J.T.C. Notes

rendered conventional greeting superfluous ; and J. E. Thompson's acting seldom fell below this high standard. There were moments when we felt that his lines would run away with him, but it is greatly to his credit that he managed to retrieve the situation. He moved with great dignity, and carried off with splendid assurance such difficult scenes as the Banquet and the Sleep-walking.

P. G. R. Dench as Duncan made the part seem delightfully easy to play. He had that dignity and kindliness which increases our horror at his murder. G. Long's Macduff had a vigour and uncompromising decision which contrasted well with the vacillations and moods of Macbeth, whilst Banquo, the other foil to Macbeth, was admirably played by G. E. K. Reynolds. It is a difficult part—the suspicion of Macbeth's motives, half-concealed, halfexpressed, his hopes that the promises made to him may also be realised, and at the same time, his determination to do nothing to realise them, and the beauty of such lines as: " There's husbandry in heaven,

Their candles are all out . . . " All this was well expressed. W. H. Ping supplied the comic relief of the important " Knocking " scene. The parts of Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain (D. H. Denholm and R. S. F. Webber) were cut considerably, as was that of Fleance (J. D. Taylor-Thompson). Webber also played Lady Macbeth's Gentlewoman, and J. A. Denison doubled the Sergeant and the Doctor. All these, and Ross (A. C. Brown). Seyton (J. D. Bulmer) and Lennox (G. D. Smith) were well played, especially in the Banquet scene, which calls for such great care on the part of producer and actors. The Murderers (D. G. Middleton and R. R. L. Pryer) were a villainous pair, and C. A. F. Cookson, by his convincing playing of the messenger, contributed appreciably to the later scenes.

The Witches (W. P. Anelay, G. M. Smith, P. Hodgson) deserve special mention. They were well-chosen, and carried their responsibilities well. Their gibberish seemed to mean something to them, and Anelay spoke his lines especially well. They were a fearsome sight in the semi-darkness, but their appearance at the final curtain showed the real cleverness of their make-up.

The play was produced without a curtain as in Shakespeare's own day, and the very beautiful set was designed and built by Mr. Fawcett and his assistants. Its dignity and simplicity heightened the atmosphere of the play and the skilful use of lighting added to the effectiveness of the Witches and the " Show of Kings."