FAY COMPTON SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23463, 30 March 1938, Page 7

FAY COMPTON SEASON

BOX PLANS OPEN THIS MORNING This morning at the D.I.C. at 9 o’clock the box plans will be opened for the season of the famous English, actress, Fay Compton, who, with her complete London company, will be presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., on Monday , night next at His Majesty’s Theatre in a gala performance of the world-famous comedy-drama, “ Victoria Regina,” which will be repeated on Tuesday and- Wednesday evenings and on Wednesday afternoon next. The box plans will also be opened for the three evening performances and the Saturday matinee presentation of London’s latest comedy triumph “ George and Margaret,” which is to b - staged on Thursday, April 7. and the two following evenings. Quite different from the talkingpicture version, the stage presentation of “ Victoria Regina,” has never failed to grip its audience in the simplicity of its human incident, and the spectacular and historical sweep o 1 that period, 1837-1897 'Tctoria, monarch and individual, becomes to us something very human in her love of the Princ* 3 Consort, in her contact with Disraeli ind 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.’' Strong even in this drama is that profound sense of personal devotion by the Queen for the Prince Consort who, in his comparatively brief lifetime, did not share with her that popular esteem which her Majesty so conspicuously inspirea “ The comedy talent of Miss Fay Compton,” wrote a critic recently, “ was exemplified delightfully in the Morning Glory scene, when Victoria gazes with wondei and fear at the sight of Albert shaving. Here it was apparent that in Miss Compton and Bruno Barnabe, the two principal characters were being magnificently portrayed In this scene and the bereavement 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 settirg within the garden tent at Balmoral in 1877 that 11 c Queen lived most vividly with the audience. Th 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 nreuared to receive Lord Beaconsfield (Disraeli) splendidly portrayed by Jack McNaughton. Altogther ‘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. Williamson, Ltd management.