"JULIUS CÆSAR"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 14

"JULIUS CÆSAR"

SHAKESPEARE CLUB READING The public readings given by the Dunedin Shakespeare Club in the past have been marked by an intelligence of treatment of the various parts in the selected plays which has invested those roles, and the presentation of the plays themselves, with almost as much character as if the performances were given in full costume, and tnis was again the case in the club's reading of "Julius Caesar" before a large audience in His Majesty's Theatre last night. In such presentations gesture and movement must necessarily be somewhat limited, but the members who participated in the presentation last night used these aids to emphasis and inflexion with skill and insight and succeeded in giving a thoroughly enjoyable reading. Mr J. W. Hayward was well cast in the role of Caesar, presenting his lines in measured and thoughtful style, and making the most of his opportunities for dramatic interpretation. Mr H. W. Hunter, as Antony, Caesar's one staunch friend gave a distinctive and impressive reading of a part to which he is no stranger, his handling of the famous oration being a particularly fine piece of work. Gesture, inflexion, and declamatory force were used by him with excellent effect. The part of Brutus, Caesar's friend who is swayed by the suave, insidious Cassius into participation in the revolt against Csesar was read with understanding by the. Rev. C. H. Olds, who emphasised the inherent honesty of Brutus's character with marked insight, while Mr N. McKinlay, again playing the part of the " lean and hungry Cassius, the chief of the conspirators, infused a wealth of venom and intrigue into his reading, making the most of an extremely unsympathetic role. Mr M. Joel, as the blunt Casca, and Mr A. F. Lanyon, reading the parts of Marullus and Metullus, two of the conspirators, were both responsible for good studies, and Mr D. C. Rose combined the parts of Flavius and a soothsayer with good attention to interpretative effect. Mr F. P. Evans, as Pindarus, and again as one of several citizens, read with care and good expression, and Mr S. E. Mee was equally successful in his presentation of the part of Decius. Mr C. N B. French, as Octavius, one of the principal conspirators, read with good insight. Mrs L. Withers infused a wealth of dramatic feeling and appeal into her part as Portia, Brutus's wife, and Miss A. Hoseit also read with grace and attractive effect as Calpurnia, Caesar's wife. Miss F. Townsend had a small part as Lucius, and Mrs E. J. Murray was chorus, and Caesar's ghost. At an interval in the reading Miss Dorothy Mackay sang Bishop's " Should He Upbraid" with artistic expression.