HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1172, 26 September 1912, Page 20

HIS MAJESTY’S.

iTHE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

A NOTABLE PRODUCTION.

“The Taming of the Shrew,’’ as presented by Mr Oscar Asche, is essentially a merry comedy, brimful of vim and animation. It is especially pleasing in that it affords great scope for Mr Asche to demonstrate his illimitable versatility in the portrayal of strong characterisations, and also because it gives Miss Lily Brayton the opportunity of stamping her charming individuality on a part that is exceedingly paradoxical, yet decidedly fascinating and inspiring. In the Induction Mr Asche gave a splendid study of a bulbous, drinksodden old rascal named Christopher Sly, who whilst in a drunken stupor was carried away, robed in noble sleeping attire and installed in a bed of regal splendour. His awakening was invested with a wealth of comic by-play that provoked the heartiest laughter and earned for the actor unstinted approbation. As Petruchio, Mr Asche gave a truly masterful impersonation of a most sanguine and egotistical gentleman, who was particularly vigorous without being unduly noisy. He look ed well, and his acting was full of temperament, Petruchio’s conquest over the unruly Kate being a victory of arrant good humour. Miss Lily Brayton certainly brought out all the shrewishness that Shakespeare invested Katharina with, and in such a way as to suggest reality instead of a creature of the poet’s imagination. Her picturing of “Kate the Curst” was in every sense delightful. First as a violent, sharp-ton-gued and untractable young woman of most wayward propensities, and later as a docile, bewitching and lovable, wife.

“The Taming of the Shrew” has a numerically strong cast, and uluch excellent work is done in the minor parts, which cannot be individually mentioned. However, a special word of praise is due to Mr Frederick Worlock, who as Lucentio, wooed and won Bianca, Katharina’s younger sister. His love-making was delightful. Mr Herbert Grimwood also portrayed the timorous but rapacious Baptista meritoriously, while quite a lot of humour was introduced by Mr R. F. Anson as the simple-witted and grotesque servant Biondello.

The staging of “The Taming of the Shrew” was a very pleasing feature of the notable production, and the dressing was excellent. Those who have not yet had an opportunity of seeing this highly-amusing Shakespearian play should not lose the opportunity of seeing it to-night (Thursday), because to-morrow evening it gives place to “The Merchant of Venice.” On Saturday afternoon a special matinee will be given of the last-mentioned play. On Monday and Tuesday “ The Merry Wives of Windsor” will be produced, and “Othello” will hold the bill until the close of the season at the end of next week.

“THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.” To-morrow night (Friday) “ The Merchant of Venice” goes up, with another presentation on Saturday night and a matinee. Mr Oscar Asche and Miss Lily Brayton have declared that no other of their productions has claimed more loving care or drawn upon their resources more strenuously than “The Merchant of Venice.” On the first night in Melbourne the “Argus” critic wrote: “Seated in the auditorium, filled by a gathering representative of all the culture of the Commonwealth, at Shy-

lock’s woeful erv, ‘Jessica, my child!’ one felt the whole assemblage draw their breath as the curtain fell in th? silence which comes over an overwrought audience.” Miss Lily Brayton’s “Portia” has been acclaimed in England and Australia as an ideal performance. “MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.” Falstaff’s love-making with Mistress Ford and Mistress Page—the “merry wives” —will give us another evidence of Mr Oscar Asche’s versatility. It is a play full of boisterous high spirits and broad healthy humour redolent of an age of sack. It is said that Queen Elizabeth was so vastly entertained by the Falstaff of Henry IV. that she bade Shakespeare depict the knight in love, and he wrote it at her command in a fortnight. Mr Asche is said to give a truly living portrait of the last old knight. “A delightful old rascal,” one critic wrote. The “Merry Wives” will be played on Monday and Tuesday next, to be replaced by tragedy on Wednesday.

“OTHELLO.” Mr Oscar Asche is physically suited to the part of Othello, and he also possesses all the mental attributes to opalify him to do justice to the great Shakesperian character. The keynote of the noble love-mad Moor is his nobility. He is a blunt, goodnatured soldier, and so simple that he is easily imposed upon in things unfamiliar to him or too subtle for his understanding. Mr Asche has been acclaimed by English critics as a great success in Othello who invests the part with dignity, vital strength,

and simple reality. His charming wife also is credited as being particularly well-endowed with the graceful talents to interpret the character of Desdemona-—beautiful, gentle, and appealing—a very plaything of the rough inscrutable Fates. Othello will be staged on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of next week. A special matinee will also be given of Othello on Saturday afternoon, October 5.