MR. ALLAN WILKIE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 16 November 1927, Page 4

MR. ALLAN WILKIE

RECEPTION OF SHAKESPEARE.

GREAT ACTOR PRAISES N.Z. AUDIENCES.

A SPECIAL INTERVIEW.

This morning a representative of the “Tribune’’ called on All’ Allan Wilkie, the distinguished Shakespearian actor, who was in the act of packing up in his suite of rooms in the Carlton Club Hotel preparatory to the company’s move to Napier, where to-night they give a performance of “Henry VIII.”

Asked how the people of New Zealand in general receive Shakespeare, Air, AVilkie was most enthusiastic in his eulogy of the good tast e of audiences throughout the whole extent of the country. He said that in spito of the temporary depression in trade, receipts throughout the present tour had been remarkable. In many towns he had easily exceeded all previous figures, and the consistent level of appreciation and attendance was iemarkable.

The company has been five months in New Zealand, he said, and has visited almost every town—ceitainly every one of importance—from Invercargill to Whangarei. This refers, of course, to the present tour only; for as is well known, Air. Wilkie’s' company has catered for many appreciative audiences in Australia and New Zealand for the past eleven years. The present visit wil] come to an end in about a week’s time for Mr Wilkie’s company has made it an invariable practice to spend Christmas in Hobart.

Regarding this town, the capital of Tasmania, with a population uf some 54,000. Air "Wilkie spoke with great appreciation. Wei] he might, when the interviewer learned that that township can take Shakespeare every evening for five weeks on end. Asked how the Hastings audience last night appeared to him during his splendid performance of “Twelfth Night,”. Mr. AVilkie was sincere in his praise of the audience. But for the unfortunate pre-engagement of the Municipal Theatre for a picture celled Don Juan,” he was certain that his company could have filled the auditorium fop a second evening The company appears to-night in for a P er ( orn ‘ d nce of “Henry \ 111., which will be succeeded tomorrow evening by “Hamlet.” In an unfortunate fire a year or two ago, Mr, Wilkie wag unfortunate to lose many of the company's props and costumes. But bv an interesting chance, he was able to procure the original “Cardinal Wolseley” costume worn by Herbert Tree, and as if bad become threadbare. he was further suceMsful in obtaining the “Cardinal Wolselev” costume that had been wor- by Sir Henry Irving. This h e will appear in a,t Napier to-night.

Visitors to the Hastings Municipal Theatre* last night "”i't have boon imnressed by Mr. Wilkie’s masterly “Mnlvolio,’’ and nls., bv th? m>noial excellence of the snlenr'i'Uv company as a whole. Where all did so well, it is difficult to make special mention, unless it Ire of the fine performance by the jester.