THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 16

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE BAT."

There was another crowded »tidi«no» *t th» Theatre Royal last night to witness the «»• C. ■Williamson English Dramatic Company ß production, -The Bat." The play abounds in mystery of the moat baffling description. First suspicion falls on one and then another of the characters, and the final ««*»»* is practically on the descent before the real criminal is denounced to the m«edulity and wonderment of the audience, whoso speculations throughout the play nave concerned all but the right one. At on* in the dim light of a candle, amid the Urunder'and lightning, the doctor (Rupert humlev) micht have been "The Bat." Or wouW the master criminal turn out to be none otn-r than that queer-looking Jap. boitler (Fran* Hawthorne)? Surely it couldn't b* Miss Cornelia, the charming, strong-minded laay, 'plaved with dramatic skill by Miss Emma Temple, and it would never bo the facetious maid of all work lizzie (Elizabeth Dunne).' But had not their actions been suspicious, and did not the law want the elusive "Bat ? Who on earth was he? There is hardly a moment without thrill, and when the puzzle is eventually unravelled few are prepared for the answer. The interest was _ kept at fever heat throughout the production, and "The Bat" was voted as th? finest mystery play ever seen in Christchurch for years. "The Bat" will be continued to-night.