SCENES FROM PLAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18407, 14 August 1931, Page 8

SCENES FROM PLAYS.

MR AND MRS ALLAN WILKIE. A DELIGHTFUL ENTERTAINMENT. No players arc better known on the Australian ami New Zealand stage than Mr Allan Wilkie and Miss Frcdiswydc Hunter-Watts. For year.they headed their own Shakespearean Company, and gained an enviable reputation for the excellence of then productions. They built up a repertoire of about 30 of Shakespeare’s plays, ami established a record for length of run not equalled anywhen else in the world. By their work lliej enabled thousands of people to gain an intimate knowledge of the gems of English literature, especially valuable being the knowledge disseminated amongst the children. There was widespread regret last year when Mr Wilkie, owing to the prevailing economic conditions, found it advis able to disband his company for a time. That regret is tempered a little by the fact that Mr Wilkie and Miss Hunter-Waits, having had the happy inspiration of presenting scenes from Shakespeare and the old English comedies, thus giving in one evening the essence of several great plays, are “carrying on.” This style of entertainment should make a wide appeal, interesting the ordinary playgoer as well as the student of Shakespeare. Last night Mr WilkH and Miss HunterWatts opened a Hamilton season at the Civic Theatre. Amongst the audience it was gratifying to see several parties from the schools; such a programme as was presented should bo an inspiration and an education to the young people. The items covered a wide range. The chorus from “Henry V..’’ delive--ed by Miss Hunter-Watts, made a very appropriate opening, and was followed I by “Before llarflour,’’ given impressively by Mr Wilkie. The highly dramatic Murder Scene and Sleepwalking Scone from “Macbeth” thrilled the audience, white the scene between ; Hubert and Arthur from “King John" was appealing in its pathos. In deI lightful contrast were the humorous cxc( rpts the Wooing Scene from “The Taming of the Shrew" and th' , Quarrel Scenes from “The School for I Scandal." These created much i amusement.

I The second part of the programme I was equally interesting and entertain- | ing. It included a scene between Brutus and Portia and "Mark Antony’s Oration" from “Julius Caesar." the • Gravedigger's Scene and a scene be- ; tween Hamlet and Ophelia from “Hamlet." and “The Seven Ages of Man" i and Epilogue from “As You Like It." ' The work of Mr Wilkie and Miss Hunter-Watts was of a high standard, and gave keen pleasure to the audi- ■ encc. To-night’s Programme. I An entire change of programme will 1 be presented to-night, including dramatic ami humorous scenes from "Henry VIII." “The Rivals." "Richa’d HI." •’She Stoops to Conquer. rim M« reliant of Venice.” and “Much A Io About Nothing."