“THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 8

“THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR”

SHAKESPEARE’S JOYOUS FARCE "The Merry Wives of Windsor,” a comedy by AVilliam Shakespeare. Cast: Sir John Falstaff Mr. Allan Wilkie Shallow Mr. Vincent Scully Slender Mr. Hamilton llenry p orc l Mr. Robert . Purdie Pa„ o " Mr. Felix Bland Fenton"".’.”. Mr. Leslie Manners Dr. Gaius Mr. J. Rov Workman Sir Hugh Evans...Mr J Plumpton Wilson Host of tho Garter Inn Mr. Augustus Neville p i!ito l Mr. Jack Lennon ", Mr. William I-ockhart Bardolph Mr. Fred Macdonald Robin . ...." Miss Vera St. John Simnlo Mr. Eric Donald Ru'-br ’/ Mr. Arthur Goodsail Anne Page ,Te ?. sic a J?/* 1 ? Dame Quickly Miss Jane King Mistress Page Miss Lorna Forbes Mistress Ford Miss Hunter-Watts

U — Mt. Allan Wilkie, who is visiting Wellington again with the Shakespearean plays, opened his season on Monday with the greatest of the tragedies. Last night, in vivid contrast, he presented the most mirthful of the comedies. “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is sheer joyous farce, rich in incident and mellow with memories of Merrio England. Tradition has it that this play was written at the express desire of Queen Elizabeth, who wished to see Falstaff in love. It seems, at any rate, to have been the last of the Falstaffian comedies. It paints tho fat, whimsical old rascal in the most revealing colours, and throughout its scenes Shakespeare gives free rein to his astonishing facility for humorous delineation. The bard, of course, had too true a touch to present Falstaff as being in love with i nybody outside the circumference of his own ample belt. The purses of tho husbands, not the persons of Mistresses Ford and Page, were the charms that beguiled Sir John into tho soiled liuen basket, tho ancient dame’s dress and the fairy ring, and that provided the fun-loving ladies with their, opportunities to “ ’leave a proof by that which we do, "Wives mav lie merry, and honest, too.” .Mr. Wilkie'took tho part of Falstaff last night, and he played it worthily. In* appearance, movement, and gesture lie maintained most admirably the familiar features of the character, and his treatment of the lines was almost entirely satisfactory. He might have strengthened his efforts in . certain passages by being a little more boisterous, but if he erred in this respect it was on the right side.’ The infectious Falstaffian chuckle was his, and he depicted delightfully the agitated bewilderment of Sir Jojm in tho perils into which he is drawn by the teasing dames. The final scene, with its grouping of gay' children and laiighing folk round the philosophic old sinner, was truly excellent. Miss HunterWatts, as Mistress Ford, gave a thoroughly capable interpretation, and was ably supported by Miss I-orna Forbes as Mistress Page. TheSe two players made the most of the merry wives. Mr. Robert Purdie presented, on uncommonly good characterisation of Ford, the jealous husband, and Mr. Felix Bland was culet-, ly effective as the more [trustful Page. The host of the Garter Inn was cleverly presented by Mr. Augustus Neville, while Mr. J. Roy Workman/did excellent work as the excitable Dr. Cains. Mr. Vincent Scully had the part of Shallow, the country justice who, is said to have satirised the Warwickshire magnate whose strong objection to poachers was the immediate cause of Shakespeare’s departure from his native village and entrance upon the London stage. Those ragged and thieving ruffians, Pistol, Nym and Bardolph, were characterised succesfully by Messrs. Jack Lennon, William Lockhart, and Fred Macdonald. Again Mr. Wilkie relied to a considerable extent upon . curtains in place of acenes, but it is safe to say that the play lost nothing by its comparative independence of the scene-painter. Perhaps the best tribute that can be paid to Mr. Wilkie and the members of his, company is to say that their organisation is strong, enough io present the plays as the author usetl to present them. The audience was not as large as it should have been, but the people, who had braved the weather were well rewarded, and they showed their appreciation most heartily. To-night Mr. Wilkie 'will present "Twelfth Night.” to he followed to-mor-row by "The Merchant of Venice,” and on Friday By "Macbeth.”