“Victoria Regina”

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 44, 22 February 1938, Page 9

“Victoria Regina”

FAY COMPTON’S GREAT ARTISTRY “Victoria Regina” the play in which the distinguished English actress, Miss Fay Compton will make her appearance here at the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday nights next was written by a man who had a 35 years’ fight with the censor. “Victoria Regina” was banned in England until last June. The author, Laurence Housman, has written ronnd the character of Queen Victoria. As a result of the Lord Chamberlain’s action, the first public appearance of the play did not take place in London until June 21, 1937, and since then it has attracted record audiences to the Lyric there. Meanwhile it has had a run of 2 years in Uew York and was received with enthusiasm in Paris. The appearance of Fay Compton would be an event of considerable importance at any time and in any play. Her appearance now is most welcome. Drama and comedy have been neglected in the commercial theatre for a long time, and the public is thirsting for good plays. Miss Compton is one of the most versatile actresses on the English-speaking stage, and in “Victoria Regina” she will have an abundance of opportunities for the display of her great artistry. In “Victoria Regina” she will be seen as Queen Victoria in 10 eventful stages of her long reign, and during the performance her age advances from 18 to 78. The following was written by a Melbourne critic, of the first performance there of “Victoria Regina.” “The audience which filled the King’s Theatre to overflowing awarded vociferous honours to Miss Compton, her players and the producer. Miss Compton’s beauty, voice and personality cast a spell over the piece. J. C. Williamson Ltd., mounted the play upon such a lavish scale that the first night audience found itself applauding the scenery, and it drew from Miss Compton a special tribute in the course of her curtain speech. It was indeed, a brilliant presentation.” Another critic wrote, * ‘Because it covers nearly a century of living and is full of subtleties, the Victoria of this play is one of the most difficult parts an author has ever provided for an actress, but Fay Compton’s performance exceeded the most optimistic expectations. “Victoria Regina” is not, in the accepted sense, an historical play, but history of the years when Britain reached het greatest heights which forms a tremendous background for the simple love story of two most charming people. Of the 40 or so episodes in Victoria’s life that have been dramatised by Laurence Housman, only 10 are used in “Victoria Regina” but they are those which carry the story forward most significantly.* l Among the historic characters that are presented in “Victoria Regina” are the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duchess of Kent, Prince Albert, Prince Ernest, the Duchess of Sutherland, Lady Jane. Mrs Gladstone, John Brown, Lord Beaconsfield, Edward, Prince of Wales, Alexandra, Princess of Waless, the Duke of York, First Royal Princess and the second Royal Princess. The box plans will be opened at Collinson and Cunninghame’s on Friday morning next at nine o’clock. The production is staged under the direction of Mr. Peter Dearing, the well known London stage director.