REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

“CLEOPATBA” TO-DAY The spectacular splendour of “Cleopatra” commencing at the Regent Theatre to-day, is equalled only by the thoughtful and striking character portrayalfl given by the leading actors and the featured players. To see the grandeur that was Rome, when the city, as a repubjic, had won dominion over the ancient world after centuries of warfare and sacrifice; to see the clash between the stern upholders of the old order and the ambitions of Caesar, from which the empire was to emerge; to see the over-ripe civilisation of Egypt and the luxury and magnificence of the cities of the Nile; to see all these things presented with unsparing realism and with the unlimited extravagance which such realism demands would in itself make for the utmost in enjoyable and interest. But the brilliant and thought-provok-ing characterisations of Cleopatra by Claudette Colbert, of Antony by Harry Wilcoxon, and of Caesar by Warren William add a dramatic interest to the picture which makes it not only enjoyable to play-lovers, but possessed of a rather piquant quality for those interested in the history of the times. A happy choice for the role of Cleopatra was made in Claudette Colbert. Tier slightness and her type of attractiveness, not easy to evaluate at first glance, accord well with the descriptions of Plutarch. Her compelling fascination is left to be expressed by her voice and manner; and in both she excels. Antony himself is acted with remarkable power and ability by Harry Wilcoxon, whose speech and gesture are admirable erpressions of the character of the man. Yet in some respects the portrayal of Caesar by Warren William is most interesting of all. Allowing for a certain emphasis on the spectacular side of the character, in keeping with the production, the acting is subtle and compels attention. The short and telling sketch of the chara'cter of Herod of Judaea by Joseph Schildkraut is a masterpiece in itself. Gertrude Michael as Calpurnai, Irving Pichel as Apollodorus, and, especially, C. Aubrey Smith as the fine old Roman Enobarbus, all act very well indeed. The spectacles, of course, are on a Scale hitherto unattompted; Cecil B. de Mille has excelled himself. The triumphal entry of Caesar into Rome, the barge scene, and the battle in which Antony was defeated by • Octavian are among the most magni ficent.