ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 172, 19 January 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MR. fir. B. IRVING IN "HAMLET." Although there was an excellent demand for seats when the plans were opened for Mr. H. B. Irving's production of 'Hamlet," which takes place on Monday night next, there are still seats in central positions which can be selected at Collier's. One of the features of Mr. Irving s conception of Hamlet is said to be his keen sense of humor that distinguishes the Dane and makes him less melancholy than other exponents of the part have made him. The Irving Hamlet, it is said, not infrequently smiles, and his manner, satirical at times though it I be, illumines the gloom of the production like rays of sunshine. Needless to say, this interpretation of the part is much more acceptable than the general renderings which have been inclined to make Hamlet so moody and melancholy, as to be more of a creature of imagination—an emblem of sorrow—than a human being. It is Mr. Irving's effort, it is said, to make Shakespeare's characters human. His production of Hamlet indicates this, it is stated, right through, for he does not regard it as a sacrilege to depart from the traditional rendering of the works of the great dramatist in order to make them more enjoyable, interesting and entertaining. But the spirit of Shakespeare is retained in every respect, and the lights and shades of the production were more pronounced. Miss Dorothea Baird is said to have completely captured Sydney audiences in the mad scenes, which are, it is stated, really plaintive, and not, as is customary, dragged out to wearying length. They have a pathetic grace of their own, and leave behind them, it is said, tender memories of the ill-fated loving creature. The scenery, mounting and dressing of "Hamlet" is said to bo a feature of the production, which is staged under the supervision of Mr, Irving. ' The sensational success achieved by Mr. Irving in Australia has been totally eclipsed by his New Zealand triumphs, and his season in Auckland has been remarkably successful . When the plans were first opened the whole of the seating accommodation was booked up for the first week, and it was difficult to obtain a seat at all subsequent performances and a number willingly paid 6s for the privilege of sitting in the back rows of the ordinary stalls, and others paid 3s 6d for admission to the gallery.