ALLAN WILKIE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10921, 12 June 1929, Page 6

ALLAN WILKIE

SiIAKESPEAREAN SEASON. TO START TOMORROW NIGHT

'rile first production, of Hie Allan Wilkie season, which opens at the

Opera House, to-morrow night, will he “The Merchant of Venice,” with Mr. Wilkie as Shvloek, it role that is recognised as one ol his finest impersonations, There is no doubt that the personnel that Allan Wilkie has gathered round him for his present tour of the Dominion is the most experienced and competent Shakespearean combination in the world. Half-a-dozen members alone, who gained their experience with such •Sants of the costume drama as .Hermann Vozin. Sir Herbert Tree. Lionel RSgnold, Airs. Bandmann Palmer. Sir Ft R. Benson. Osmund Tearle. and others, can number 150 years ot Shakespearean acting between them. Air. AVilkio himself was in the or-

iginal Sir Herbert Tree Shakespearean Repertoire Company. A very notable members of the cast now introduced to New Zeahiad for the first time is Air Alexander Marsh, who for many years prior to joining Air Wilkie in Australia just over twelve months ago. toured his own Shakesoearean C’omnany—especially in the North of England, in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In his three or four months’ New Zealand experience. Air Marsh has made hosts of admirers and Air Wilkie, is to be congratulated on recruiting this fine Shake-

spearean actor. The company will also (include Such nrime favorites as AI r Dennis Barry, Aft- John Cairns, Mr Arthur Keane. Mr Alilton Sands, Air AYdUam Lockhart. and Air P. Y. Setu y. Af.iss Flunter-AVatts is again oil the present tour. Air "Wilkie's leading lady, and brings to her interpreta-

tions all the old charm and genius that, have, secured her a \following second to none throughout'the five continents. Miss Lorn a. Forbes. Miss Mildred Howard, Afiss Marjorie Carr and Afiss Hilda. Scurr, a Dunedin girl and a recent accession to tlie company are other popular members of this powerful combination.