DRAMA OF REVOLT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20199, 8 March 1929, Page 14

DRAMA OF REVOLT.

STAGING OF " CORIOLANUS." WAR AND ASSASSINATION. Only once in a lifetime do lovers of Shakespere have the opportunity to see a performance of " Coriolanus." It is seldom staged, and as seldom read, although it contains some of the most vigorous action and colouring Shakespere ever put to paper. Moreover, it presents two of the greatest but least known of Shakcspcreati characters—the Roman warrior himself, and that amazing woman, Volumnia, his mother. All who saw the stirring performance of this rare play at His Majesty's Theatre last evening (one dares not speculate there are so few students of Shakespere in Auckland) must thank Mr. Allan Wilkie from the depths of their hearts for his inspired acting as Coriolanus. Whether his delivery of Shakespere's noble lines meets the pre conceived notions of every spectator or not, the fact remains that he is a great actor, capr.ble of putting his whole strength and soul into his work, of living the part he plays, and, what is clearly evident, firing those about him with a like enthusiasm. Mr. Wilkie's Roman Warrior. It was a joy to have an experience such as he gave last night. Caius Marcius, the Roman soldier, who nobly bears 25 wounds he has received in 17 battles, and is honoured with the surname Coriolanus, after the city he captured with indomitable bravery, is a role worthy of only the greatest actors. This unrelenting aristocrat, possessed by a deep-seated contempt for the mob, calling the rabble curs and " rogues," was, like many another tyrant, imbued with the qualities of high statesmanship. 'lhe Senate would make him Consul, but he could not persuade his proud nature to supplicate the votes of the people. By offending the tribunes he sowed the seeds of revolt, was banished, turned traitor in revenge, and was assassinated by a conspirator's sword, like Caesar 400 years later. This is robust material for the stage, and the action proved as exciting and absorbing as anyone could wish. Mi. Wilkie's rabble was not conspicuous for its numbers, but was violently \ocifeious and growled and muttered like an ominous obligato to the speeches in the forum. Here was insurrection in its ugliest mood. Mr. Wilkie stormed at the mob and flung scorpion jibes in the faces of the people. He cut such an overpowering figure that even one's most treasured democratic ideals withered away in admiration for so immense a man. After all, tyrants persist in holding the imagination like no humanitarian. Triumph for Miss Forbes. Next to Mr. Wilkie the honours went to Miss Lorna Forbes, whose Volumnia will live in the memories of all who sawit. Her graphic delineation of the Roman matron, urging her warrior son to deeds of greater gore and glory, seemed almost too overpowering, although her plaintive pleading in the last act, when she induces the vengeful Coriolanus to spare Rome, helped considerably to soften its harder outlines. It. is undoubtedly the most striking thing Miss Forbes has done during the season and leaves the spectator with a feeling of great respect fo" her histrionic powers. The interesting character of Menenins, with its blend of dignity and sly humour, was played with considerable success by Mr. John Cairns. Titus Lartius was in the excellent hands of Mr. Dennis Barry, Mr. Milton Sands played the general Cominius with appropriate valour, Mr. Arthur Keane, as the tribune Junius Brutus, could assume an ugly temper at times, Mr. William I.ockhart made a brave show as Sicenius, in the banishment scene, while Mr. Alexander Marsh as Tullus Aufidius proved to be a less redoubtable foe to Coriolanus than might have been expected. Miss Hunter-Watts acted with her sympathy in the somewhat overshadowed role of Virgilia, while Miss Mildred Howard was a graceful Valeria. There were several other notable performances, rather too numerous to mention, in the large cast, although an exception might be made of Miss Joyce Phillips as the boy Marcius. The company received warm recognition at the close of the. play. This evening there will be. a repeat performance of "The Merry Wives of Windsor." The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson. and Lady Alice Fergusson have intimated their intention to be present at the performance of "King Lear", next Thursday evening.