"CHU CHIN CHOW."

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17224, 15 August 1921, Page 9

"CHU CHIN CHOW."

.. _ ♦— . A crowded and delighted audience was pre.sent at the pjrforraanc© of "Chu Chin Chow" at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. "Chu Chin Chow" is something unique in every respwt—it is not &,play, a revue, or a. pantomime, Vat a, splendid ertra.vagan/.a, comprising eomething of each branch of theatrical production, and resulting in on entertainment which, aB a feast to tho eye and the ear could not bo surpassed. It is impossible to convoy in words a true idea, of the beauty of the piece or to the manner in which the various scenes of Eastern life hold the interest and stir the imagination. From their seats iu the auditorium, the audience can forget they am watching a play, and imagine they are wit nessing something they have read about brougbtinto real life. This is yarticularljr true of the street scenes, for "atmosphere, that most difficult of all things to reproduce, either on the stase or the printed sheet, is wonderfully created. The scene depicting "A Mean, Street'.' is full of life and , colour. Native children are seen p-lay- ' ing about in- the glaring eualight, women eit at the doors of their houses, wasttin» clothes and gossiping, the pottery mater is "seen at his work with his primitive appliances, while peddlera trade their wares end beggars cry for alniß. A huge camel stalking along the street looks, in no manner out of place,.and the. appearance of conkeys laden with merchandise is completely in keeping with all the • surroundings. ino •ellin" of the slaves in. tbo market TJace is another outstanding scene. Here is seen. a bazaar, bright with .the many-coloured "arments of tlie people, and the slwe girls are displayed to the prospective buyers. Vbove all is that shrill noise of many voices, *o characteristic of the, Eastern peoples, \as they haggle and bargain. A wild, baivaMO dance is given by a bevy of desert girW, which excites the native populace to loudvoiced approval. A scene of quieter beauty is that depicting tho oasis in the aesert, where lives the silent Omar, who has vowed not to speak until his stolen bride is returned to him. The 'reflection of the still Wilms in the water is an admirable effect, end the actiu" is impressive particularly Omars father speaks of life with all the fatalism of the East. Huch could bo said of other wonderful scenes,, and still Jeave a . 'rtea.t deal untold, while the costuming, pai-ticuUu-Iy in the Mannequin Parade, is gorgeous bevond description, the colour e.ieots bein" original and pleasing. The uiueic of j '"Chu Chin Chow" is already well known, j but naturally it is doubly appreciated when. . heard in conjunction with the production lt"self "The Song of the Scimitar," "The Cobbler's Song," and many others are sung tvith the most pleasing effort. "Chu Chm Chow " which will, be presented throughout the week, will long remain a.'pleasant memory in the ,uinda of Christchurch theatregoers. The box plan is at The Bristol. Her Excellency the Viscountess Jeilieoe w jll attend to-night's performance.