BRIGHT PERFORMANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1943, Page 2

BRIGHT PERFORMANCE

SHAKESPEARIAN MEDLEY WAIRARAPA COLLEGE PUPILS . ENTERTAIN. LIGHTING AND COSTUMING GOOD. “A Shakespearian Medley,” a delightful potpourri of well-known excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays, will bo presented by pupils of Wairarapa College in the College Assembly Hall tonight. Last night pupils of Solway College and St Matthew’s Collegiate Schoo] were the guests at a preview presentation. The programme is well up to the usual high standard associated with college productions and is well worth seeing. The costuming is richly colourful and is carefully in keeping with the period portrayed. The lighting effects are particularly good, especially for the “Witches’ Cauldron” in which extracts from Macbeth arc presented. The vivid lightning changes with a jet black foreground eive a realistic effect.

A bracket of songs, “Who is Sylvia?' and “Hark! the Lark,” are universal favourites which a well-arranged group sing with clear intonation. “This England,” which gives extracts from “Henry V” and “King John” is in keeping with the high standard set by all performers. The trial scene from “The Merchant of Venice” is a well-known act very ably presented. The ActingPrincipal, Mr F. J. Gair, gives a splendid and convincing characterisation of Shylock, filling a difficult role with professional ability. Again the stage effects and costuming is all that could be desired.

The second portion of the programme features Antony’s oration from “Julius Caesar,” another faithfully reproduced scene. A group of young ladies, artistically frocked, sing “I Know a Bank” and “Where the Bee Sucks.” The final item on a well-balanced programme is "A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in which four well acted scenes arc produced. All taking part acquitted themselves very well and the programme is bright and interesting enough to appeal to all tastes, particularly so to lovers of Shakespeare.