“THE TEMPEST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 180, 20 October 1927, Page 17

“THE TEMPEST”

SHAKESPEARE AT HIS BEST

“The Tempest,” a comedy by William Shakespeare. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by Allan Wilkie. Cast: Caliban Allan Wilkie Alonso Vincent Scully Sebastian John Cameron Prospero John Cairns Antonio .. .. • • •. Herbert Sheldriclc Ferdinand Dennis Barry Trinculo Arthur Keane Stephano .. .. •• •• •• Milton Sands Ariel Dulcie Cherry j r j s .. Lorna Forbes Ceres* Marjorie Carr j U no Noel Seaton Miranda Miss Hunter-Watts “My ending is despair,” says the man Shakespeare in “The Tempest.” But what a man, to produce such a masterpiece when he was sad and broken and ready to retire to Stratford-on-Avon. “Where “Every third thought shall be my grave.” “The Tempest” is acknowledged to be the last of Shakespeare’s great works. Gone is the gaiety, and the sensuality, if you will, of the earlier and more virile poet. Some commentators will have it that “The Tempest” is only a copy of “As You Like It,” and that Shakespeare was no longer willing to discover a new plot for himself. _ . “The Tempest” is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, and as Frank Harris said of it, “His testament to the English people; in wisdom and high poetry a miracle.” Its two principal characters, Ariel and Caliban, are the poles of liis genius—Ariel a more charming and spiritual creation than any other poet has ever attempted. Then there is Prospero’s speech to Ferdinand, which touches the highest beauty of poetry: “These our actors . . _ As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air; We are such stuff As dreams are made of; and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, lam vex d. Bear with my weakness; my old brain is

troubled; . _ .. Be not disturbed with my infirmity. This seems to be Shakespeare himself speaking—Shakespeare telling the world of his feelings at the time., The characters of "The Tempest, if one excepts Ariel and Caliban, are rather bloodless, but the whole theme is beautifully romantic. It is an extremely difficult thing to stage, hut once more Mr. Wilkie has succeeded, and another audience paid him due tribute. . , The ship-wreck was admirably conveyed by a bright, swinging lantern on a darkened stage, with the players providing the necessary confusion. A stage presentation of the spirit Ariel is another difficulty, hut it was done as reasonably as possible. The comic relief from the bespotted Stephano and Trinculo is dull stuff and far behind the comedy of Shakespeare s earlier works. Mr. Wilkie gave us a virile, tishdevouring. snarling Caliban. He invested the strange character with a certain amount of nobility. Miss Cherry was a graceful, lovely fairy figure, so lovely, in fact, that one did libt wish to deny her her visibility. Her voice is young and fresh and beautifully expressed the spirit of the sons of freedom. Miss Hunter-Watts is called upon to play a part which lacks much opportunity to display her skill, but she made a charming figure ot one of Shakespeare's most virginal women. Mr. Barry made as much as possible of another thin cliai'acter. The love scenes ot “The Tempest” have no fire in them. Mr. Cairns gave a splendid performance of Prospero. dignified and noble—a man who forgives his enemies. Mr. Sands is rather too tottery in displaying a drunken character. Messrs. Keane, Cameron. Scully and Sheldrick played smaller roles with due regard to their value. "As You Like It" will be produced this evening.

Sir Harry Lauder, the famous Scottish comedian, has started work on his first motion picture, "Huntingtower." This production, which is being made in Scotland by the producing company of Welsh-Fearson and which will be released as a Paramount picture, will give Sir Harry plenty of opportunities to display the peculiar talents which have made him famous all over the world.