ALLAH WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY

Evening Star, Issue 19616, 23 July 1927, Page 2

ALLAH WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY

The Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company will open a season at His Majesty’s nest Saturday evening with an elaborately staged presentation of the “ royal pageant ” play, ‘ Henry \'Hl.’ For this production Mr Allan Wilkie, during his recent visit to England, purchased the whole of the costumes made for Sir Herbert Tree’s London season of the play. ‘ Henry VIII.’ involves a big cast, and this is one of the reasons why Mr Wilkie has considerably augmented his company. Mr Wilkie, who takes the part of Cardinal Wolsey is reported by the Australian press to give a wonderfully fine interpretation of that great characterin his pride and in his fall. There is a sumptuonsness of effect surrounding the cardinal, even when stripped of his power, that calls for the utmost his-: trionic ability, and in this respect Mr Wilkie is said to excel himself. A sun passingly artistic conception of the role of Queen Katherine is also credited to Miss Hunter-Watts. It has been said that the character of Queen Katherine is the most perfect delineation of matronly dignity, sweetness, and resignation that'can he conceived. Dr Johnson observes that “the rneek sorrows and virtuous distress of Katheripe have furnished some scenes which may be justly numbered among the greatest efforts of tragedy.” Mr Frank Clelow, a talented English actor, is stated to present the character of Henry VIIL with vivid truth and spirit. Shakespeare painted this very disagreeable portrait with the hand of a master. The charming Anne Boleyu, as Shakespeare ohfise to interpret her, is impersonated 1 by Miss Minna Suckling, who has lately come from England to join the company. ‘ Henry VIII. ’ will be presented on the following Monday and Tuesday evenings. The box plan is at the the Bristol. The second production will be ‘ A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ on the afternoon, and evening of Wednesday, August 3,