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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 11. June 26, 1952

Aeschylus Under Review

Aeschylus Under Review

On the night of the 17th I, in company with some forty others, fought my way through the teeth of a gale to the Little Theatre where "Prometheus Bound" was to be read, and as far as possible.

The curtains parted to reveal John McCrcary clad in a rod robe, tied with chains to a wooden support re-presenting the rock, where he remained until the end an hour later. He spoke his lines convincingly, with an ease suggesting much experience of stage work. He was in fact, the mainstay of the production. His greatest support was forthcoming from the chorus who read fluently and as a body, the shorter speeches of the chorus being taken by individuals. '

D. G. Simmers, as Occanus, attacked his part with enthusiasm, but his wildly shaking hands and deliberate hesitancies at the beginnings of speeches detracted from his per formance. The high-pitched even-toned voice of 10. played by Peggy Thom became rather monotonous, and the cry of woe was such as to provoke subdued laughter from the audience. Of the remainder of the cast, G. D. Brough, as Hermes, was most pleasing. His appearance in something looking like a baseball cap brought back memories of a voice saying. "And this of course is Hermes, we recognise him by his traveller's hat."

Unfortunately, the concluding speech by Prometheus Just before he la devoured by an earthquake, was completely lost on the audience, which was laughing in a less subdued manner at the unconvincing attempt to produce thunder and lightning. The failure of the curtain to close as soon as the speech was [unclear: fin-] ished did not do much to improve matters either.

J.F.W.