"HAMLET."

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2873, 11 September 1916, Page 3

"HAMLET."

BY THE ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY "Hamlet," a tragedy, by William Shakespeare. Cast:— Hamlet Mr. Allan Wilkio Claudius Mr. Vivian Edwards Horatio '. Mr. Henri Doro Polonius Mr-. Edward Landor Laertes Mr. Walter Hunt Rosencrantz Mr. Bentley Russell Guildenstern Mr. Waltor Plinge Osric Mr. David Bolbridgo A Priest —• Mr. Ronald Henley Mnrcellus • ¥j: Fl ' e <J Pa J, e r Bernardo Mr. William Forsytho Francisco '. Mr. Henry Bedford Ghost of Hamlet Mr. Fred Kelioe Ist Player -Mr. John Caye 2nd Player y '';. p - T V - H M S. 3rd Player r>. Miss Jane Scott Ist Gravedigger Mr. John Cans 2nd Gravedigger ... Mr. Ernest Cummins Messenger ... Miss Emma Paul Plover "Queen Miss Elwyn Harvey Gertrude, Miss Valentine Sydney Ophelia... Miss Frediswycle Hunter-Watts

"We of the English-speaking world mo.v well bo proud of our Shakespeare, tile greatest, figure in the history of literature. His influence grows Hronger tho further we arc remote from his time, and his power is felt throughout tho nations. Keener interest is shorrn in hie work than ever before. He has more readers, and there 'are more productions of his plays than in the pa-st. There will always be an audience for Shakespeare, adequately presented. I look forward to the lime when both in Great Britain «nd America there will be mnnicipul theatres which will foster tho productions of Shaltospcare'e plays, for tho educational influence of the higher drama- i* at last being realised by the people."—Sir Johnston Forbes-Robert-son.

It is perhaps more by luck than by good management that 'we are being afforded the opportnnity of witnessing a vory good selection from tho plays of Shakespeare in this the year of the centenary of the Bard's death. This event has stirred anew the whole world to a deeper realisation of the profound wisdom, wit,. and wonder that lie redundant in these plays, and which have given their illustrious author a majestical pre-eminence among the plav'- % wrights of all time. Mr. Allan Wilkio happened to be in Australia, and, having played the repertoire in England, engaged Mr. Gcbrgo Marlow in a project to produce some of the Bard's plays at modorate prices of admission. After successful seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, the company opened here on Saturday evening beforo a largo audience in "Hamlet," probably the greatest tragedy ever written, though on that point, as on every point concerning Shakespeare, there are differences of opinion. Sophisticated went doubtingly to the Grand Opera House on Saturday, but, without exception, they remained interested throughout, and' came away with a Tesnect, not unmingled with admiration, for Mr. Wilkio .and his players. The performance on the whole was a sound one, and in places was remarkably good. Mr. Wilkie, without possessing that divine afflatus that is given to the very few, was an interesting Hamlet, and one entirely without mannerisms. Of graceful carriage and easymannered, he was always in the picture. His style inclines- to the robust and melodramatic, his broad methods being assisted by a full round voice, effective over a good range, i To bo critical, his inflections aro not always true, and he has a' trick of accentuating his aspirates, and stressing prepositions where there is no -need, but such slight defects are not serious, were he to use his big voice better in colouring the beautiful soliloquies. "To be or not to -bo, he recited almost m a monotone, whilst seated gazing jnto the fire, whose red lights lit up his features admirably. Ho ivas much better in the scene where Hamlet flays himself for being a laggard in his revengo ("0, what a rogue and peasant slave am I"). Mr. Wilkio was excellent in expression and acting m the scenes.with Polonius and the players, but reached tho topmost bent of his powers in tho famous play scene, m which he showed fine dramatic power. The scone is arranged on' traditional lines, but as the mock murder is played Hamlet not only wriggles towards the King in his excitement, but advances to the throne, repeating the lines of Lucianus, louder and louder until ho shrieks them into tho ears of the wilting King, 'and as the latter calls for lights, and panic-strickon, leaves tho throve, Hamlet, in, an ecstasy of triumph at the success of his ruse, tears tho sheets of tho play in a frenzy and throws them into the air. Eight through this scene -Mr. Wilkie held the audience fascinated, and the solid applause that followed was his right and'due. Thore were places where the actor's lack of subtloty and delicacy of vocal nuance meant a depreciation in histrionic values, but, measnring-tho performance completely, Mr. Wilkie's easily understandable Hamlet is well worth seeing. There were no two opinions about the Ophelia of Miss Frcdiswyde Hunter-Watfe. HeTe were delicacy, re-» finement, and rare intelligence in the: happiest relation. In the mad scene sho was exquisitely pathetic. Never once was there any straining for effect, and her gentility .and sjveetness in her 6cenes with Hamlet were part of a charming realisation of a difficult role. Among the other performers, the Polonius of Mr. Edward Landor • was a capital bit of clever mummery,- and Mr. Vivian EdWards had plenty of weight and circumstance as King Claudius. The asthmatical tones of Mr. Henri Doro, as Horatio, made him .ineffectual. The Ghost's long speech was finely intoned by Mr. Fred 'Kehoe. Delivered from tho back of the stage, every word came round and free to the back wall of the theatre. Mis 3 Valentino Sydney and Miss Elwyn Harvey were well placed "as the Queen and Player Queen respectively. Two parts that were played with admirable spirit and unction were the First Player and the .First 'Gravedigger, by Mr. John Cave (formerly better known under another name). The dressing was traditional, and the scenery was sidenuate, merely. "Hamlet" will be plaved tonight and to-morrow right. On Wednesday, the company will he seen in "Tho Merchant of Venice," with Mr. Wilkie as Shylock. and Miss Hunter-Watts as PoTtia.