SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 142, 18 May 1932, Page 5

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

PRINCE OF WALES' SPEECH

REMARKABLE NEW FEATURES.

The Prinoe of Wales flew to Strat-ford-on Avon and opened the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre recently in the presence of many distinguished I>eople, including Ambassadors and representatives of the Dominions, dramatists, poets and representatives of all branches of the theatrical profession and the arts.

The Prince, who was heralded by trumpeters, .spoke simply and briefly. He said Shakespeare, above all things, was am Englishman. He loved his country with a great and passionate of love. Shakespeare’s magic verse not only breathed the air of the countryside, but struck back into the heart of Britain’s history with all its pageantry and daring. Yet his genius was universal and evoked the homage of all nations. The secret of his wide appeal was that Shakespeare took an intense interest in the work-a-day world. The Prince, at the conclusion of his speech, opened the door with a gold key and took a seat among the large audience to witness the first performance, for which Part I. of King Henry IV. was chosen. The theatre cost £IBO,OOO. The endowment fund amounts to nearly £IOO,OOO. The architect, Miss Elizabeth Scott, says she gave no thought to the elevations until the interior had been planned. Marvellous mechanical devices have been incorporated in the construction of the theatre; ‘which replaces the famous building destroyed by fire in 1926. There are sections of the stage on rollers, which enable movement to

bo made to left or to right while another scene rolls froward.

As an alternative a centre coupling can be removed, after which the sides scurry .off and climb the walls like cats by means of chains!

•In the meantime another double stage rises on lifts to the stage level. The architects have been ideally faithful to Shakespeare, insisting' in every line of their work that “the play’s the thing.” Empire woods have been used throughout, .Australian walnut mnd sycamore figuring in the proscenium.