SHAKESPEARE CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 6

SHAKESPEARE CLUB

READING OF ‘ HAMLET.’ REFERENCE TO LATE MU WHITSON. Unquestionably one of the best reading* of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club given within recent years was that which delighted a crowded house at His Majesty s Theatre last night. The play was Hamlet,’ always a popular choice, and the cast was a particularly strong one. The story of the tragedy of Hamlet, the Rrince of Denmark, is, familiar to students and theatre-goers. Its excellence lies largely in its infinite variety, for while, as in most of Shakespeare's tragedies, violent death is a recurring feature throughout, the grimuess is happily relieved by many light touches of true comedy. It is_ an exemplification of the proverbial saying, “ Murder will out,” the perfidy of Claudius and Queen Gertrude being unveiled by the ghost of the murdered' king. The parts of the play read last night had been well chosen, though those responsible rather undcr-eslnnatc the lime required, with the result that it was a good deal later than usual when tho reading concluded. Nevertheless, the interest never ilaggcd for an instant. Naturally, the part of Hamlet dominated the rest. There was no complaint possible on this score, however, for the part was in the more than capable hands of Mr A. C. Hanlon. To say that Mr Hanlon was at In's best is to publish the fact that the. audience was treated to something very fine indeed. And such was the case. In the numerous tense, dramatic scenes in whiclt Hamlet figures Air Hanlon was always thrillingly effective, and his work consistently earned warm applause. Nor was he less admirable in the quieter passages in the earlier stages. Great scenes, indeed, were those in which Hamlet rants and rages before the shocked Ophelia (“Get thee to a nunnery”), ami where he endeavors, to bring his mother to some sense of her wickedness in a stormy interview, during which he inadvertently kills Polonius. Mr J. Fleming read the Hues 'of Claudius, the guilty king, in his customary finished style ; perhaps not quite so even a performance as lie usually gives, yet highly satisfying. Mr S. H. Osborn made a distinct success of tho part of Polonius (though here, again, the performance was a little uneven), into which lie put a lot of quaint humor. These lighter parts suit Air Osborn much better than do those which demand heavy dramatic treatment. Mr H. Chapman rend consistently well tho lines of Horatio. He had plenty of opportunities to go amiss, but took none of them, with tho result that he was amongst the favorites throughout, Mr H. \V. Hunter read very well indeed tho part of Laertes, the brother of Ophelia. He put a lot of feeling into the scenes connected with his sister’s misfortunes. Air C. J. L. White ■ doubled tho parts of Marcellus and Osric, and here, too, it was a case of a successful rising to (he occasion. The obsequious Osric’s passages in the scene with Hamlet were splendidly done. Mr J, C. Stephens was tlie first'gravedigger, and caused a great deal of laughter by his rendering of the lines of that witty character. He was ably seconded by AH' J. B. .Flynn as the second gravedigger. Air A. G. Fleming s deep voice suited the lines of the ghost, admirably, and Air A. H. Wilson delivered tho few lines allotted to the priest satisfactorily. The Ophelia of the occasion was Mies R. Boccking, and this young lady gave a surprisingly good account of herself. Sho has ;i nice voice, and her enunciation is commondably clear. The earlier scenes suited her young, fresh self, and she had but to be natural. But later, when the unfortunate daughter of Polonius loses her reason, the matter is a much more difficult one, and it was hero that Aliss Boccking thoroughly earned the expressions of approval which tho audience bestowed upon her. It was an excellent performance for a young girl. Aliss L. Morton read tho lines of Queen Gertrude correctly, though her interpretation rather lacked color. .Miss AlTcak was Chorus.

During the interval Mrs W.'R. Andrews sang two songs, with ’cello obligato, which which greatly enjoyed. Prior to the commencement of the rending Mr ,T. C. Stephens made feeling reference to’the dentil of Mr T. IV. Whitson, who was one of tho original founders of the club, and who had l bold the office of president for many years. Had the members consulted their own feelings, said Mr Stephens, the reading arranged for that night would have been postponed, hut the arrangements were so far forward that it was scarcely possible to do so; in addition to which Mr Whitson’s family did nut desire that course to be taken. At Mr Stephens’s request tho audience, stood in silence for a few moments a„s an expression of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman and of sympathy with his relatives.