THE PLAY’S THE THING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 605, 6 March 1929, Page 15

THE PLAY’S THE THING

ALLAN WILKIE’S “HAMLET”

WELL-NURTURED PERFORMANCE

Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” a tragedy in tp, parts and 14 scenes, presented at His Majesty’s Theatre by Allan Wilkie. CAST clturinU Mr. Allan Wilkie Claudius Mr. John Cairns Polonius Mr. Arthur Keane Daei tes .. Mr. Alexander Marsh Horatio (friend of Hamlet) A Priest Mr - Herbert Sheldrick Mr. Vincent Scully fi rst Gravedigger . Mr. William Lockhart Gravedigger . Mr. Miles Hastings Ghost of Hamlet s Father 0 Mr. Milton Sands Miss Lorna Forbes Ophelia Miss Hunter-Watts

Probably there have been more experiments with “Hamlet” than with any other two of Shakespeare’s works. It has been played with every variety of costume and scenery from period dress in spectacular setting to modern clothes before severe black velvet draperies.

Even a modernisation of dialogue has been attempted by contemporary producers; and that is a grave liberty to take with the Bard and the greatest tragedy ever penned. Fortunately, however, Mr. Wilkie is a traditionalist. lie avoids any suggestion of bizarre novelty in his ‘‘.Hamlet” and, if anything, lays particular stress on the beauty and exceptional strength, of the verse. For the rest “the play’s the thing” and the mounting no more than a tasteful and adequate means to an end. But it must not be inferred that his latest production comes in dull attire. On the contrary, it is fresli and new in design, while there have been several embellishments of detail since the last Dominion tour.

The consistent use of rich drop-cur-tains to support the principal scenes again made possible a smootlily-com-plete presentation. If there were to be a critical plea it would be for quietness backstage during certain scenes.

Undoubtedly the feature of last evening’s “Hamlet” was the worth of the cast. In many respects it was the same as before, but there were several changes; and these to the general good.

We have learned to admire and enjoy Mr. Wilkie’s picture of the Dane. It is not everyone who would leap from Shylock’s robe to Hamlet’s sombre doubelt in barely 24 hours. Mr. Wilkie was at his best in the dramatic finale to the first act. and the duel scene, while climax of tlie tragedy, was excellently handled. Miss Hunter-Watts’s Ophelia is one of her best dramatic studies and her “mad scene” last evening was as disturbingly convincing as ever. Mr. Arthur Keane was thoroughly satisfying in his previous role. Polonius’s homily could hardly be done more effectively. Mr. John Cairns and jMis* Lorna Forbes were especially welcome _in their old parts. Both are Shakespearion artists of polished worth. Mi*. Alexander Marsh, Mr. John L-om-eron Ml*. Milton Sands and Mr. William’ Lockhart were admirably cast. To-night: “Twelfth Night.”