SHAKESPEARE CLUB READING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21641, 11 May 1932, Page 5

SHAKESPEARE CLUB READING

SELECTIONS FROM “ HENRY V ” GOOD PERFORMANCE BY MR H. W. HUNTER. " Henry V ” breathes too vigorously the spirit of war and combat to permit of the most effective and striking presentation of its drama on the stage. Not even “ the brightest heaven of invention.” even with “ a kingdom for a stage ” could interpret “ the swelling scene " or enable the players after the fashion of the warlike Harry adequately totassume “ the port of Mars.” For that reason, therefore, the play becomes a natural subject for the exceedingly competent and wellcast readings with which the Dunedin Shakespeare Club periodically entertains and instructs its members. Last night's reading was an instant success. As a recital of heroics and romantic and patriotic sentiments, to which the meanest heart responds involuntarily, it is a thrilling and inspiring piece of work, but in the final analysis it is words, words, words, words; no deeds, no actions; only the poetry of the stage in graphic lines of ten syllables each. That is why Mr H. W. Hunter required none, of the picturesque habiliments of the “king of good fellows,” none of the grim accoutrements of the warrior king to impress his audience with mental images of a soldier of soldiers, the conqueror of France who girded himself , with ambition, armed himself with archiepiscopal authority for his warring, and set' himself about the task of securing his doubtful title to the crown of England, the while he stretched' forth his hand to filch the throne of France. The rhetorical power of the lines, their grim and perfect sonority, their full-voiced magnificence and majestic harmony win all the battles that are fought, achieve all the exhortations, condemnations, and warnings to which the king gives tongue, and the result is a wordy harvest in which the skilful and intelligent reader may revel. Mr Hunter undoubtedly excelled himself, and was greatly assisted by a judicious selection of the lines read in making the mc«t of a play that will for all time be an almost inexhaustible source of splendid quotations. He boasted grandly, apostrophised impressively, and gave a rendering of that sorrowful condemnation of the Lords Scroop, Grey, and Cambridge on the detection of their, treason which was extremely satisfying. A good deal was expected of Mr Hunter, but he wasted not a single line, nor missed an opportunity of infusing into his interpretation some at least of the varying and intense emotion ‘which gives the drama its immortality. Mr J. Fleming’s Duke of Exeter was well presented, and Mr S. H. Osborn gave full power and effect to his lines in the roles of. Duke of Orleans, French Ambassador, and French herald. Mr F. J. Gair found plenty to say as the Earl of Cambridge and later as the King of France, but he acquitted himself with special distinction. Messrs Salmond and N. M'Kinlay, as Scroop and Grey, amV later as the Governor of Harfleur ana the Dauphin of France respectively, were less sure of themselves, but rendered valuable assistance. Mr D. E. Dali registered a good reading as Captain Fluellen, the garrulous Welshman, and Mr J. B. Flynn, as Pistol, and Mr R. H. Wilson, as Bardolph, and Mr W. B. Quennell, as Nym, were amusing enough. Mr Wilson’s voice scarcely did justice to the boasting about armour of the Constable of France, but he gave a very good account of himself otherwise. Miss B. Lazarus, as Queen Isabel of France, was well cast, and Miss I, Macßae, as Princess Katherine, made a well-deserved impression. Misses V. Jefferson and G. Johnson also did well. Mrs E. Murray provided the chorus and the prologue to act 1, and Miss L. Morton the prologues to acts 2 and 3, both of which she rendered with nice style and expression. Miss J. Hale was also well received in the prologues to acts 4 and 5. Mr J. Fleming was the chairman of the reading. During an interval between the selections from act 3 and act 4 Miss Mary Pratt sang Hullah’s "Three Fishers” in a manner which earned the instant and whole-hearted appreciation of a delighted house. Her second item, “It is Life,” was equally well done and no less heartily received.