EXCELLENT RECITAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 773, 20 September 1929, Page 14

EXCELLENT RECITAL

EVENING WITH DENNIS BARRY CLASSIC AND MODERN i Few recitals have that charm of | intimacy and appeal to the intelii- | gence which were characteristic of last evening at the concert chamber. It was the first of a series to be given by Mr. Dennis Barry, formerly one of the most accomplished members .of Mr. Allan Wilkie’s Shakespearian Company. He is best remembered for his work in romantic roles, in j Shakespeare’s plays, but last evening j he made an excellent selection from ! the works of several of the best-known English authors. Mr. Barry's work is refreshing in its freedom from mannerism. He j has grace of appearance and good . gesture. His memory is faultless and j there is a delightful lack of effort which so often spoils any performance where the word ‘•recital** is used. Mr. Barry is also the possessor of a useful tenor voice. The range is limited, but lie uses it very carefully and with delightful effect, particularly in the Shakespearian songs. The programme was an ambitious one and one heard and saw Mr. Barry in every mood, from the grandeur of ; Shakespearian oration to the charm- ( ing humour of A. A. Milne and Stephen Leacock. The Prologue from “Henry VIII.” was followed by a bracket of three songs, “O Mistress Mine,” “Sigh No More, Ladies” and “Who is Sylvia.” Then came a selection from A. A. Milne and Oscar Wilde’s delightful fairy story “The Happy Prince,” which was excellently done. An Aesop fable, “The Goat Without a Beard,” concluded the first half of the programme. The oration from “Julius Caesar” was given with perfect direction and delivery and was free from that Shakespearian rant which is the bugbear of most students of the Bard. Stephen Leacock supplied the necessary balance for Housman’s j “Brother Wolf.” This last was per- | haps the least noticeable feature of : the evening’s entertainment. Another bracket of songs contained “■Lithuanian * Song” (Chopin), “An Eriskay Love Lilt,” “Eleanore” and “O Flower of All the ’World.” Miss Margot St. Lawrence Toner played the accompaniments sympathetically and assisted with several solos. Her interpretation of a Scriabin prelude and a prelude by Maurice Besley were good. Altogether it was a delightful evening and one worthy of greater support. The stage was charmingly set and no curtain rose and fell to spoil the effect.

Mr. Barry will give another recital this evening and on Saturday.