SHAKESPEARE CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 14

SHAKESPEARE CLUB

“AS YOU LIKE IT M A PLEASING READING Selections from Shakespeare's comedy, “As You Like It,” were offered last night at a public reading by members of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club to a large audience. The selections were so made as to preserve continuity without the sacrifice of too much of the charming digressions which go far to make this play one of the firmest of favourites. Plays, however, vary in their suitability for this mode of presentation, and this confection of all young romance is among those which are less suitable; it calls for light and airy movement, and this it must be denied. The readers were, therefore, at some disadvantage, but, despite this, they captured something of the spirit of the characters in every case, and the result was a pleasant entertainment. As Rosalind and her “sweet coz ’ Celia, Mrs M. Skipworth and Miss V. Jefferson were the central figures and, from their first scene, they captured the attention of the audience, ably conveying the swift changes of itiooqs of these lovely creatures. As Orlando, Mr N. McKinlay commenced well, and apart from minor lapses such as an occasional lack of enthusiasm in his lover's rhapsodies, maintained this standard throughout. Mr J. W. Hayward's Touchstone was an amiable enough fool, and his scenes with the rustic Audrey, (Mrs E. J. Murray) were highly successful, the honours being evenly divided between the two. Mr. W. B. Quennell is a veteran at these performances, and, as usual, he made more of his slight part as the old servant, Adam, than did some who were mo-re generously provided for. Jacques’s famous soliloquy was spoke,n by Mr H. W. Hunter, who managed to impart some spontaneity to this passage which is “so full of quotations. The two dukes. Mr A. F. Lanyon and Mr R. Herbert, were both effective, and contrasted in princely dignity, but Mr B. E. Dickinson was rather pedestrian as Orlando's brother. The minor roles were taken by Miss S. V, Seelen (Phcebe), Messrs C. Howell (First Lord and Jacques de Boys). I. Templeton and D, C. Rose (Shepherds). S. E. Mee (Le Beau and William), and, as the page, Miss M. Eagar sang pleasingly the song. “It Was a Lover and His Lass.” Mrs L. Withers acted as the Chorus. During the interval Miss Dora Drake sang two numbers, “ Time You Old Gipsy Man,” by Bosley, and ‘Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind,” by Quilter, which were well received. The accompaniments were played, by Mrs Drake.