‘HENRY V.'

Evening Star, Issue 14162, 11 September 1909, Page 8

‘HENRY V.'

BY THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB. 'Henry V.’ is probably/ the mort popular of Shakespeare's historical plays, Aa Mr w J. Monel], M.A., slated m hi* preatory paper last night, it is a national play written by Shakespeare wh«*n in his fullest vigor, when power of thought and power of expression were a! - i’leir nicest balance. It shows' England, then a nation of soldiers rather than a nation of ShopKeepers, at war under the personal lead*rehip of a king who was a characteristic Englishman, ol action. Some have regretted- Shakespeare's “ Rejection of Falstaff ’ in this play. As Mr Morrell pointed out, Falstaff, had he been kept alive, would have divided with the king our interest, and here there is room only for one hero. It is no use saying that Falkaff is no hero, B'e ought to hate the abominable old man, but we ’ 'y delight in him; we love him. t >■ tliat Falstaff is actually Qpd no Mr and a coward, as well 88 a ni: ' iiius. We do not forgot tho fact, in ly forget to hate it as we ought. The tri'.i nph of Falstaff and his‘company down the ages is that in their'presence wo caunnt luck at anything senotndy. Re perverts, if he does not destroy, our moral sense. Therefore his cowardice is not intruded info this play where every Engli-.li-eoldier is fighting the hereditary foe as earnestly and as valiantly as the traditional Englishman fights; his other powers of fascination are not there to distract our attention from the central figure and the U g national issues at stake. But we ate mollified by being reminded of Falstaff, even if it is only to hear of his last moments — hi.s cold feet, and his babbling of green fields and of sack, ’(’his scene was admirably done last night. The three pictimsoue, rascally camp followers of the deceased knight were in excellent hands, the Pistol of Mr Bernard Nicholls being particularly good, and as the hostess—tlip Mistress Quickly of the previous reign— Mrs Griffiths was inimitable, 'Tills early scene, raised expectation to a high level, and paved Die way to a performance of such great aIJ-rounil merit that the members of tlic iShal.cispeare Club must he congratulated on one of the biggest and most genuine successes they have ever scored. Mr A. (J. Uanlon led the way. In voice, physique, hearing, and many other attributes he is splendidly equipped for this royal part. Tho youthful impetuosity of Prince llal was there, but matured by tho added year or two of ago and responsibility, and never detracting from the dignity of (he King of England. Despite, the limitations imposed by tho mere reading of a pari, it was a strong, thorough port rail that, impressed itself more indelibly on the mind than many a part played, with all the stage accessories, by an experienced actor. Air Hanlon has strong personality, and it is well suited by'this pari. Thu audience were not slow to recognise his line work, and there was a regular outburst of spontaneous enthusiasm after his delivery of the call lo arms before Harllenr. Not a whit less admirable was his handling of Ihc scene (judiciously toned dowp as to some of Hie dialogue) wherein, victorious, he courts the daughter of the humbled French King. In,this, coming after all the heavy work, there was a flavor and subtlety that was never surpassed by the rarest old Bordeaux wine taken after dinner. Mr Hanlon had Ihe advantage of having in Miss Bland ford a surprisingly clever exponent of Princess Katherine. - Earlier in (he evening Miss Blandford had put in delightful work in the. scene in which she takes a lesson in English. Her French was irreproachable, and her comedy bewitching. But mention has not yet been made of a character study that was excelled by no one in the cast, not excluding those who Ipivc just been sn highly praised. As Flnellen. Air ,1. B. Galhm. jmi., showed powers of comedy that made that character stand out perfect in every detail. His interpretation was that of a profound Khakcspcrian student with an apt sense ot tin' humorous, and hi.s touch was so unerring that every line in his presentation ol it told as surely ns does every lino in a Phil May drawing. Limitations of space preclude going into further details of what was a very lino achievement by members of the club, and recognised as such by the overflowing audience at the Bpriis Hull. During the evening songs were given by Aliss Florence Baccy and Air 11. H. Brian!.