G.C. Miln’a Shakespearian Season.
HA.MLET, Those who attended ths Theatre Royal on Thursday evening had a treat of the highest intellectual order—indeed it is no exaggeration to say that no histrionio performance ever given in Gisborne exceeded in merit the performance of Hamlet by Mr Miln’s company. What surprises us most of all is that Hamlet was not put on the programme for the first night, for once the company had succeeded in making an impression like that it did on Thursday evening crowded houses would have been assured every remaining night of the season. There was naturally much curiosity on our part to see how Mr Miln would take the character of Hamlet, how when acting under the most vexatious difficulties and in the absence cf those accessories which would be available in any laige town—how in circumstances in some respects very disheartening the company would suceeel in producing a difficult play, and one which is seldom performed excepting before a critical audience. If the audienoa was not nearly es large as it should have been on Thursday night, it was of a high intellectual standard, and perhaps the most pleasing eight of all was to observe ths large number of young people whoso attention was throughout rivettad by the performance. We cordially agree with those critics who pronounce Mr Miln’s performance of Hamlat as immeasurably superior to that of any other actor who has attempted it in New Zealand. Hii scholarly reading of the character was made more manifest by the clever, the brilliant acting of it. All the passions of the “melancholy Dane’’ pere portrayed with wonderful effect—grief, lemper, and simulation of madness, consummate subtlety of character, and all the various shades of the part were depicted with wonderful skill and great intensity of feeling. It is not necessary to refer to particular portions of the play in a criticism ot Mr Miln’s Hamlet, for the part was sustained all through with the skill and scholarly finish with which that gentleman has proved himself to be gifted. In ths more tragic scenes ths audience evinced ths most intense interest, and at the conclusion of each scene there was loud and prolonged applause, and Mr Miln was repeatedly called before the curtain and accorded an ovation. The Queen was to have been played by Miss Bowman, but that lady was indisposed, and her part was taken by Miss Hamilton, who played the part exceedingly well, but the trying closet scene was taken for the Queen by Miss Kate Douglas, who had also taken the part of Ophelia. This lady is a charming actress, and the great strain of playing the two difficult characters was not made known by the accomplished manner in which it was done. Tile touching scones in which Ophelia takes a part were acted by Miss Douglas in a manner that thrilled the audience ; “ the poison of deep grief ” drew forth for her the pitying feelings of those present, and it seemed quite a delightful relief when the touching spectacles were completed and could be rewarded with the heartiest applause ; while the closet scene was portrayed with equally good finish. Miss Douglas also had to come before the curtain several times to receive the plaudits of the audience. Mr Kain took the character of Ghost with due solemnity and sepulchral tones. Mr Collet Dobson gave a powerful representation of the King, and Mr Montgomery was very pleasing in the character of Horatio. Mr Nunn was an excellent Laertes, though of course so far as depth of feeling was shown nearly all the attention was centrad upon Mr Miln and Mias Douglas. Polonius was ably represented by Mr Holman, and the part of Osric was nicely done by Miss Strathmore. Mr Cosgrove, as ths cheery grave digger, was very droll. All the other parts were well taken, and the audience hardly allowed an opportunity to pass without making nss of it to demonstrate their aporeciation. There were no vulgar interruptions ns on the previous evenings, and at times the dropping of a pin could have been heard. The difficulties in adjusting the scenery waro rather annoying on account of the noise, but this only served to show how admirably had been the acting under such circumstances. One great trouble which meets the managers of such companies is to judge of the peculiar taste of the people before whom the performance is to be made—each locality seems to have its special likings, in one place it may be Julius Cresar. in another the Merchant of Venice, in another Hamlet, and so on. Well it has certainly been manifested that Gisborne likes Hamlet—that is as played by an artist of Mr Miln’s ability—and we think it is to their credit. It is a play that one had much rather not see attempted bv unskilful hands, but as performed by Mr Miln, assisted by his able company, as we have already stated, it surpasses anything in the histrionic line previously produced in Gisborne. Those who delight in Shakespeare's works—is there a cultured person who does not ?—and who yet failed to witness Me Miln’s performance of Hamlet, have lost an opportunity which they may not again have in a lifetime. It is, we know, too much the practice now adays for newspapers to laud that which is undeserving of praise, so far as the Stage is concerned, but there can be no exaggeration of Mr Miln’s sterling merit ns Hamlet.
OTHELLO. The attendance last night was not up to what the greatness of the author’s name and the efficiency of the company deserved, but those who were present were rewarded with a great treat in Mr Miln’s representation of the * Honest lago,’ oh whose countenance the working of the various passions was cleverly depicted. Mr Dobson as Othello and Mr Montgomery as Cassio were also exceedingly good, while it goes without saying that Desdemona, as represented by Miss Kate Douglas, was a piece of acting that was greatly admired. The principals were well supported, and the whole performance was splendid, there being much enthusiasm shown by the
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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 479, 12 July 1890, Page 2
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1,018G.C. Miln’a Shakespearian Season. Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 479, 12 July 1890, Page 2
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