FROCKS IN SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 3

FROCKS IN SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL

Very interesting and with some most charming colour effects and groupings was tho Shakespearean Festival, which was held in tho Town Hall last evening in commemoration of the tercentenary of the groat playwright and for the benefit of the Red Cross funds. Against tho background provided by tho stage, with its curtains of deep dull blue, white pillars and dark .green wings, thoy stood out admirably, and the only pity of it all was that tho stage was not big enough to allow the procession of tho pageant to take place there altogether instead of passing down ami up tho centre of the hall among tho people, where there is 110 background to set it off. That, however, by tho way. The'opening scene or group, in which Mrs. James Hannah as the Spirit of the Drama, with her three attendant figures of Tragedy, Comedy, and Phantasy, was very artistically carricd out, and set tho keynote for what was to follow. As tho Spirit of the Drama ■Mrs. Hannah wore a classic robe of silver tissue, over which was draped a violet toga, with a chequer-board edging. On her head was a wreath of gold oak leaves, and she carried a golden laurel wreath. Tragedy was in black filmy drapery, and Phantasy and Comedy, with their warm colouring, made a striking contrast. The three attendants were children, and were attached to the Spirit of the Drama by very long ribbon leashes. This was quite a beautiful group. Another charming one was tho group of Titania, with all her attendant elves and fairies. Titania was represented by Miss Vera Pegg, in whose drapery were combined tho softest shadings of blue, fading into one another, while on her head was a suggestion of the East in a tiny little headdress of blue fringe, finished with small upstanding pearl liorns. Oberon, who did not appear in the procession hut in ono of the scenes later, was a delightful figure in a i green suede jerkin, showing glimpses of a- golden coat underneath and green tights. He also'woro a small Eastern headdress, with small horns fastened with jewels. Puck was a fantastic ' littlo figuro (Miss Hazel Hardwicke), who appeared in a black velvet doublet opening over emerald green,, and emerald green tights, while from his little slashed velvet cap sprang a very tall upstanding tlamc-coloured feather,: that added to his generally impish appearance. The Cleopatra group was another liotablo feature of .the pageant, Miss Beryl Townsend making a commanding Cleopatra. Here, as might be imagined, there was a great' scope for colour effects, and tho deep Egyptian blue .was much in evidence. Cleopatra was a study in white and gold and blue, her draperies being fastened with Egyptian ornaments, with the royal blue headdress, while round her neck she wore the collar which was so general a feature of the Egyptian, whether he wero of royal or of very lowly degree. Jn tho case _of royalty, it was, needless to say, of jewels. Her attendants were all swarthy in colour, with dark eyes and skins, and wore tho picturesque dress which from illustrations was common in their time. The tiger skins gave a sumptuous and' Eastern effect, as did also the peacock fan carricd by an ( attendant. Lady Macbeth Was another very striking and effective figure, and woro the traditional white robe, with a draped purplo scarf worn, over head and shoulders, and finishing at the feet with blood red scarlet tassels. This was quite ono o£ tho most successful figures ■in the procession. In the various sccncs which Wero other striking and haiidsonio dresses were worn. Miss Mary Butler, as Katheriiie, in "Tho Taming of the Shrew," "ivorp. a ; gown "olN'sago green, and gold velvet, brocade ovor a yellow satin nnderdress,' the shoulders outlined with dark fur and j the winged sleeves, from which came'the tight-fit-ting sleeves proper. She wore a littlo yellow headdress. In .V'Much Ado About Nothing" Miss Maltby, who took tho part of Beatrice, woro a robo of heliotrope and silver, draped over an applo green aiid silver embroidered underskirt, with an Elizabethan ruffle, and fan.of apple green and silver. ~ln "Twelfth Night"' Miss Marie Fix, as •Maria,' was in a quaint ankle length dress of mulberry red with an Elizabethan neck ruff, cap, and apron of white linen. In "Queen Catherine' 6 Defence," Mrs. P. J. Nathan was a dignified figure in dark Violet velvet, opening over green brocade, and with very full brocaded sleeves. With this was worn a violet headdress, falling'in a. little peak over -each ear, and-many jewels on the bodice. Mrs. James Hannah designed the greater--'number, of the. dresses worn in tho pageant, and also arranged and stage managed the pageant.