TRAGEDY OF “MACBETH’’

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 610, 12 March 1929, Page 15

TRAGEDY OF “MACBETH’’

SHAKESPEARIAN SEASON Granted by critics to be one of Shakespeare’s most potent dramas, “Macbeth” never fails to stir the imagination to visions of bloody deeds and exploits of rare courage. Its eerie tragedy fires the brain •with, grotesque fancy; its motive sickens the mind of the futility of human ambitions. The tragedy of Macbeth was played by Mr. Allan Wilkie and his company to an audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the Shakespearian season, which has been running for over a week, was continued. In the role of Macbeth, the powerlustful Scot, Mr. Allan Wilkie struck a strong note in the long cast, and opposite him Miss Hunter Watts filled

the part of Lady Macbeth. In th< sleep-walking scene, Miss Hunter Watts portrayed the conscience-stric ken woman very faithfully.

Mr. John Cairns, as the redoubtabl Macduff, was impressive from the cur tain-rise, and reached his best in hi vow of vengeance upon the slayer o his wife and children.

The three witches in the eerie blasted heath scenes were the most realistic feature of the performance, and their rasping prophesies echoed in the ears of the audience as well as in the memory of the superstitious and frightened Macbeth. Mr. Arthur Keane, Mr. Miles Hastings and Miss Mildred Howard filled these roles .well.

The effective staging of the Shakespearian plays by this company has been a happy feature of the season, and in the 2i scenes which were encompassed by the two acts in Macbeth. it was shown to what extent Mr. Wilkie is prepared to go to give a, faithful interpretation of England’s greatest playwright. This evening and to-morrow at tne matinee “Henry the Fifth” will be played, and at the evening session tomorrow the popular romantic play, “Romeo and Juliet” is to be presented.

John Mack Brown, one of the most promising of the young screen players, has signed a new contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with whom he has been affiliated since he abandoned his career as a football star. He recently completed the leading male role in Norma Shearer’s “A Lady of Chance,” and a prominent part in Greta Garbo’s “A Woman of Affairs.” Brown is considered to have one of the finest speaking voices in Hollywood, and the screen’s newest innovation, the “talkies.” offers a new outlet for his talents.