SHAKESPEARE ON SCREEN.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1937, Page 6

SHAKESPEARE ON SCREEN.

Bergner In "As You Like It"

The effort of the screen to do justice to Shakespeare makes a notable forward step in "As Yovr Like It, with Elisabeth Bergner asr Rosalind, which will be shown shortly at the Plaza Theatre. Shakespeare appeals to all, and appeals particularly to the schools, where he is still the backbone of English. No effort has been spared to allow school teachers and all others interested in Shakespeare to test the quality of the picture by attending pre-, views shown in advance of its public screening; and preview audiences appear to be well impressed with this picturisation of . one of the greatest of Shakespearean comedies. The style adopted by the players is to speak the lines without too much declamatory stiffness; in adopting this more natural and conversational style, they have not sacrificed the rhythm nor the dignity of Shakespeare.. There have been many Rosalinds to compare with Elisabeth Bergner, and opinions about her performance may differ, but no one will deny that she infuses into the boy-part a splendid vital energy. There have been many Orlandos also, but few who can challenge Laurence Olivier. The famous speeches of the Banished Duke and of Jaques are heard from such actors as Henry Ainley and Leon Quartermaine. As Silvius, Richard Ainley carries on the j family tradition. Sophie Stewart is Celia, and Mackenzie Ward is Touchstone. "As You Like It" is a G.8.D.. (Gaumont-British-Dominion) attraction. and the director- is. Dr. Czinner. husband of Elisabeth-Berg-ner. Shakespeare-lovers - will And interest in comparing the many , stage productions of "As You Like It' during the last half-century in Wellington, with the camera production. The 'camera shots of the exterior of, the castle (as in the wrestling scene) and of the interior (as in the scene in which Rosalind is expelled)' are something not hitherto associated with ' A$ You Like It," and the animals and reptiles of the Forfest: of Arden are real; The wrestling is a real, wsestle, and some quite friendly poultry figure in the English farm scene with,which the comedy opens. The pleasant impression made by "As You Like It" suggests that plcturised Shakespeare has come to stay, not in substitution or staged Shakespeare, but as an ally and reinforcement thereof.