THEATRE IN 1924.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18265, 26 December 1924, Page 15

THEATRE IN 1924.

A REVIEW.

One of the disadvantages, from a. playgoer's point of view, of living in tho Dominion is that during tho course of a year the number of Attractions proseiitcd by theatrical companies is insufficient for his rcuircments. Another is that too ofttn ono company will follow hard upon the heels of another, after which ther.s occurs a lengthy interval during which timo he must content, himself with visits to tho city's permanent picturo theatres or its ono music hall. It is inevitable that in a sparsely populated land like New Zealand such things must be, and therefore ono must learn to accept them in a philosophic spirit. In tho circumstances it is remarkable that so many companies, some headed by artists with a big London reputation, should bo able to tour the Dominion. In doing so they undertake no easy task, because whereas they may play one piece in a big centre like Sydney or Melbourne for several weeks they must, when playing before New Zealand audiences, who, by the way, arc not the easiest of critics, bo prepared to make many changes in the course of a comparatively brief season. Not only docs this impose a severe mental strain on the artists engaged, but it also means the carrying round.witli them of a lot of scenery with its consequent expense. On. the whole it must bo admitted that theatre-goers have been generously looked after this year, at least insofar as the quality of the plays presented and the calibre of some of the companies producing them are concerned. While such stars as Messrs Dion Boncicault and Lawrence Grossmith and Misses Irene Vanbrugh and Gertrude Elliott, all of whom are at the zenith of their careers, are presented to New Zealanders, it cannot be said that they are badly treated and it is surely better to rcccivo occasional visits from people of this class than to be coHWnuously played before by those, very much their inferiors.

The pieces pfescnted in Christchurrh this year were, as usual, of a muchdiversified character, ranging from drama to the lightest of musical corned;-. At the close of the year 1923 and tbe beginning of the present year C'hristchureh was honoured by the visit of Lawrence Grossmith, eminent; English comedy actor, who was seen in three plays, "Ambrose Applejohir's Adventure," "The Silver Fox," and "Quarantine." The company had a successful season. The next attraction was the quaint opera, "The Beggar's Opera," a piece which so graphically portrays the coarseness of its period. Those who constituted flic cast were Misses Beryl "Wulkly, Mollis Tyrol], Pauline Bindley and Eily Ma'.yon, and Messrs Keg; Roberts, C. Mcttani, G. AYilloughby and Noel Allen. Then followed a memorable season by the dramatic company headed by the great English emotional actress, Miss Gertrude Elliott, who capitivated everybody by her wonderful acting in such pieces as "Woman to Woman," "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," "Smilin' Through," and "Enter Madame." A successful season of vaudeville was played by the Humphrey Bishop Company, after which the Christchtireh Operatic Society pleased their wellwishers with the manner in which they presented the well-known musical comedy, "Our Miss Gibbs." After a vaudeville company headed by that clever Oriental, "Long Tack Sam," had held the boards for a short season, the J. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company, headed by Miss Josie Melville, appeared in the musical comedy "Sally." Between this attraction and "Bluebell in Fairyland," which was played by C'hristchureh amateurs on behalf of' Unlimited Charities, "Carter the Great" was seen' in acts of mystery and illusion. Miss Ada Reeve headed the next Williamson Company which visited Christchurrh. she being the principal boy in the pantomime "Aladdin." A season of conjuring was next commenced in the Choral Hall by Malini, but it had a sudden ending.

After Mr John C. Ncwlands, of New College. Edinburgh, had Riven some cn■jovablc and instructive lecture, recitals oii Dickens, Poc, Kipling, Shakespeare :md other great figures in literature, :i visit was paid to Christchureh by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. A season of a month, during which time big business was done, was next played by the Ncllio Brnmlcy Dramatic. Company, which produced the following plays: "Fair and Wanner." "Peg o* My Heart," "Paid in Full," "Tho Misleading Lady," "Tho Lion and the Mouse," and "It Pays to Advertise." Under the auspices of tho Chriatchureh 8.5.A., Mr W. Lints produced "1924 Kcvcillc," and then a dramatic feast was given Ohristchurch in the season played by the English company bonded by Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr Dion Boueieault. The visit of these artists was one that will bo long remembered, being successful from all points of view, the audience which was present on tho final night resulting in a rocord in the receipts at the prices charged in tho Theatre Royal. The plays produced were "His House in Order," "Mr Pirn Passes By," "Tho Second Mrs Tnnqticray," and "Aren't Wc Allt" An event'which was responsible for a good deal of interest locally whs the initial appearance of tho pupils of Mr T. Keado Wauchop's School of Drama. A J«rge audience was present when they presented a number of short plays in the Caledonian Hall, and a favourable impression was made. At intervals during the year tho Musgrove Celebrity Vaudeville Companies oecupied the Thcatro Koyal and introduced to tho city numerous artists standing high in their profession. Lovers of vaudeville had their interests carefully watched during the year by the Fuller proprietary, the Opera House being well patronised with each weekly chango of programme, and the high standard of entertainment, pictorial and musical, was maintained at the Christchurch picture theatres.