THE ASCHE-BRAYTON SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 157, 15 October 1912, Page 6

THE ASCHE-BRAYTON SEASON.

"TIIE TAMING OF THE SHREW." "Tho'Taming of tho Shrew,'' a comedy by William Shakespeare. Cast-.— BaptAstn Herbert Grimwood Vincentio i„ J. • Fritz Russell Ijucentio ;... Frederic Worlock Greuiio . Caleb Porter Hortensio {I. Lan Penny Petruchio Oscar Awhe Trawio It. 11. ljignett Biondello 11. F. Ausom Grumio . Arthur jTrautou Curtis .. Uossie Major A Podant Gordon llarker A Stoward ; George Bkillau A Tailor Alfred Brietowc A. Widow Olive Noble

Bianca ~' Elfrida-Clement Katharina, the . Shrew Lily Brayton

Though classed as one of the minor comedies of Shakespeare "The Taming of tho Shrew" has always enjoyed a certain popularity more because of its theme than

because of its merits as a work of consequence. It is-as popular with tho actor as with the public, for does it not givo a Shakespearean player, who may have been "fretting and strutting" in dire tragedy an admirable chance to display a talent for robust comedy in a character which appeals to all as closely akin to dominating man as Nature drew him, and the lady star who might have been weeping and wailing as poor distraught Ophelia or woeful pesdeinonii a chance to display tho splendid spirit latent behind all her travail? Only some three years ago Miss Margaret Anglin, a distinguished American actress, was seen as tho Shrew Katharina in -Australia to the Petruchio of Mr. Henry Kolker, and in New Zealand wo had Jliss Ola Humphreys as the curst wench. Last evening we had the pleasure' of seeing a performance of the comedy which quite succeeded in disturbing all former impressions. This-was effected in tho first placo bj- the adroit manner Mr. Asche has of sensing "atmosphere." Aided by choice scenery of novel design, clever lighting arrangements, and harmonious colour relations, ho gave us a touch of medieval Italy, which was just as faithful ill its way as that created of the East by devious methods in "Kismet." The other feature was the fitness of. the cast, and tho natural" smoothness of tho players' Shakespearean, diction. To crown all there were''the 'performances of Miss Lily Brayton and- Mr. Oscar Asche as Katharina and Petruchio respectively. Miss Brayton, who ■ had no great opportunities in the first play, came into her own last evening- in; a captivating performance of the vicious daughter of Baptista Minola. How did sho rave and storm?. What weight of scorn and turbulent passion broko from under those puckered black brows! She literally raged, stormed, bit and hit, in her contempt at tho idea of Petruchio's temerity in setting out to woo''her; and then, when starvation begins ■to bend her, with what pretty anguish 1 does she cry: — "What, did ho marry me to famish F. 0 /. .. 5 Drayton simulated with fine r l s Vv on ' c cunning-. Kale's comprehension or the only way in which peace lay in her submission to Petruchio's whim in t" e argument as to whether it is the sun or the moon which' lights their way, and Jl hearts by tho sweetness of her delivery of the pretty , speech which concludes the comedy. Petruchio had a capable exponent in. Sir; Oscar Asche, who makes a lusty, brawny wooer from old Verona. His virility, and physical exuberance, emphasised .by a head of glossy red hair and .a ruddy "make-up," fitted the role to a -nicety. Mr: Asche is very matter-of-fact and plain-sailing in his diction, and a.t. times, sacrificed a good' deal of comedy, to his desire to rattle on. He has yet. to convey those Qualities of absolute repose and-delicate subtlety that go to' make a great actor;; His version of the comedy cuts-much out. of the original cast, but there'ars.,cpnVpe'fisations, for Mr. Asche' has restored "the' induction, and. as Christopher Sly, the drunken tinker (bofore whom tho comedy which follows is supposed to be acted) gave, expression to a. characterisation right away from the man. The waking of the tinker, aa he lies swathed in fine linen, in a soented bed, heavy with rich hangings, has in itself a clover piece of counterfeiting—' his'rollings, and yawnings, his smacking of. parched lips restore, their native llV6ftture,. and in wliich he tests his bleary'eyes against the morning light, were all part of a capital bit of mumming. . Tho cast was very complete and satis-, factory. Mr. Herbert Grimwood made Baptista Minola a snappy, sliarp-tongued old chap, very far from the sore and yellow. His tendency to bite his. words infused some acid into tho part, which is not written in, and is a fault jn diction which at times makes Mr. Grimwood a littlo difficult to follow. It would be more difficult were it not that his intonation is'invariably'sound. No one on the stage speaks his Shakespeare better than Mr. Caleb Porter, who gives a delightful reading of the old . coxcomb Gromio—tho ancient dandy of Padua, who, with" failing legs, brain, and hair, would still woo the fair Bianca. Mr. Porter's "makeup" as'tho roue, his finnicky walk, and silly vanity, in conjunction ..with his excellent conversational delivery, singles his performance as ono' of tho best in tho play.' Mr. R. lan.Penny was not nearly so satisfactory as Hortensio. He sings what he should shy, and his inflections of voice are most peculiar. Mr. Frederic Worlock made a handsome Luccntic, and moved right .prettily. Tranio was safo with Mr. E. Rr Hignett, and Mr. R. F. Ansom played Biond-ello' on traditional lines. He was-inclined to > speak too rapidly the speech' announcing Petruchio s entrance in rags, and little of it Cduld be caught from tho front. Mr. Arthur Tranton was quite good as Grumio, and Mr. Harkcr showed gleams of comedy as the drunken pedant.' In the'little she had to do as Curtis, Miss Bessie Major was admirable,', and Miss Elfnda Clement acted Bianca with a modest comeliness befitting tho part.?

■ The scenery .and dresses arc part of an attractive colour scheme, wln'ch blend into a seres of delightful, pictures. Tho wine-shop scene-in Padua, with its exterior stairway and landings, and its many advertisements of the wines to be had within, was a novel of old Italy, and the final banquet scene, and succeeding dance were features of . the production tli.it gladdened the eye and pleased the artistic.sense. • The. orchestra, under Mr. F. Wynne Jones, -played Noel Johnson's pretty music 'under- a 'canopy of palm leaves, cool and graceful to the eye. "The Taming of the Shrew" will be played to-night and. to-morrow night, and on Thursday will give-place to "The Merchant of Venice."