The Two Gentlemen
[wo GENTLEMEN OF VERONA must be one of Shakespeare’s leastperformed plays, and that alone made it an interesting choice for the recent NZBS production (from 1YC). A deadlevel production did not allow it to appear a very exciting play; and ruthless cutting left not much more than the bones of the plot, and some, but not all, of the best poetry. I may have nodded at some point, but it seemed to me that even Launce and his dog had disappeared in the general scissoring; and this is surely one of the most endearing pieces of absurdity in all Shakespeare. To treat Shakespeare plays as stories is all very well for Classic Comics: the compilers of Scenes from Shakespeare were wiser in their generation, knowing that the story is often less important than the situation. It is no reflection on
a the competent cast to say that this production had little excitement. Yet, in fact, the play contains some delightful anticipations of the later comedies; and one feels that a refreshing performance, such as the Stratford company recently gave of As You Like It, might replace it in the category of stageworthy Shakespeare.
M. K.
J.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19530320.2.21.4
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 714, 20 March 1953, Page 10
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199The Two Gentlemen New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 714, 20 March 1953, Page 10
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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