‘KING LEAR’

Evening Star, Issue 21709, 2 May 1934, Page 15

‘KING LEAR’

SHAKESPEARE CLUB'S READING It vyas a large and decidedly appreciative audience which heard members of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club read ‘ King J.car ’ in His Majesty's Theatre last night. There is ample evidence to prove that ‘ King Lear,’ a powerful story of filial ingratitude and wild and unnatural deeds, is regarded as one of Shakespeare’s impressive works. It is tragedy carried to the utmost limits, and so full is it of action that its successful interpretation—particularly by readers—requires a wealth of vocal expression. The members of the club who gave last night’s reading cannot be complimented too highly on their work. As a gathering of readers they held the audience from first to last. As individuals they managed to give a clearcut interpretation of the personal traits of the Shakespearean characters—and some of these arc indeed difficult to depict convincingly. Altogether the evening may be said to have furnished still more evidence of the oratorical talent which is to be found in Dunedin. The central figure was, of course, King Lear himself. This important character was strikingly portrayed by Air J. Fleming, who, in a part which required tremendous variations in feeling, achieved an undoubted personal triumph. With a fine, understanding of the sentiment and expression that was called for at the moment he made the old king live. In bursts of passion he was dramatically effective, while in the. more subdued lines, such as when Lear pleads with Regan, he showed excellent vocal command over a totally different form of oratory. The development of Lear’s characteristics under persistent persecution was painted in strong verbal colouring. The ladies to whom were assigned the difficult tasks of portraying the king’s three daughters also did their work well. Particularly were obstacles encountered by those who took the parts of Goneril and Regan. For it is no easy matter for young Dunedin ladies of healthy outlook to interpret the treachery and covetousness of that terrible pair. However, Miss M. Yates, as Goneril, and Miss N. Henaghan, as Regan, read their lines in a most convincing manner, showing that they had a complete understanding of the necessary mode of speech. Airs F. J, Gair drew a pleasant, tender picture of Cordelia, and interpreted all that was best in the part. A stirring representation of the Earl of Kent was given by Air H. AV. Hunter, whose readings never fail to please, while there was a good deal of appropriate quiet power- in Air N. Al‘Kinlay’s delineation of the Duke of Albany. Air S. H. Osborn’s reading of the lines attributed to the Fool Was exceedingly well done. As a matter of fact, the whole cast gave a well balanced and intelligent rendering of the selections—a fact which obviously was not lost on the audience. Other readers were:—Mr S. G. Lock (Duke of Cornwall), Air R. H. Wilson (Earl of Gloucester), Mr D. E. Dali (Edgar), Air R. Herbert (Edmund), Air F. J. Gair (Doctor), Mr AA r . B. Qucnncll (Oswald), and Air I. Turnbull (captain and herald). Aliss AI. O’Sullivan’s work as chorus was of the greatest assistance. The chairman for the reading was Air Fleming. An enjoyable interlude was Miss Dorothy. Mackay’s song ‘ Should He Upbraid?’ (Shakespeare-Bishop), Airs Alfred Walmsley acting as accompanist.