SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 24 January 1929, Page 5

SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON.

ttiiilly producing tho whole,of Shakespeare's plays In the Southern Hemisphere Is well on its way-to* fulfilment, and a further seven only remain for him to stage to make the tale complete. During the three weeks' season which

"The Merchant of Venice" will initiate on Saturday night at tho Grand Opera House, seventeen of the great dramatist's works will bo given, including several never before staged here, and indeed rarely seen iv the Old World, •notably "Corlolanus" and "All's Well that Ends Woll." It ia diaicult to account for the neglect which particularly tho former of these two plays have been met by actor-managers and producers, for the name-part affords magnificent acting opportunities, while us a character-study and from the standpoint of dramatic, intensity it has few superiors. It lacks possibly the olonients of comedy and romance that make 'The Merchant of Venice," for example, so popular a favourite, and. have commended it to the playgoer with no pretensions to enthusiasm for the. classic drama, but it has a vigour and an clan that sweep the listener off his feet, lo say nothing of a political interest' that is extraordinarily modern In its application.. Tho old and tried favourites aro always sure of a welcome hearing, but the energy and" cnterpriso that afford tho playgoer in the Dominion opportunities for witnessing the lesser known Shakespearean dramas such as are not enjoyed anywhere outside London at tho "Old Vie." merit sincere- gratitude. The amount of work and study Involved in tho production of a repertoire of such astounding scope and .variety is inconceivable. May it meet with its full meed of appreciation in 1 the shape of full houses when the curtain rises on the opening night of the season on Saturday.