SHAKESPEARE SEASON

Evening Star, Issue 20150, 15 April 1929, Page 4

SHAKESPEARE SEASON

1 .MUSH ADD ABOUT NOTHING' A POPULAR SUCCESS ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ played before practically a, full house at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, proved to be one of the most delightful comedies which the Allan Wilkie Company lias presented on this occasion, the manner of its playing evoking enthusiastic and rapturous approbation from the audience. How memorable a season the company has provided is proved by the fact that, beginning on March 3(5, eighteen performances have been given, including matinees, and thirteen plays staged; also by the fact that the quality of the performances has been ascendant. The astonishing range and sustained quality has been a credit to the whole company, as well as to the principals, and tragedy and comedy have figured alike in the repertoire. And on Saturday night the thirteenth night—not unlucky for Mr Wilkie, for it gave him his largest attendance—there was hardly a weak spot in the east, and the audience went home delighted. •Much Ado About. Nothing’ was popular on the stage in Shakespeare’s day, and has evidently sustained its reputation. The last presentation of it in Dunedin was as long ago as 1881, so that Sir Wilkie was practically breaking new ground. Its variety, ranging from almost burlesque to almost tragedy, and from the enthusiastic speech of courtiers to the blundering verbosity of clowns, contributes to the success of the play. It was in his later comedies, among which ‘Much Ado’ ranks, that the true Shakespearean comedy reached its utmost beauty and perfection. In ‘Much Ado’ the high spirits which had given life to the ‘ Shrew ’ and ‘ Merry Wives ’ still play their parts, in a more excellent way, in the creation of the brilliant pair Beatrice and Benedick, two of the most popular of Shakespeare’s characters. There is also the immortal Dogberry, whose glorious irrelevance has made him famous for all time. Though the main design of the story concerns the romance of Hero and Claudio, the chief force of Shakespeare, comes out in the characters of Beatrice and Benedick. From characters like Ophelia and Juliet to Beatrice is a far cry. but Miss Hunter-Watts surmounted all difficulties of space and time. In the wit, charm, and vitality of Beatrice she lacked nothing, picturing the “queen of dazzling converse,” of intellectual wit. but also one of Shakespeare’s truest and bravest women, in a way that put the hall-mark of quality on her work. Like Benedick, she had no part in the original story, and there was . but one moment when siie came vitally into it—that at which the great cry “Kill Claudio,” flamed from her in telling style ns she faced Benedick’s half-hearted inquiry what she wished him to do. All the force and colour of a splendid character were artistically drawn by Miss Hunter-Watts. The character of Benedick, the wit, the humorist, the gentleman, and the. soldier, was undertaken by Mr Wilkie himself, and of it he made a distinct success. With much skill he portrayed the part of the professed railor against the fair sex, and in the jangling and Frequent arguments with Beatrice exploited his role to the utmost The gentle, affectionate, and tender Hero was admirably played by Miss Mildred Howard, whose work throughout was excellently done. Hero was the victim of a dastardly plot, and her very innocence rendered her more helpless to meet it. Miss Howard madeHero the irresistibly charming but exquisitely siltmt woman which Shakespeare intended her to be, and in the church scene, where she finds herself powerless to refute the base accusation again her chastity, she displayed fine dramatic conception of what was required of her. The part of Claudio admirably suited Mr Dennis Barry, whose work was conspicuous for its youthf illness and. sentimentalism. Tho Don Pedro of Mr Alexander Marsh produced sonic splendid acting, in the style taat has won him a high place in the estimation of tho Dunedin public. Not a syllable of the many lines that fell to his lot to ryritc was lost. Mr John Cairns had a fairly heavy role in the part of Leonato and acquitted himself admirably, and as the solemn ass Dogberry Mr William Lockhart was delightfully droll and amusing. Mr Arthur Keane as Don. John, Mr Vincent Scully as Antonio, Mr Milton Sands as Bor; diio, Mr Herbert Slicldriek as Friar Francis, and the other members of tho company played well, their intelligent and sympathetic support assisting greatly in the success of the play. One of the most enjoyable features of ‘ Much Ado ’ was the charming dresses of the women and the picturesque attire of tho men. There were also some exceedingly pretty scenes, and the graceful old-time dances near the beginning and as a finale drew enthusiastic applause. The bright and extremely suitable music arranged by Mr Bradshaw Major and played well by the orchestra was again a feature. At t!ie final curtain the company received the hearty approbation of a delighted audience. In thanking those present Air Wilkie intimated that half the gross proceeds of the performance of ‘King Lear’ to-night would be devoted to the flood relief fund. ‘ KING LEAR ’ PERFORMANCE FOR FLOOD DISTRESS RELIEF FUND. Air Wilkie provides a magnificent opportunity this evening to couple benevolence with pleasure, when he produces to the Dunedin audience for the first time tho .stupendous drama of ‘lying Lear.’ During his Auckland season ‘.King Lear ’ was the play chosen by His Excellency Sir Charles Fcrgusson as a command performance, and the presentment of the tragedy was hailed with a chorus of praise by tho Auckland Press. Air Wilkie is said to give tho best work of his whole career in tlie role of the mad king, from the first scene of the play when he relinquishes his power to his daughters Goneril and Regan, until the final curtain. ‘King Lear’ from scene to scene is a string of tremendous and poignant situations, and nothing .in dramatic literature can compare with the old king’s facing about and Ids calling down Heaven s curse oil the monstrous ingratitude of Ids . daughters. The pathos of Ids facing the storm in .company with his faithful Jestev, is almost too deep to bear, except that Shakespeare's wonderful linos temper the dramatic situations with their beauty.

Miss Hunter-Watts will be seen in the role of Cordelia, Miss Lorna Forbes will be Regan, and Miss Marjorie Carr plays Goneril. Mr Alexander Marsh has the role of Edmund, and Mr Hennis Barry has the part of Edgar. Half the gross receipts of this performance will, be donated by Mr AA ilkie to the flood jjistres's relief fund. .