“HAMLET” PLAYED WHERE SET.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20254, 24 July 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

“HAMLET” PLAYED WHERE SET.

AN UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE AT ELSINORE. Actors from the Shakespearean Theatre, the “Old Vio.”, in London, performed “Hamlet” at the castle of Kronlborg In the Danish town of Elsinore, where Shakespeare laid the plot of the drama. The picture shows the duel between Laertes and Hamlet. In the middle Lawrence Oliver, portraying Prince Hamlet, is seen with his arm raised. Behind him are Horatio and Laertes. At right on the platform the King and Queen are seen.

ELSINORE, June 5. “ Hamlet ” In Elsinore I It is difficult to imagine a more felicitous idea than to present the great tragedy in Its original setting. Last week the fond project was carried out by the Old Vic. Company In conjunction with the Danish Tourist Association and the municipality of Elsinore. The Prince of Denmark trod the battlements of the ancient Kronberg Castle, and a thrill went through the glorious courtyard when Bernardo spoke the famous opening words 44 Who’s there?” and a greater thrill when Hamlet made his first appearance. Laurenoe' Olivier Is the first Englishman to play Hamlet in Denmark. During the last few years half a dozen Danish and foreign actors have been seen in the part, but the universal opinion is that Mr Olivier is the best. He has greatly Improved his performance since the first night at the Old Vic. earlier in the year. Perhaps the inspiring surroundings of Elsinore and the “ nipping ” and 44 eager air ” in the majestic courtyard, with the sun tip-

> ping the green copper spires of the castle, put him on his mettle. He has never acted better. His Hamlet is quick, highly intelligent and instinct with passion. There is charming tenderness behind some of the scenes j and, what is more important, finer appreciation of the poetry of the part. Mr Olivier’s is a young, live Hamlet, who Is perplexed by youth’s eternal problems. A Graceful Ophoila. Vivien Leigh, who is playing Ophelia for the first time, brings grace and an exquisite wistfulness to the oharaoter. The mad scene, which she rehearsed only once before the opening (and then in a rainstorm), is the most moving in its beauty. John Abbot’s Claudius is reasonable and lighter in texture than usual —almost the last j word in urbanity. In Dorothy Dix 1 there is a superb Gertrude, and George I Howe finds a wealth of humour in Polonius, Shakespeare’s portrait of a ; bore. | Torin Thatcher as the Ghost, Leo Genn (a fine, upstanding, honest j Horatio), Anthony Quayle as Laertes,

and Frederick Bennett as the First Player stand out splendidly in the production. A special word of praise must go to the Danish Cadets and the local women who acted as supers on the occasion and gave life and colour to the crowd scenes. The greatest tribute of all must go to Tyrone Guthrie, the Old Vic. producer, who worked like a trojan, with an interpreter, against the elemental odds of the weather to get them into shape. In the artificial light towards the end the massed effects on the crowd scenes will remain among one’s enduring memories. Audience Entranced. An audience of 1800 people sat entranced for over three and a half hours on Thursday night. There was certainly a 44 nipping air," yet only three or four left before the end. When the final scene was enacted (and never, I imagine, has it been so impressively set) a roar of applause rose from the audience.