ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17845, 28 July 1921, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY.

The first production of " Julius Caesar :> by the Allan Wilkie (Jnmpany was given at His Majesty's Theatre yesterday afternoon before a large audience. Although the youthful section of the house showed a tendency to applaud at the wrojrg moment, the audience was gripped with the enactment of the tragedy of imperial Rome and held spellbound by the noble language of the masterpiece and the speeches which will live to the end of time. Mr. Allan Wilkie played the part of Marcus Antonius with outstanding success. It is probably one of his best Shakespearean roles. He gave to the pregnant, lines a power and meaning which are often lost by the student in reading the play. The speech to the pupulace was delivered with remarkable realism and oratorical effect. Mr. Jack Lennon was seen in the role of Brutus, and displayed high talent and elocutionary power. Mr. Robert Purdie made an admirable Cassius, endowing the character with tiery power. Mr. Augustus Neville was excellent in the role of Julius Caesar, in every way creating the atmosphere of imperial majesty. As Portia, the wife of Brutus. Miss Jane King acted with great charm, rising to artistic heights in the scene in which jhe appeals to Brutus. Miss Lorna Forbes was equally good in the part of Calfuvnia. The other principal characters were uniformly -well acted

In the evening the company presented the romanti<r pastoral comedy, "As You Like It," for the second time. Miss Hunter-Watts appeared to great advantage in the congenial role of Rosalind, and Mr. Wilkie made an admirable kFaq'ues. Only four more presentations will be given by the company. This evening "Julius Caesar" will again be staged.

RETURN OP JOHN D. O'HARA. j Messrs. U. C. Williamson, Ltd., an-, nounce a return visit, which is to commence at His Majesty's Theatre next Tuesday, August 2, of John D. O'Hara in a comedy season, which will include "Three Wise Fools," and "Welcome Stranger," with Jules Jordan. " Three Wise Fools " has been received very enthusiastically in Australia. A prominent Sydney critic writes :—" Mr. John D. O'Hara, who was given a rousing reception, takes the leading part as the crusty and cantankerous banker, and is capably supported by Mr. Sydney Sterling as the professional physiologist, and Frederick Esmelton as the judge. These three, with their whimsicalities and eccentricities provide a wealth of good-natured humour and merriment, so that the audience was in a pleasant and delighted mood riglrt from the rising of the curtain to the fall in the final act. Miss Dorothy Seacombe,' as the ward, • performed her part throughout with distinctive success, and showed much dramatic talent in the painful scenes following the belief of her guardian that she was an accomplice of the man sworn to murder the judge. As a lover, Mr. Robert Toms showed appreciation of his* part. Miss Marian Marcus Clarke, as the housekeeper for the three fools, acted her part with a natural grace and dignity eminently suitable for the demands made on her temper by the three cranks, more especially the banker, whose testiness of character and dullness of outlook were made the most of by (John D. O'Hara. The story was provocative of laughter throughout, and the most was made of the many humorous and ridiculous situations by the three wise fools, with the result that they produced so much humour that the audience simply could not fail to be delighted. The box plans op*n for the first six nights on Friday next at Lewis Eady's. . THE " VICE-REGALS." Fresh from most successful seasons in Melbourne and Hobart, the "Vice-Regals," a _ versatile combination, of entertainers, will make their first appearance in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening. The company, which is under the direction of Mr. Victor Beck, consists of 20 performers, all of whom are staled to %6 accomplished 'artists. Abundance of humour will be provided by Messrs. G. P. Hanna, Will Crawford, Johnnie Marks, and Norman French, who are comedians of high standing. A feature of the programme will be the items rendered by the " Vice-Regal" male quartette, Messrs Robert Pearce, Laslett Exton, Roy Simp•son, and Chris. Kilner, who possess cultivated voices of rare quality. Other male vocalists include Messrs. Herbert Munyard, Charles Southey, and Roy Turner. The success of the company's entertainments in Australia has been due in no small measure, it is said, to the efforts of Miss Rosa D'Arcy, dramatic soprano, Miss Hilda Meadows,- a charming soubrette, Miss Minnie Dennie, a talented pianiste, and Miss Jessie Meadows, a delightful comedienne. Concerted items, prominent among which are sketches and amusing burlesques, are a feature of the company'? repertoire. The " Vice Regals" are said to excel in these little plays, the characters being strikingly drawn and depicted with unusual skill The box plan is at Lewis Eady's

"AS YOU LDXE IT." An excellent presentation of "As You Like It " was given in St. Sepulchre's Parish Hall last evening by the Auckland Shakespearean players, before a crowded house, the company being composed of Mr. Thomas Harris and hia pupils. The part of Orlando was taken by Mr. J. Mackle, that of Touchstone by Mr. T. Harris, and that of Jaquers by Mr. J. F. Wells. Mr. Harris acted with distinction, and his singing was particularly good, and the speech "All the World's a Stage" was given by Mr. Wells iD splendid style. Rosalind was played by Miss B. Battersby and Celia by Miss Bell, who exhibited unusual talent for amateurs. The play was thoroughly well dressed, the costumes beine true to the period. The proceeds are in aid of St. Sepulchre's G-uild and Club funds. MUNICIPAL CHOm. Items will be sung by the Municipal Choir in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Organ works will be rendered by the city organist, Mr. Manghan Barnett. DRAMATIC RECITAL. The costume recitai by Mrs. Arthur Griffiths and students takes place to-night in the Town Hall concert chamber. A special feature of the entertainment will ,be the allegorical play, " Twilight in i Every Girl's Garden." An old English comedy and an Oriental monodrama wi|l also be presented. Miss Natalina McCaJ- ; lum will sing, " Mia Piccirelln" and " The Wren," and Mr. James Hutton will act as accompanist. The box plan is with Lewis R. Eady.