Word: violas
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...William Shakespeare are reputed ageless, most recent Shakespearean productions have been rigged out with modernistic settings, actors in mufti, sundry sensationalisms. In tune with her time, Jane Cowl has for her stage settings a huge book of Shakespeare which is unfolded to make various scenes. Her performance as Viola is lively, her grace and beauty are used to good effect. But Leon Quartermain gives the most worthy interpretation, bringing rich and affecting pathos and frustration to the difficult role of pompous Major Domo Malvolio...
Happily, the second act was much better. Miss Cowl as Viola strode about very bravely, and even if she did wave her hands about with her usual abandon, she was very pleasant. It is true that she was a thoroughly feminine Cesario, but she is so accomplished an actress that the distortion was unnoticed. Maria as played by Jessie Ralph was happily an oldish and slightly vulgar wench, and hence a very fitting companion for the raucous Sir Toby...
...minor refinements salubriously included in this production was a softening of the very sudden affection of Sebastian for the lovely Olivia. The picture of Olivia given to Viola is left upon a bench by that dissembling young lady from whence it is picked up by Sebastian and immediately the beauty of that lady (Olivia) arouses obvious amorous feelings. After this display of sighs and the attending languishing looks, what follows does not seem quite so impossible...
...houseparty at Chevron, the sprawling ancestral manor, comes Leonard Anquetil, polar explorer, the type of free intelligence beloved by H. G. Wells. Anquetil watches the "set" at play, but himself hangs aloof, speculating. He learns of the other guests' boudoir intrigues, all artfully manipulated by his hostess. Only in Viola and Sebastian, the children of the house, does he find the strength of noble heritage without the conventions of elegant social horseplay. The pair make excellent companions, and Sebastian leads his visitor in a scamper over Chevron's rooftops, in the course of which Anquetil saves him from slipping...
...Against his will he takes part in the coronation of George V. and Queen Mary, and during its wearisome ceremonies feels that his career as an individual is ended, his career as a peer commenced. Then outside the Abbey he abruptly encounters Anquetil, returned from the jungle to marry Viola on the strength of a six-year correspondence. Anquetil renews his invitation for an exploring expedition. Sebastian accepts. The story ends with an intimation that under the new monarch will come new manners, and the brilliant, flighty society that Sebastian is renouncing has nearly run its course...