"HAMLET"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 120, 7 February 1918, Page 3

"HAMLET"

RECITAL BY PROFESSOR THOS. C. TRUEBLOOD. Professor Thomas C. Trueblood, Professor of Oratory at tho Michigan University, U.S.A., interested a small audience at the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium last evening by giving a discursivo recital of "Hamlet," the greatest of all Shakespeare's tragedies. The visitor stated explanatorily that much of what lie would say would be obvious to Shakespearens, but he wished to interest the youngest present. On those lines the speaker set out tho narrative of the play and recited many of the scenes in a calm, impassive manner, which gave small histrionic signilicance to the characters or vividness to the scenes. One could not but admire the deep reverence that the visitor displayed for the play, and in particular for the character of Hamlet, in whom was embodied all the virtues of an into'lectual, and whose life subsequent to the murder of his father was 'ft struggle between his intellect and Ins heart. There are many who would not go all the way with the Professor in his analysis of the character. Professor Trueblood delivered the soliloquies with intelligent placidity, but made comparatively little pretence to rise to any dramatic heights where opportunity served. His effort may ho summed up as a sweet'y sympathetic discourse for students at the dawn of Shakespearean understanding; At the conclusion of the recital, Sir Robert Stout, in moving a vote of thanks to Professor Trueblood, expressed the plcasuro he had given those present. The vote was carried with acclamation. This evening, in the Y.M.C.A. gvmliasium, Professor Trueblood will deliver another discourse, the subject being the play "Ingomar," which was translated from the German by Mrs. Lovell half a century ago. Tliis play was played in New Zealand on one occasion by Miss Nance O'Neill, and later by Miss Janet Waldorf, both compatriots of the visitor.