ALLAN WILKIE GIVES SECOND PROGRAMME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 173, 23 July 1931, Page 3

ALLAN WILKIE GIVES SECOND PROGRAMME.

SHAKESPEAREAN RECITAL IS DESERVEDLY POPULAR.

Comedy and tragedy were judiciously in the second Shakespearean recital presented by Allan Wilkie last evening at the Radiant Hall. These recitals are proving deservedly popular as the audience, in two brief hours, is given much of the best in Shakespeare without the tedium of scenes that have little merit except that they are connecting links between different parts of the complete plays. Mr Wilkie was his inimitable self In all the varied parts he played, and his performance was what audiences have learned to expect from this gifted Interpreter of the greatest of English poets. Miss Hunter-Watts carried both tragedy and comedy with equal success. The emotional fervour of her work# In the Trial 'Scene from “ Henry VIII.” was outstanding. Professor Shelley again assisted and took the part of lago, in a scene from Othello, with considerable success. Another assisting artist was Miss Valerie Tennent, who played Emilia, in the scene from Othello. The jealousy scene from Othello the most important work of the no.v programme. Mr Wilkie gave a fine interpretation of the part of Othello—racked with jealousy and torn between love of his wife, and the poisonous suggestions of lago, the schemer. Professor Shelley did not seem quite sure of himself at the opening of the scene, but, as the schemes of lago developed, so lie seemed to gather confidence and his later work with Mr Wilkie was most enthusiastically received. Miss TCnnent took the part of Emilia with a natural charm.

Mr Wilkie, as Shylock in the borrowing scene from .“ The Merchant of Venice,” was also outstanding. This is one of Mr Wilkie’s favourite parts and he excelled in it. Another dramatic passage was the wooing scene from “Richard III.” Miss Hunter-Watts gave a magnificent performance as the scornful queen, unwillingly conciliated by the honeyed words of the evil king. The downfall of Wolsey, from “ Henry VIII.”. gave Mr Wilkie a further opportunity for a dramatic repre sentation. The agony of despair with which he received the news of his fall was admirably portrayed, and the climax was most impressive.

Goldsmith and Sheridan were represented in the comedy section of the programme. The Mrs Malaprop scene from “ The Rivals ” was most amusing and proved to be a triumph for Miss Hunter-Watts. A scene from “She Stoops to Conquer ” was also of a high standard. Miss Hunter-Watts carried all the burden of comedy in the scene between Portia and Nerissa from

” The Merchant of Venice.” She took both parts with ease and strikingly showed her versatility—playing tragedy and comedy in the space of a few minutes.