LAUD TO SHAKESPEARE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 6

LAUD TO SHAKESPEARE

TERCENTENARY GALA

BRILLIANT SCENE AT THE TOWN HALL PAGEANT AND PLAY Not oven the turmoil and sorrows of tho greatest war of all times can disturb the lovo and reverenco of the intellectual world for Shakespeare and the mighty monuments of his literary genius, us proof whereof his memory is at the present.time being honoured the universo over on this tho tercentenary of his death. It was a happy thought that inspired a few enthusiasts in AVellington to arrange sonic tangible show of the supremo, estimation of the greatest poet and writer of this or any age. These efforts culminated last evening, when some forty or fifty clover and ingenious peoplo from amongst ourselves piesented for the delectation, of tho public a pageant followed by several of the most notable sccitcs from the plays of tho Master Dramatist'.. So general and particular has been tho acclamation of Shakespeare on this occasion that one may assume that the theory that Bacon and not Shakespeare wrote the plays and poems has received its-death-knock. There are still some peculiar people who adhere to the Bacon theory, believing that tho works were written by a man so ashamed of them that he concealed his name in a fantastic cryptogram which none of the groat poets,, authors, or commentators have, ever discovered, and which is intelligible only to thos3 whose powers of reasoning are logic-proof. It was Bacon himself who said: "Certainly the ablest men that ever were havo had all tho openness and frankness of dealing, and a name for certainty and veracity," and, as one writer put'it, "did not "jot down the litti© works of Shakespeare on tho sly, and hide their names behind criss-crosses and feo-fi-fo-fums." As to last evening's pageant and show, suffice it to say that it was cleverly, and artistically conceived 1 , and far exceeded tho expectations of almost every devotee of Shakespeare piesent in the Town Hall. After an overture of music calculated to creato the desired atmosphere, consisting of Edward German's dances from his "Henry VIII" music, and sweet-tuned garottes and minuets played by a capable little orchestra under the direction of Mr. Robert Parker, a brief and impressive oration on tho Bard was delivered by Sir John Findlay. That gentleman dwelt ill flowing periods on tho lowliness of Shakespeare's -parentage and upbringing, and recited tho few definite facts known of tho poet's obscure -boyhood and his marriage with Ann Hathaway when but IS years cf age. Traced what is known of liis early misdemeanours, his journey on foot from Stratford-on-Avon to London, and t-horo left him to erect thoso magnificent monuments of his genius which are our precious heritage and of those who come after us for all time.

After Sir John Findlay's interesting speech the blue-curtained stage was illumined by the entrance o£ t-lio spirit of the drama (Mrs. J. Hannah), and her minions, Phantasy (Lorna- Trengrove), Comedy (Ireno Marsh), and Tragedy (Kathleen Henessy), three tiny sprites whom the Spirit held in happy rein. After paying homage to the controlling spirit, the tjroup descended from tho stage to initiate the pageant, which was supplemented by a splendidly costumed procession of not-able Shakespearean characters, who from tno side entrance and paced tho aisles of the hall to tho chant of music. The characters represented in tho procession were as follow-Titauia (Miss Vera Pegg) and a full retinue of attendant elves: Helena and Ilermia. (Miss Cawler and Mrs. Sydney Tingeyij Miranda and Ariel (Elsie Strickland and Iris Inglesby), ■ Rosalind and Celia (Nancy and Marie Chambers), with Page (Miss Doris Symes), Olivia and - Viola (Mrs. J. Pear-ce and Miss Mabel Gallichan), with Pago (Lorna Ohapmau), Imogen (Mimi Bell), Mariana and Isabella (Mrs. F. , Blandford and Esther 'Hunter), with Page. (Miss Mavis (King), Perdita (Miss Lillian Potrie), Cleopatra (Miss Beryl Towhsend), with a train of attendants; Greek Girl (Iris Trim)', Juliet and Nurse (Dorothy Montgomery and Miss Carte), Dcsdemona (Miss Janie Potrie), and Lady Macbeth (Mrs. Maysmor). ' As each pair or group of characters reached the platform a few lines from the plays bearing 'on their personalities were recited from behind the curtain, and the suggestion of a scene was briefly and cleverly, done. In tho case of the "Measure for Measure" scene, little Miss Mavis King, as the page, sang "Take, Oh Take, Thoso Lips Away," very sweetly, aiul Miss Doris Symes sang the pastoral "Under tho Greenwood Tree" as Celia- and Rosalind wandered in fancy in the shady walks of tho Forest of Arden. Tho wealth of beautifully rich and deftly harmonised colouring of the costumes, and tho details in tho appanage of eaclrof tlig characters demanding such dignity was a feature that reflected infinite credit on designers and performers. .

But "the play's the thing," and being keyed up to pleasurable' anticipation the scenes which followed were almost without exception thoroughly enjoyed and extremely well done. Among tho best of them were the trial scene from "The Merchant of Venice," with Mr. J. Culford Bell as S'hylook and Miss Ethel Churchill as a very alert and beautiful Portia; tho wooing scene from "The. Taming of the Shrew, acted with freedom and abandon by Miss Mary Butler and Mr. Byron Brown; and tho orgy scene from "Twelfth Night,!' acted witli roysterous ease on traditional lines by Miss Mario Fix (Maria), Mr. Norman Aitken (Sir Toby Belch), Mr. \Y. AV. Crawford as _ Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Mr. P. Williams as Malvolio. Perhaps the most elaborato scene, was tho quarrel episodo between Titaniaand Oberon, from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." In neither case were tho protagonists well suited. ' There was no imperious dominance in Miss Betty Ptirdom's Oberon, and it was with difficulty that one could hoar tho Titauia's lines as spoken by Miss Vera I'egg. Tlio text is admittedly difficult, but for that reason alone clarity in enunciation to convey complete understanding is imperative. Tho opunsing battalions of fairies were capitally played by a bevy of pretty children, who had been well rehearsed in their manoeuvres.

Mr. J. M. Clark's Hamlet was a very solemn and gloomy Dane indeed. His voice is deep and richly melodious, but his elocutionary stylo had a rather soddening effect. Mr. Clark • recited tho "To be or not to be" soliloquy and tho succeeding scene with Miss Pctrie, who sang rather than spoke her lines 011 one note at tho top of her register. Mrs. I'. J. Nathan recited Queen Catherine's defence (from "Henry VIII") with ripe intelligence and a rare variety of expression. The chango from tho tones in which she pleads with the much-wived King, to the haughty scorn in which she addressed Cardinal Wolsey was marked with resourceful art. Miss Zila Chapman rocitod Prince Arthur's gruesome lines in hip scene with Hubert, but was mucfi too effeminate in speech, manner, and pose to suggest the boy. Miss Tlardinge-Maltby appeared to distinct advantage as Beatrice to tho Benedict of Mr. W. Rowell, '111 the church scene from "Much Ado About Nothing." and Mr. Sydney Tingoy cut- a manly figure iu tho role of Marc Antony, assumed for the purpose of declaiming the oration over Caesar's

body. Owing to tho lateness of the hour, Miss Paulino Brown was ljot heard as Miranda, in "Tlio Tempest." It would be advisable, perhaps, to omit still another item on the score of the length _of the programme. Credit is duo to Mrs. Hannah and Messrs. J. M. Clark," J. C. Bell, B. Brown, and K. K. Lyon for the good work accomplished in arranging this notable Shakespearean carnival, and it is hoped that the performances this and to-morrow evening -will be well attended, as tlio protits are to bo devoted to tlio lied Cross Fund. "