“HAMLET” IN LONDON.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 15 (Supplement)

“HAMLET” IN LONDON.

JOHN GIELGUD’S PERFORMANCE. BEST FOR YEARS. With a courage all playgoers must quickly reward, John Gielgud gave distinction to this otherwise dull season by reviving "Hamlet" at the New Theatre, says a London paper. Shakespeare rarely creates such 'high excitement nowadays. Applause broke out at every opportunity, and was well deserved by a performance which is the most splendid we have seen not only this year but for several years. It is the glory of the stage to-day.

A New “Hamlet.”

While free from any displays of cleverness and full of traditional dignity, It Is a new “Hamlet”—distinct from the “Hamlet" Mr Gjelgud acted in the- “Old Vic" production some years ago.

It might be objected that he makes of Hamlet another portrait in his successive studies of embittered youth, and there Is some truth in the oritioi-sm. On the other hand, when here we see an actor of an age in keeping with Shakespeare’s conception, who could bring such vital force to bear on his task? Hero is the student prince of Elsinore, That in itself is a virtue. But it is only the beginning of Mr Gielgud’s (undeniably great achievement.- ( You watoh him hypnotised by the awful dilemma of his soul. If his performance were analysed in the leisurely manner of criticism of years gone by it would be found full of “beauties."

Alas, we must leave the many vivid glimpses into Hamlet’s torment undescribed, for there are others in the cast to praise.

A Magnificent King. Frank Vosper, though utterly unlike the Claudius he acted in modern dress, is magnificent as the king. The Horatio of Jack Hawkins, far removed from the Mr Hawkins of modern plays, is another individual effort of no little merit. , The queen of Laura Cowie, though distractingly Oriental In appearance, is arresting. Polonius, we dare assert, was never better than in George Howe’s midgetly pompous impersonation. Richard Ainley atlraots attention as Rosenoratz favourably. In Jessica Tandy we may detect a modern intelligence which Ophelia could not reasonably possess if we judge her by her actions. Still, we are not repelled. It is a fault we must expect in 1034. All told, the virtues rtf Ibis revival so outweigh any shortcomings that the critic’s verdict must ho "Soe this if there Is any love of drama in your soul."