AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16064, 21 November 1917, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

'•TURN TO THE RIGHT."

"Turn to the Bight," presented for tho first time to a Chnstchurch audience at the Theatre Royal last night, is simply melodrama, but whereas in the hands of some thoatrical combinations it could be ''murdored," in tho hafids of the clever Now Comedy Company, of Messrs J. and N. Tait, it was lifted out of the ordinary channels, and prov-

Ed ono of the sweetest little plays, full of laughter and tears, that a Christchurcii audiencc has had tlic pleasure of witnessing, and tm*y expressed their approval at frequent intervals in no uncertain manner.

The play is one of a type that has been popular in America tor soma years, briefly, it tells of tho reformation of two crooks, who- malio good on the "lovel," and incidentally they provide the strong comody element of tho play. -Much of the plot is of the conventional type of melodrama, but tho situation is never forced, and after -witnessing the performance of those presenting the piece, one can easily forgive a lot. Joe liascom, who is in love with the deacon's daughter, is spurned by tho deacon, and leaves his mother's homo to win fortune and a bride. He gets entangled on tho raco track, and finally is sent to prison, though an innocent man. In iSing Sing gaol ho makes tho acquaintance of two "birds," "Muggs" and "Gilly," and tho threo becomo close friends. When fro© from prison Joe refuses to join in tho schemes of his friends, and announces his intention of "going on tho level." Ho returns to his mother's home without her being awaro of his period in gaol, to find "tho littlo lady'' in tho grip of the local Shylock, tho deacon who had driven him from the village, and who is about to securo tho mother's plentiful orchard. Shortly after "Muggs" and "Gilly,' m some unaccountable fashion, appear upon tho scone, and aro charmed by tho angelic manner of Joe Bascom's mother, while "Muggs" at first sight falls in love with the sprightly daughter, and "Gilly" quickly Biiccumbs to tho graces of the daughter's friend. Bcconnng conversant "with the widow s position, tho two crooks rob tho deacon, in order to pay tho widow's debt to him, and then they buy tho peach crop from the widow, who believes that thov are her boy's business friends. Complications ensue, and Joe , sco ? ! V' "Muggs," and ''Gilly" a«r© facod with, awkward situations, but Fortune smiles upon them when least expected, all three, including tho. widow, within twelve months become independent, ir not vtpalthv, tho crooks !havo mado good on the lovel," and are criminals no more, whilst Joo Bascon has cleared his character and been able to ToveaL to his mother tho cause of his strange silence for so many months. Naturally all thrco win a bride, Joe, tho deacon s daughter, "Muggs,'' Betty Bascorn, and "Gilly." Betty Basoom's friend. "With such an all-round clever company, it is somewhat difficult to individualise, But undoubtedly much of the success of tho piece is duo to the work of Miss Margaret Calvert, as Mrs Bascom. The part is a difficult one to Oil, and in the hands of a poor interpreter could easily wreck tho whole play, but Miss Calvert repressed herself throughout, and came through a difficult task with colours flying. There could not be a sweeter mother than that portrayed by Miss Calvert. _As "Muggs" and <( Gilly," Mr John Junior and Mr Staploton Kent provided much of tho humorous element. _ Their work was convincing and finished, with never an attempt to force tho part-. It would bo hard indeed to find a more amusing crook than Mr Staplcton Kent's "Gilly." Mr Walter P. Richardson, as Joe Bascom, showed some excellent work, and a splendid portrayal of two Jewish pawnbrokers was given by Maurice Dudley and Mr L. Goldberg, in the prologue. Miss Lizetto Parkes made a winsome Betty Bascom. Miss France© Anderson looked equally sweet as Jessie Strong, whilst Miss Gwen Doris© capably filled the somewhat small part of Elsie Tillinger. Other parts were capably interpreted by Mr George Chalmers as Deacon Tillinger, Mr Vince T. J. Dennis as Sam Martin, Mr Gaston Mcrrvale as Jyester Morgan, Mr Carloton Stuart as Callahan and Miss Marie Colber as ] "Katio." 'M -usual, -frith J- and N. Tait productions, the scenery and mountings were excellent, and some very clever features' wore introduced into the final scene. "Turn to tho Right" will be repeated at tho Theatre Royal "this evening, and should have a very successful run. OPERA HOUSE. The current bill at the Opera House is one of the strongest and most varied that has been seen in local vaudeville for Eomo weeks past, and last night there was another largo and appreciative attendance. The musical monologues of Sidney Jones, "the Welsh Rarebit," and the sweet soprano voico of his partner, Agnes Raines, again made a most favourable impression on their audience, as did tho sketch presented by Blake and Granby. Malcolm Mciiacliorn's fine bass voice was again heard to advantage, and the Kientos, the Alerts, Jack and Vera Kearns, Ernest Pitcher, the Coleman Sisters, and Lew James and Reina Selma all contributed most attractive items. The programme will be repeated to-night. TRAMWAY COMEDY COMPANY. To-night, at tho Choral Hall, the ■Chxistchurch Tramway Comedy _Companv will give an entertainment in aid of tho funds of the Roman Catholic branch of the Red Cross Society and "Our Dav" ihmd. The programme, which is described as an "all-star" one, is the fourth of a series this band of Red Cross workers have produced, but this will be their first appearance in tho city. The Tramway Comedy Company havo a reputation for originality, and if to-night's concert comes up to their past efforts an enjoyable evening should be spent.