SHAKESPEARE SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 5

SHAKESPEARE SEASON

"THE MERRY WIVES OF

WINDSOR"

In representing the principal characters in the generous assortment of Shakespearian plays ho is presenting in his Wellington season, Air. Allan Wilkie lias undertaken a tremendous task, tfhe.which only a thorough love ami understanding of the great master's works could justify; but there was no stint of applause from v well-filled house for his Jj nalstulf in "The Merry Wives of Windsor" last night. It is true that there.was little of the.unholy, bubbling zest of wickedness usually associated with the fat knight's memory in days when he was merry and witty enough to,be the" boon companion of Prince Hal, but it is an older, though equally plausible rascaf Mr. Wilkie limned list night, the old Adam warring witli senility, and as such, the make-up and acting were both perfect. The amorous Sir John, whoso aged limbs could scarce support his immense bulk, credulous enough through his inordinate vanity to be made the butt of the merry wives three times iv succession, weather beaten and greasy as to apparel, and followed by three' truly scurvy knaves intent on the pickings, yet aroused sympathy because of the very human nature of his frailties. The two chief bedevillers of the larded swain, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, were well played by Miss Hunter Watts and Miss Forbes. Their delight at the discovery that they had received twin love letters from I'alstaif, their almost hysterical acceptance o£ the impossible, and their giggling, childish glee iv the conspiracy were so naturally acted that the comedy straightway became reality, and, aided by excellent representations of the minor parts, remained so to the end. Ford, informed by Pistol of Falstaff's attempts on his wife, as is Page by Nym, gnawed by the fires of jealousy, disguises himself as Brook, and adds to his misery by ingratiating himself with Sir John only to have his convictions intensified..' Mr. Alexander Marsh did himself credit in this part, both as the wily Brook and as the distracted husband, whose ravings add to the fun of the merry wives "yet honest too." Mr. Milton Sands "was a care-free Page, confident in his wife, carelessly debonair, cocksure of his matrimonial plans for wedding his daughter Ann to the nincompoop Slender. Sir Hugh Evans, the Welsh parson (Mr. Herbert Sheldrick) and Dr. Ciiius, the French physician (Mr. John Cairns) provided a novel version of the ridiculous duel, the latter creating a thoroughly excitable- Gallic character with success. Bardolph was a beery masterpiece, even of an ago when all drank heavily, the loud-mouthed Pistol chewed his verbose utterances with all the zest of the ignorant, and Nym was the hissing, concentrated essence of an imp of malice without the courage to be dangerous. Messrs. Keith Hall, John Cameron, and Miles Hastings filled these parts well. Mine host of the Garter (Mr. William Lockhart) was bluffly obsequious. Miss Hilda Scurr, as Mistress Quickly, had a-great deal to do with the success of the comedy, and her scenes cajoling Sir John to try again were delightful. Tlio pompons Justice Shallow was well played by Mr. Vincent Scully. Few better Slenders have been seen than that of Mr. Arthur Keane. The neighing cackle, the mincing walk, and the ntter absence of any initiative, were clever. Many minor touches, such as the business with the purse between Falstaff and Brook, and the awkward loading of the buckbasliet with its fatted victim, and the simplicity yet effectiveness of the settings in the sixteen scenes, proved craftsmanship, while the dance of the elves was prettily staged. Miss Marjorie Moulton made Falstaff a pretty page. To-night sees the production or the ever popular fantasy "A Midsummer Nights Dream." A special troupe of singing and dancing fairies has been engaged for the production, and the musical items have been much embellished since Mr. Wilkie last staged the piece in Wellington, more especially by the introduction of Mendelssohn's magnificent compositions. Lovers of this play will find that to-night s production far surpasses previous presentations in Wellington of "The Dream, though in many instances the cast is the same as on the "last visit of the Allan Wilkie Company. Mr. Wilkie will again present his unctuous acting of Bottom the Weaver, and Miss Hunter-Watts will again be the Titania. Mr. Dennis Barry will play Puck,' Miss Lorna Forbes, Hermia, and Mr. Alexander Marsh will be seen as Lysander. To-morrow both for matinee and evening performances. "The Taming of the Shrew" will be staged.