A Shakespearean Evening

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 29, 1 February 1929, Page 2

A Shakespearean Evening

By Mr.

Allan

Wilkie

CB.E:

IN Sunday evening, February 10, a special Shakespearean evening is announced for 2YA, Wellington. Qn that oceasion listeners far and wide will be privileged to hear an address on Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist and poet of all time, by Mr. Allan Wilkie, O.B.H., the eminent Shakespearean actor. His Majesty the

King thought fit to honour Mr. Wilkie with the decoration of Commander of the British Empire in recognition of his unparallelled work in pro-

ducing Shakespearean }. ..3 ir Australia and New Zealand, year in a: year out, winning plaudits from press and public alike with his own brilliant attainmen and the admirable work of 1°. talented coipany. For eight years Mr. Wilkie has toured the Dominion and the Commonwealth with his Shakespearean Company, playing in every considerable tow in both eountries. During i at period Mr. Wilkic has produced no fewer than 26 of Shakespeare’s 37 plays, taking leading parts, i: company with Miss H -nter-., ..tts, his gifted leading lady, in each production. He has found his reward in the testimony of educational authorities, of the principals of schools, of the press, and of thousands of letters, that his work has been of the greatest value educationally to the rising generation, and culturally to the community as a whole. But for Mr. Wilkie’s produc-

tions Shakespeare would have been a dead letter in the theatre in Australia and New Zealand, except for isolated performances of one or two plays in the principal cities.

Mr ALLAN WILKEE has an abiding admira. tion for Shakespeare’s works, born of a deep study of the great dramatic genius in all his varied phases, in all his wonderful pageantry of HHHHABUNMNAHMRUMRABU HB AAN HITT MATIN M MNT nT TTT

words and philosophy. Herein lies the secret of Mr. Wilkie’s devotion to so exacting a task as the popularising of Shakespeare-an undertaking which he has carried ont to an extent which has

rendered his name imperishable in the annals or the stage in this quarter of the globe. "THE programme associated with Mr. Wilkie’s address on Shakespeare has been selected specially for the occasion, with due regard to its

appropriateness. Mr. Dennis Barry, the gifted young actor who has previously toured New Zealand: with Mr. Wilkie’s organisation, and who is possessed of a cultured, tuneful voice, will sing "O Mistress Mine" (from "Twelfth Night").

by Rodger Quilter, and "When That I ve a Tiny Little Boy" (from "Twelft’ Night"), a traditional song. He will be accompanied on the piano by Mr. Brad-shaw-Major, for several years musical director for Mr. Wilkie, with violin obligatos by Miss Godson, also a member of Mr. Wilkie’s orchestra. Mr. BradshawMajor (piano) and Miss Godson (violin) will also contribute "Henry the Highth Dances" suite (by Edward German). in two parts, "Barcarolle," from "The Merchant of Venice," and "Prelude No. 2" from "The Merchant of Venice" (by Sir F. Ross). LSO assisting on the programme will be Mr. Roy Hill (tenor), and Miss Mollie Fenton (contralto). Mr. Hill’s items will comprise three Shakespearean

songs: "Sigh No More, Ladies," "It ‘ was a Lover and His Lass, and "Who is Sylvia?’ Miss Fenton will sing "The Willow Song" from "Othello," "The Lawn is White a@~ Driven Snow," from the "Winter’s Tale," an

"Take, Oh, Take Those Lips Away," from "Measure for Measure.’ A brilliant selection of recorded music, written for Shakespeare’s plays will complete the programme.