LECTURE ON DICKENS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2402, 15 March 1900, Page 51

LECTURE ON DICKENS.

The Rev. Charles Clark gave his second lecture on Dickens at the Princess Theatre on Monday evening, and those who had the pleasure of listening to him were afforded, as usual, a great intellectual "and elocutionary treat. Mi Clark's eminent success as a lecturer is due to the fact that he possesses a highly musical voice, which he knows how to use to perfection ; and that he also combines with this a delightfully poetic fancy, a rare critical faculty, and the talelit of an actor. All these qualities were made abundantly evident in his lecture on Monday. For fully an hour and a-half he kept his audience thoroughly interested and amused, but so completely did he take them out of themselves that it is doubtful if anyone was aware of the flight of time ; indeed, when the lecturer ceased speaking many lingered in their seats, as if still under the spell of his voice. The dramatic recitals with which the lecture was illustrated were of a high order. In these recitals Mr Clark's talent as an actor stands him in good stead, and the vividness with which he succeeds in bringiug before the minds of his audience a scene described by his favourite author is, indeed, truly wonderful. The loud outbursts of applause which greeted each recital showed unmistakably how impressed were all present by the art of the lecturer, who himself seemed to enjoy the recitals as much as the audience. Not only was the humour of Dickens well brought out by Mr Clark, but the audience were also made fully alive to the deep pathos of the great writer. The recital of the passing away of Little Paul Dombey was the lecturer's first dramatic effort, and. it was an wholly admirable one. During the recital the smdience listened almost breathlessly — many, no doubt, with tears in their eyes, — but when the lecturer had concluded he was greeted with a perfect storm of applause. The other recitals were also exceedingly effective, and elicited enthusiastic demonstrations of approval.