WILKIE AS “MACBETH”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 185, 26 October 1927, Page 15

WILKIE AS “MACBETH”

A GREAT TRAGEDY “Macbeth,” a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by Allan Wilkie. CAST: • Macbeth Allan Wilkie Duncan Vincent Scully Malcolm Dennis Barry Banquo Prank Clelow Macduff John Cairns Lennox Herbert Sheldrick Ross Milton Sands Monteith Alan Rankin Fleance Dulcie Cherry First Witch Arthur Keane Second Witch Glen Liston Third Witch Noel Seaton Lady Macduff Lorna Forbes Gentlewoman Mona Duval Lady Macbeth Miss Hunter Watts “Macbeth” belongs to the topmost height of Shakespeare’s achievement. In many ways it resembles “Hamlet,” although it is a “Hamlet” in totally different circumstances. Shakespeare’s heroes were all great men. He seemed to insist on that. In each of his tragedies a noble figure, the centre of the play, is overcome by calamity and inevitably dies. Plot does not seem to matter —the principal theme was the exploitation of character. So it is in “Macbeth.” Although critics have written that “Macbeth” was ambitious, fear really seems to have been the reason for his coldblooded murders. In explanation of this Frank Harris says that “Shakespeare took the history of Macbeth from Holinshed’s Chronicle, and there it is recorded that Macbeth murdered Banquo and many others as well as Macduff’s wife and children. Shakespeare first created Macbeth in his own image—gentle, bookish and irresolute —and then found himself fettered by the historical fact that Macbeth murdered Banquo and the rest. He was therefore forced to explain in some way or other why his Macbeth strode from crime to crime.”

Lady Macbeth is almost as great a figure as her husband. Her ambition steels Macbeth for the first “bloody deed,” and then again and again, when he *is faltering with fear she saves the situation and tries to shame him into stern resolve, but he is “quite unmann’d in folly.” The death of Macbeth’s Queen wrings from him a speech which is Shakespeare as the incomparable lyric poet: To-morrow and to-morrow, and tomorrow. on this petty pace from day To the last syllable of recorded time: And all our yesterday’s have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Mr. Wilkie gives us a very sound interpretation of Shakespeare’s great “hero.” He portrays the man of arms

with dignity, then Chis irresolution and doubt of action when the murder of Duncan is contemplated. The periods of remorse and fear were admirably suggested, particularly the scene were Banquo’s ghost appears.

Miss Hunter Watts, Allan Wilkie whose voice seems as Macbeth better suited to tragedy than to comedy, j gave a noteworthy performance. Her tragic ambition was splendidly acted,

and the scenes in which she urged hei I husband to perform the murder anc | later to cover his guilt were among th* | finest in the play. | The other characters are insignifij cant compared with Macbeth and hi? lady, but they call for good work. Mr ClewloXv played the noble Banquo wit! liis usual thoughtfulness and ability | Air. Cairns presented a warlike Mar ! duff. Miss Forbes had only a litth i time in which to prove her worth as ar 1 excellent Shakespearean actress. Th* three witches were a bloodcurdling crew, and moaned their incantation? eerily. Air. Barry, Air. Scully, Air i Sands, Air. Sheldrick. Aliss Cherry ar.< la host of others gave excellent charac- | ter studies. i “Julius Caesar” will be played this 1 evening.

Clara Horton has been added to the cast ot* “Sailor Izzy Murphy.’ whirn Warners will produce with George sel as star. Miss Horton will play the second feminine le •1. the first b‘*mg assigned to Audrey Ferris.