WILKIE AS SHYLOCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 170, 8 October 1927, Page 14

WILKIE AS SHYLOCK

“THE MERCHANT OF VENICE” PLAYED WITH UNDERSTANDING “The Merchant of Venice,” a comedy by William Shakespeare. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by Allan Wilkie. CAST r Shylock Allan Wilkie Duke of Venice .. William Lockhart Prince of Morocco .. . . Milton Sands Prince of Aragon .. Herbert Sheldrick Antonio . . . John Cairns Bassanio Dennis Barry Gratiano Frank Clewlow Lorenzo John Cameron Gobbo Arthur Keane Jessica Lorna Forbes Nerissa Dulcie Cherry Portia Miss Hunter Watts “The Merchant of Venice” belongs to the middle period of Shakespeare’s work and is remarkable for the dramatic strength and energy with which it is unfolded. It is perhaps the most familiar of the poet’s works, for every schoolchild has read or played it and every amateur company has performed it at some time or other.

Though the plot of “The Merchant” is fantastic and unoriginal, there are parts of it which are amazing in their dramatic construction. The best is the trial scene, where every line rises to a climax which has never yet been excelled by a dramatist. The crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening was still another tribute to Shakespeare’s memory and to Mr. Wilkie’s company. That here are undiscovered joys in the work of the greatest poet of all time there will be no denying; both young and old still marvel at the lovely language written when Elizabeth was Queen of England. Some critics have it that Antonio was Shakespeare himself, and that Portia’s speech in the trial scene was not really addressed to the Jew but to the Queen because of her condemnation of Essex. Shakespeare is known to have been a spendthrift, and, with the exception of the Jew, almost every character in “The Merchant” is too boundless in his generosity to have? been anything but satirical. This may have been done, however, to throw Shylock’s avarice into higher light. It has become the custom for English actors to try to turn Shylock into a hero, but some commentators maintain that this was not Shakespeare’s intention. Shakespeare always sympathised with failure. but in “The Merchant” he allows a gentleman to> insult the Jew after his defeat by Portia. This is the only instance in the poet’s plays where a beaten and

broken man is insulted; in every other instance he turns the sympathy of the audience to the broken character. Shylock is, of course, the dominating factor of the whole play. He dominates it from first to last, not because of a lack of intelligent players, but because of the author. All the other characters fade into comparative insignificance, though they are a comely lot of fellows. The women, too, are like mosl of Shakespeare’s women, too idealistic, particularly Portia. Once more we congratulate Mr. Wilkie on his artistic staging; of the play. The dignified settings display to the greatest possible advantage the brilliant clothes of the period. One never wishes to see again the clumsv stage scenery of the old presentations. There is something exquisitely beautiful about the incidental music .which is played for each scene. Of the players, one can say that they gave a performance of understanding and ability, even to the minor roles. Mr. Wilkie makes Shylock a figure of distinct tragedy. He emphasised the extreme pity of the Jew’s position, his furious hate of Antonio (which seemed to take in the whole of the Christian race), and his intense love for his daughter. He gave another excellent performance, and if one needs proof of his versatility one has only to remember his performances as Wolsey and Malvolio. There were times, perhaps, when he became just a little too declamatory. Miss Hunter Watts was at her best in the trial scene, for which her strong voice was admirablv suited. She played her part with fine vigour. Mr. Cairns gave us another excellent performance of the too noble merchant. Mr. Clewlow. splendid actor, gave us something real and lifelike. He has a fine presence and a fine delivery Mr. Keane is eminently suited to foolish roles and played Launcelot Gobbo with discrimination. Mr. Barry gave an afcle performance of an exacting role. Miss Forbes made a romantic figure, and with Mr. Cameron played her role perfectly. Miss Cherry has a flair for vivacious characters, and is always charming. Others who gave sound studies were Mr. Sands and Mr. Sheldrick.

There will be a return performance of “The Merchant.” This evening “The Winter’s Tale” will be presented.

Appearing in scenes reminiscent of the Spanish-American War is nothing new to George Bancroft, now a Paramount star. He served in the navy under Admiral Dewey during the real fray, and now in the picturisation of •The Rough Riders,” he follows Theodore Roosevelt’s impersonator. Frank Hopper, up the San Juan Hill. Mary Astor, Charles Farrell, Charles Emmett Mack and Noah Beery are also in the cast.