ENGLAND’S GREATEST ACTRESS

Evening Star, Issue 21316, 21 January 1933, Page 17

ENGLAND’S GREATEST ACTRESS

SYBIL THORNDIKE AND COMPANY FIRST DUNEDIN APPEARANCE TC-MIGHT Making her first appearance in Dunedin, at Tiis Majesty’s Theatre to-night, is Sybil Thorndike, the finest actress the English stage can boast to-day. bier season is a very limited one, but within its compass, local playgoers will have the chance of appraising a genius that has earned Dame Sybil the plaudits of the world, and that includes m its wide divagations the whole field of stage presentation; for she is admittedly unexcelled both in comedy and tragedy. It is comedy at its most brilliant apogee that will introduce Dame. Sybil and her London company to-night Shaw’s witty and engrossing play. ‘ Captain Bfassbound’s Conversion, outstanding for its scintillating dialogue and startling situations. Her Lady Cicely is said to be one or the greatest portraits accredited to an English actress, a masterpiece of accomplishment. . On Tuesday evening she will follow this initiation in the emotional role of Joan in Shaw’s * Saint Joan,’ a drama written by the great dramatist for the equally great actress, and these productions will be followed by * Macbeth, in which Dame Sybil and her husband have won world fame in the tragic leading parts; the season concluding, as it will begin, on a light, joyous note, with the presentation of a charming comedy, ‘ Madame Plays Nap.’ Truly an epicurean feast of the best things the stage has to offer. . Mr Lewis Casson, D.firto Sybil s husband, who is recognised as one of the world’s leading producers to-day, will lie responsible for the mise-cn-Scene of all the plays in the company’s repertory. Mr Casson will also star opposite Dame Sybil. They will be supported by a brilliant company of artists, all of them specialists in the particular types of work which they will perform. The productions, settings, costumes, etc., will be replicas of those used in the West End London theatres in which Dame Sybil has appeared in these sueBoth as regards personnel and material. the Dunedin public is assured of a unique ensemble, such as has been rarely taken out of London. Certainly this venture will give an unexampled opportunity of witnessing the finest products of the English stage, the most brilliant acting, and the most elaborate and artistic mounting in its highest form. ■% Properties, scenic, and lighting effects arrived vesterday in charge of J. C. Williamson’s experts, and Dame Sybil and party arrived at 4.18 . this afternoon, wbbn they were received at the station by the Mayor and Mrs Black and representatives of the different societies of art, and local public bodies. Box plans, programmes, and other particulars are advertised.