HENRY VIII.

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 168, 6 October 1927, Page 17

HENRY VIII.

ALLAN WILKIE’S PRODUCTIONS The first of the Julian Wilkie Shakespearean productions, Henry VIII., concluded last night, and left a deep impression. Miss Hunter-Watts gave a true and sympathetic rendering of the tense and dramatic career of Queen Katharine, while Mr. Allan Wilkie ably portrayed the role of Cardinal Wolsey, whose ambitions proved his downfall. As Henry VIII., Mr. Frank Clewlow was excellent. Especially good was Mr. John Cairns as the Duke of Buckingham, his speech before his execution being a gem of the production. The whole play was lavishly presented and the costuming of the period was faithful to detail. The crowded house was delighted with the offering and did n<}t hesitate to show their appreciation. To-night Mr. Wilkie plays “Twelfth Night,” the most popular of the comedies, with not a single dull moment, and with romance treading upon uproarious comic situations. “Twelfth Night” has an irresistible appeal to young and old playgoers. The fantastic absurdities of the steward Malvolio, the adventures of Viola in masculine attire, the convivial comicalities of Sir Toby Belch and his boon companion Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the romance of the Duke Orsino and the Lady Olivia, the rogueries of Maria and merry quips of Feste the jester, contribute to a perfect evening’s entertainment. Tomorrow “The Merchant of Venice” will hold the stage, and on Saturday, for the first time in Auckland, the romantic drama., “The Winter’s Tale,” will be presented.