LADY MACBETH AS A MODERN VAMP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18380, 4 February 1928, Page 4

LADY MACBETH AS A MODERN VAMP.

“ RESTLESS WOMAN WITH NATURE OF - A VIPER.” LONDON. December 9 Early in 192 S Ladv Macbeth will be seen in London in modern clothes, play'ed as if Shakespeare had created her as a vamp for Hollywood, in Sir Barry Jackson’s repertory season at the Court Theatre. It will be remembered that Sir Barry Jackson produced at the Kingsway Theatre. “ Hamlet ” in modern dress, in which the Prince wore plus fours. Mr Bland, of the Birmingham Repertory* Company*, told a Press representative yesterday* that it had not yet been decided who is to play* Lady' Macbeth. " The season will consist of a series of five plays,” he said. “ Each will run for exactly four weeks, whether it is a success or a failure. “On January 7 ‘Mr Prohack ’ will be transferred elsewhere, and on January 9 we shall open with 4 The Adding Machine,’ by' Elmer Rice, in a futurist setting. This will be followed by ‘ Macbeth,’ Shaw’s * Back to Methuselah.’ Tennyson’s poetic drama ‘Harold,’ and finally 4 The Taming of the Shrew,’ also in modern dress. “ Nature of a Viper.” “ Hamlet. ” in modern dress ran for eleven weeks. Some weeks ago Sir Barr> r ’s producer, Mr H. K. Ayliff, gave “ The Taming of the Shrew ” in modern dress in America, and it was very successful. Sir Barry* Jackson believes that Lady Macbeth should be interpreted as a little restless woman, with the nature of a viper, ever ready to urge on her husband to difficult or evil Aeeds. One of the most recent Lady Macbeths in London was that of Miss Sybil Thorndike, who looked tall and haggard in the part. It is understood that a little woman will be given the part in Sir Barry* Jackson’s production. How Macbeth will be dressed is not. stated, but doubtless he will be able to appear in a kilt of not too barbaric a cut! Receiving a jet of water in his eye, Fireman O’Callaghan had to be given medical attention when fire destroyed a four-roomed, unoccupied, unfurnished house at the corner of Richmond Terrace and Bligh Street, New Brighton. The New Brighton Volunteer Brigade received a call at 1 a.m. yesterday. By' then the blaze had a fair hold and the brigade was able only to keep it in check. The fire broke out afresh at 4 a.m. and again at 5.45 a.m. The house, the two back rooms of which were gutted, is owned by Mrs J. C. Johnson, who is at present in Palmerston North. It is insured for £325 with the Commercial Union Insurance Company*.