ALEXANDER WATSON

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17997, 16 April 1930, Page 6

ALEXANDER WATSON

A MASTER ELOCUTIONIST. RECITAL A DELIGHT. It was gratifying to find such a large audience, including parties from several schools, at 'the recital given in the Theatre Royal last night by Mr Alexander Watson, the English platform celebrity. The programme covered.a wide field in English literature, and besides being very entertaining was an education in the art of elocution, and must have been an inspiration to the students present. Mr Watson-paints the picture so vividly, and his English is so perfect and so free from the affectations which many people consider the hallmark of culture, that his work is a delight. Especially striking is the lilt that he gets into some of the verse.

Last night’s programme opened witn the Forum Scene from “ Julius Caesar" (Shakespeare), familiar of course but always impressive, and particularly stirring as presented by Mr Watson. An episode from “ The Little Minister” (J. M. Barrie) followed, telling of the minister’s encounter with the Strange Woman and the riot that followed. Rudyard Kipling was represented by “ The Ballad of the Bolivar,” ” Mandalay,” “ The Bell Buoy,” and “ The Married Man," each delivered with a full sense of values.

“ Mr Winkle on the Ice ” and “ Mr Pickwick in the Water,” from “ The Pickwick Papers” (Dickens), amused the audience greatly. Nothing that Mr Watson did gave more pleasure than the delightful litie bits from Milne’s “When We were Very Young” and “Now We Are Six;” the quaint words and appealing rhythm received perfect treatment,. The programme closed with Mark Twain s “ Punch, Brothers, Punch ” —truly described as a nightmare ! The amusing yet terrible effect of getting a jingle “"on the brain ” was exemplified very tellingly.

Those who heard Mr Walson lastnight will hope that the announcement that this is his farewell tour of New fa aot cxtcraci.