DRAMATIC RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 21, 20 October 1920, Page 3

DRAMATIC RECITAL

BY MI!. A, STANLEY WARWICK. Wellington is fortunate in that Mr. \. Stanley Warwick has pitched his f|>nt here for a season, for [his gentleman showed last evening in the Concert Cham, her that he has something to give that is worth tho having. Comparisons aiv odious, and it is not intended to make any., Suffice it to .say that Mr. Warwick tins many of the virtues—and so many are needed—that go to make up an elocutionist. Many are called but few are chot'.n —he is one of the few. That is to say, that Mr. Warwick more than interests— his touch is sure, his style is easy and natural, and there is a ring of sincerity about his work that phases. Moreover, he has that rarest of all attributes, repose. It counts for so much, and is . possessed by so few, Hi« voice is on the light side, and his range of tone limited, but his methods fit his personality, and therein lies success. Last evMiing he tocited "The liallnd of Reading Gaol," one of the final works of Oscar Wilde. It is a livid picture of tho torture of a highly emotional «oul in prison, put on the rack by having pointed out to him a man in tlie next exorci?!. yard who "is going to swing," How true, was Mr. Warwick's art. in the simple earnestness of the recital, was testified to by the manner ho gripped and held his audience. He made every moment of the twenty.minutes the ballad occupied vital with interor,t. Mr. Warwick happily revived that superb gem of Emilc Canininerts (the Belgian poet). "Carillon." an anthem of pride that glories in the valour of his country when faced with a ficcd of stark horror and Wood. Sir Edward Elgar has written beautiful music tn this uoeni, and in the hands of Mr. Harold Whittle it rang true. Mr. Albert Chev.v Ut, actor, noet. singer, wrote mostly for himself, and his types of characters from tVv poorer stratus of English life'wore portraitures of fame. Mr. Warwick did "The Wovkhou'i. Man" moiH>lngii\ anil, whilst being verv good, hardly plumbed the full depth of oitin'Me misery of the old man who is in "TTi« houf-e," and is onlv permitted to sr<> his aged wife (also an inmate) at stated times. IV also re.cited Pemb'-rton's "The Story of a Miniatr.re," "Butterflies" (his own fantasy). "TV'" BeM of Wives" (humorous), and "In'the Cell" (Morton). ' Tln> vocalist of the eviiinsr was Mi.« Elsie Kell, who set hor?i»H :i difficult task in .selecting the ultra-fiord aria, "I.na Yree." from Tt<v=«ini's "The Barber.nl Seville" Whilst the Weal intricacy curbed .wniowhat th<" natural beauty o her tone, thev served to dispbv good techniciue nnd command. She also san;; verv e.Vurninglv the. "One Fine Day,, aria from Puccini's "Madam Ruttcrlly. The real pnnshiiin of her voice wn= < wnlnved to tho greatest advantage, in Ihe core balbuls, "Bmk of Dav hindersool and "The Call of Mayt.me" Brer; . both of which .wen. interpretoill wi b charm and vivacity. Mr. Harold Whitlk accompanied. ... There will be a second recita I hi* evMiing. wi-ien Mr. Warwick will aKam recite "Tho Ballad of Heading Gaol.