"ROMEO AND JULIET"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2882, 21 September 1916, Page 3

"ROMEO AND JULIET"

1 ANOTHER SOUND PERFORMANCE "Romeo aud Juliet," a tragedy, by William Shakespeare-. Cast:— Mercutio -Mr. Allan Wilkie Paris Mr. David Belbridge Montague Mr. Walter Plinge Capulet Mr. Fred Kehoe Koineo Mr. Walter Hunt Benvolio Mr. Henry Dore Tybalt 31 v. Vivian Edwards Friar Lawrence ... Mr. Edward Landor Friar John Mr. Donald Henley Peter Mr. John Cavo llalthasar Miss Elwyn Harvey An -Apothecary ..-.- Mr. I'. V. Scully. Page to Paris Miss Elsie Bellew Lady Montague Miss Elwyn Harvey Lady Capulet ... Miss Valentine Sidney Nurse to Juliet Miss Ruth. Norreys Juliet .Miss E. Hunter-Watts As an epic in love tragedies, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" will bo played as long as the English language is spoken and the power of love exults even over death. That it is not played more often, not only here, but In other countries, is perhaps a reflection on the degenerate stage of the day, which turns with everUncroasiiig avidity to frivolous phases of theatrical entertainment, altogether opposed to the training of players in those delicate subtleties and profound emotional depths needed in the faithful exposition of such a tragody as "Romeo and Juliet." Being keenly aware of the trend noted, which may in some small measure be checked by tho universal revival of Shakespeare's plays in this tho year of tho tercentenary of his death, it was with'some foreboding that many visited the Grand Opera Honso last evening. Those.fears proved to be groundless, for again tho versatility of tho Allan Wilkie Company was demonstrated in a. very good performance of the wonderful old classic—notably good in several instances. The outstandings performance of the play, was the Juliet of Miss Frediswyde HunterWatts, .who, if she just falls short of encompassing that spiritual thrill that is the gift of the histrionic elect, is always remarkably intelligent, unstrained, and delicate in her work. One would have to search back a long way in our theatrical history to select a more thoroughly natural Juliet than sho presented last evening—probably as far back as Mrs. Brown-Potter, who mado a charming Juliet to tho ideal Koineo of the lato Mr. Kyrle Bellew. Sinco then we have seen Miss Hilda- Spoug, Miss Janet Waldorf, and Miss Tittell Brune in the part, none of whom wero so effective in every scone as last evening's exponent.' Then we were permitted to witness gleams of the great beauty and depth of Miss Ellen Terry's Juliet, probably the greatest of English-speaking actresses of tho latter generation', and a woman with a wonderful personality. Miss HunterWatts scores points in being able to look Juliet, her slim sylph-like figure, small, evcu features, aud girlish' poise aiding her intellectual attributes admirably. She was inclined to bo rather too selfpossessed in manner and measured in speech for tho love-sick maid of sixteen in tho balcony scene, but her acting in the comedy scene with the nurse, and in tho more dramatic scenes in her bedchamber with Romeo, and later still, whore, in a frenzy of tropidation before taking the drug that is to throw her into a death-like swoon, she was sincere and natural to a degree. Mr. Walter Hunt was a convincing and graceful Eomeo. He spoke the passionate lines with a fervour and clarity that wero admirable. Mr. Allan Wllkio was the Mercutio-j-a breezy, vital, and very human young blood, with very likeable features. Ho recited • tho famous "(Jueen Mab" speech 'with boisterous jocularity v rather than exerting thoso subtleties of expression that the speech offors. Needless to say it was grcoted. with tho traditional round of applause. Tybalt was played with forco and distinction by Mr. Vivian Edwards, and lir. Fred Kehoe raged with tine fury as Capulet; but Miss Elwyn Harvey looked much too youthful to bo tho mother of Romeo. Miss Valentino Sidney was inclined to be shrewish as Lady Capulet. Mr. Edward Landor spoko the 'friar's sententious lines with dignity and understanding. Tho Benvolio was Mr. Henri Dore; Paris fell to Mr. David Belbridge; Mr. John. Cave was inclined to burlosquo the r»lo of Peter; and Mis* Ruth Norreys was competent,as tho Nurse. The sotting of the tragedy was adennato in every way. "Romeo and Juliet" will be played again to-night and tomorrow night.