son of a memorable father, and for a much greater reason that his artistry demanded acclamation and recognition. His slim hgure and pallid, thoughtful face, his imaginative eyas, carried the suggestion of the mentally isolated Hamlet strongly' across th« footlights. B,h jneJancholy pose well depicted "that within which pas.geth sbpwj these b.ut the trappings and th« suits of woe." Verily is he the sensitive plapt in that "unweeded garden that grow* to seed" — a plant which, after vain striving with its surround- I ings, ia overcome by tha tank growths, ,abput it. Mr. Irving's splendid elocu- I tion was demonstrated in the various j soliloquies. His brooding voice, mea- i sured and excellently disciplined, or vehement and denunciatory, seldom jarred, and always gave the idea of its keeping pace with his thoughts. Perhaps for such a subtle thinker and stu< dent of metaphysics as the Prince pro* bably waa, Mr. Irving stressed the agony of mind and soul overmiich in the passage with Claudius, his uncle, but for sheer restrained art his work at the j conclusion of. the first act was notable. In his "antic' disposition" phase Mr. Irving fairly lost himself in the role, saving perhaps in one scene which shall be noted later. His assumed madness, akin at times to delirium, his level glances proved his fine appreciation of the position. One felt instinctively thai here was a soul overwrought with the knowledge of hifc uncle'a foul 'crime, his mother's eafcy-going pin, aud overwrought, too, with life at large, and the revenge charged to his band. With a naturalness Mr^ Irving pictured the fierce emotions that swept him hither and thithejs^here, in that delicately satirical scene with Poloniua, in act 2, and there, where, he fooled those indifferent plotters, Rosencrantz and Guildenetern. But )t .was in the second scene of act 3 that Mr. Irving rose to his greatest heights. His simulation of mad passion, his storm of histrionic fury, his cruej sneerings, captured the house. It is a natural Hamlet who 'prompts the strolling players to a demonstration of the King s murder by Claudius, and, again, a mind on the edge of real derangement, that plucked at Ophelia's elbow, the while he croqehed to watch the guilt rice in his uncle's faoe. Ac the scene unfolds, Mr. Irving made Hamlet creep along the floor, closer and closer, to mock the King. Here Mr. Irving appeared to overreach bis mark. It was Hamlet openly charging the King with murder. Nevertheless, it was a powerful and thrilling ecene, and powerfully carried out. Of the upbraiding of his mother, the death of Polonius, and the settled fatalism of the prince in the last act, when he simply goes with the tide, Mr. Irving gave heaped-up meaau.ro. According to hia eplendid conception of the role, he acted superbly, and in one or two placee where there appeared to be a falling ' away, one questions hie conception, not his interpretation. Miss Dorothea Baird (Mrs. Irving) was hardly so satisfactory as Ophelia. Miss Baird ie tall, and of fine carriage and presence. Her liap was a little handicap, while "her exits and entrances, her little passages with Hamlet, did not suggest the artless, simple girl so vividly as might bo. In the "mad scene" Miss Baird warmed to her work, and was lyell rewarded by her witnesses, though in herv depiction of madness she was inclined to be more, agonised than pathetic. As Poloniua, Mr. A. WhitWy is entitled to congratulation. His portrayal of the crafty and reverend pinner, mouthing qopy-book precept* to his son, Laertes, his ehidjng of Ophelia, his reading (with comment) of Hamlet's letter to his daughter before the King and Queen, i demonstrated Mr. Whifcby's art in a marked degree. It was indeed v«ry good work, subtle, suggestive, and restrainedly effective. j Mr. Frank Tyars played the King with spirit. His make-up was a strong feature. Miss- Helen Roue, as the sensuous Quean of Denmark, did not realise the character very convincingly. The same may be said of Mr. Stanley Howlet as Horatio. Mr. Eric Maxon interpreted the role of the gallant Laertes with spirit, though inclined to p}ay to the house, and minor characterisations of merit were provided by others. The graveyard scene was a splendid example of artistic mounting, the colour scheme beginning with the crimson cloaks of the mourners, with a background of a rich plum tint. The struggle between Laertes and Hamlet outside Ophelia's grave -wta not overrealistic. The concluding scene of sudden deaths, too, was rather- thin and tired- The "ghost" illusion thrilled, and the mounting and dressing were adequate. "Hsmlot" will be produced until further notice. SHORTT'S THEATRE. A complete change of programme wUI be presented at Shortt's Theatre this evening. Amongst the new pictures to be shown are "The Last of the Mohicans," "Eugene Dpaybnrn,' 1 "Swiss Landscapes'' (a. fine ecenio study), ''The Dean's Reward," "Willie Professor of Gymnastics," and"TheZoa at Antwerp." Patrons, are reminded that the theatre is open from 11 a.m.. to 11 p.m.

NEWBURY-SPADA CONCERTS. The second of tho eeries of popular ahilling concerts inaugurated by Mr. Philip Newbury and Madame Spada at the Town Hall wUI be given next Wednesday evening. Mr. Hamilton Hodges and other well-known artists will assist. Mr. Newbury will sing the tenor song from the opera "La Bohemo" — "The Poet's Song " ; " Ah ! Moon of My Delight," from Liza Lehmann's "In a Persian Garden " ; aud Mattei'e " Bianca." Ho will also be heard in duets with Madame Spada in " A Night in Venice" (Arditi), and with Mr. Hamilton Hodges in "Watchman, What of the Night " (Sargeant). Mr. Hodges will be heard in a new setting of " The Bedouin Love Song," by an American composer. Reserved eeata may be booked at the Dresden. MUNICIPAL MUSIC. Th« year's municipal mueic in the Town Hall will commence on Saturday next, when the City Organut will give an organ recital. The Municipal Orcheetra will resume rehearsals next week, and the first concert will take place towards the end of February. The programmes for the present year will contain popular works by Rossini, Herold, Weber, and Boieldieu, and compositions by Sibelius and Jarnefeldt, which have attained great success in Europe. Present arrangements include the performance of a complete symphony at alternate concerts. • Schubert's Unfinished Symphony and the earlier Beethoven Symphonies are ampngot the works selected. It is also proposed to give example* of Chamber music at some of the concerts. THEATRE ROYAL. It is difficult t<> express in black and white the perfect natural beauties of the kinemaoc-lor pictures now being screened by tho Fuller Proprietary at the Theatre Royal. The films, must bo seen to be appreciated. Included in the programme promised for to-night are "Pompeii," r 'Brusa, the Old Capital of Turkey," "Constantinople," "Oufc with fhe Exmoor Staghoanda," and a black and white sketch. Separate lanterns will now be used to obviate any delax inchanging to black and white. FULLERS' PICTURES. An, entirely new selection of films will be screened at the Skating Rink thia evening. The star item'ia said to be a Gaiynont coloured production entitled "Thrown to tha Lions." Other notable films axe "Told in Colorado," a Western drama, and "His Chow Girl Wife." THE KING'S THEATRE. The fine programme of the week drew another large audience to The King'e Theatre on Saturday nighti w.hen the favourite pictures, "The Sins of the Fathers" and "The Battle" received further encomiums. To-night the running will be taken up by another star attraction — a moving study entitled "The Power of Love." It ifi, in short, the story of the reclaimed rake, won to a better life by a woman's love. The wajavard prodigal falls in love with the typist who restores him' to eelf-respect and straight living. Another pictcure of powerful appeal is a classical drama, "Thrown to the Lions." THE NEW THEATRE. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is still the reigning attraction at The New Theatre, where an excellent programme of moving pictures can be eeen at any hour between 11' a.m. and 11 p.m. "Her Way," a domestic drama with much tp recommend it, la aiao a, popular picture with the patrons, of Messrs, Macmahon and Donnelly's house. There are several other excellent pictures, which will be seen for the last time to-night, as a complete change of programme will be presented to-mowow. STAR I»IC*URES. f - At the Star Theatre this evening -the usual change of programme will take place. Included "in the new bill are "Told in Colorado," a Western drama played in the Colorado Mountain? by the Sehg Company, "His Chow Girl Wife," one of the Lubin Company's latest dramas, "Dopley's Scheme," a comedy by the A.B. Company, "Thrown to the Lions," "Torpedo Boat Firing," and the latest Pathe Gazette. BIJOU THEATRE. There, was a change of programme at the Bijou Theatre on Saturday night, and the new bill of fare was evidently greatly enjoyed by the numerous audience present. The dramatic films, which are particularly interesting, include "The Veteran's Honour" (an incident in the Napoleonic \^ara), (f For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and "The Revenue Man and the Girl.". Of .the topical p.iotures perhaps the best is that showing the launching of a battleship, and scenes of Innsbruck and " Religions of the Persians" are novel and interesting. The comic films, including " Tontolinrs Serenade," are first-class, The _ programme will be repeated this evening. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. New pictures announced to-night for the kinematograph entertainment at St. Thomas's Hall include "The Power of Love" and "Thrown to the Lions." The former is a powerful study of the rake reclaimed by a woman'a love. "Thrown to the, Lions, ' as its title impliea, is a picture of the martyrdom, of' the early Christian* by the Romans. Both pictures are said to represent a high order of merit. The rest of the programme furnishes adequate support. HUDDERSFIELD BELLRINGERS. A sacred concert was given, by the Huddersfield Bellringers in the Town Hall last night. There was a numerous audience, and the programme _ submitted was evidently much appreciated.