Love Romance of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 3

Love Romance of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

FAY COMPTON’S GREAT ROLE This morning the box plans will be opened at nine* o’clock for the appearance here on Monday and Tuesday nights next at the Opera House of England’s greatest actress, Miss Fay Compton and her brilliant London company in Laurence Housmau’s magnificent and very' spectacular drama “Victoria Regina” in which they scored a terrific triumph in Auckland. The play has never failed to grip its audience in the simplicity of its human incident, and tho spectacular and historical sweep of that period 1837-1897, wherein the British Commonwealth blossomed into a flower of Imperialism. Victoria, u monarch and individual, becomes to us something very human and tangible in her love of the Prince Consort, in her contact with Disraeli and Mrs Gladstone; in her courage when threatened with personal injury, and her pride in recalling the incident during the Diamond Jubilee procession, when a man called out “Go it, Old Girl, You’ve done it Well.” Use of the haomophillia in the romance of Victoria and Albert has considerable biological interest for students. Bu t stronger in this drama is that profound sense of personal devotion by the: Queen for a Prince Consort, who, in his comparatively brief lifetime, did not share with her that popular esteem which her Majesty so conspicuously inspired. “The comedy talent of Miss Fay Compton,” wrote a critic recently, “was exemplified delightfully in the Morning Glory scene, when Victoria gazes with wonder and fear at the slight of Albert shaving. Here it was apparent that in Miss Compton and Bruno Barnabc, the two principal characters were being magnificently portrayed. In this scene and the bereavements scene in the second part, which had been wisely added to the script of the London production, the famous English actress was outstandingly convincing in her versatility and measured diction. Once she had entered into the spirit of her role she never fluffed a line nor expanded either in voice or gesture, to become the least flamboyant. But it was in her talk with Mrs Gladstone at Buckingham Palace, and in the magnificent Scottish setting within the garden tent ai Balmoral in 1877 shat the Queen lived most vividly with the audience. The Balmoral scene—“ The; Queen, God Bless Her” —was taken from Housman’s play “Angels and Ministers.” Here the Queen was most natural, with the honest, uncourtly John Brown, gaunt, downright Highlander, as she prepared to receive Lor i Beaconsfield (Disraeli) splendidly portrayed by Stafford Hilliard. Altogether “Victoria Regina” is a great play, brilliantly acted by Fay Compton and her specially selected London, company. “Victoria Regina” is also one of the most spectacular productions ever staged in New Zealand by the J. C. Willi amson Ltd. management.