ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 20, 25 January 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KATHEBINE GREY SEASON, "THE THIRD DEGREE." Probably, to the move dispassionate observer Klein's "The Third Degree," which Wellington saw for the first* time last evening, is, as a play, not ko successful as "Th© Lion and the Mouse," tor several reasons. In both there is a human story, moving enough, and coherently developed, in each the author has concerned a courageous little woman of illimitable optimism, with the odds against, her sufficiently one-sided to enlist the sympathies of the audience and there are other similarities. But in "The Third Degree" the last act is a definite weakness. There is a slight degeneration, and the dramatist, anxious for the silver lining to the cloud, has played down to popular taste over much This is not to decoy the play, which, as led by Miss Katharine Grey, is an artistic pleasure that should not bo missed. It is stirring, appealing, and the passions are not too frayed, too wrought upon. The characters are delineated by a craftsman, and the dialogue i$ seldom aught but natural, or well thought out. The author, characteristically and conscientiously, deals with one of those cruel abuses that only the States can provide. In the "Lion and the Mouse" it was a lance couched at the Trusts, in last night's production it was that iniquitous inquisition adopted at time& by the American police to wring confession from an overwrought mmd — the dreaded "third degree." It depends for its success on hypnotic suggestion and a "subject" — the latter brought to that extrerneity by a system of degrading brutality that induces a "brain storm." Yet Klein, doefe not stress the disagreeableness ; he merely begins vvith it. What ht> most delights in — having hie theory of life in mmd — is to fashion a woman, always a heroine; a delightful characterisation, set a cross on her shoulders, and mai'ch her up hill to her little Calvary. And all this that he might give her a. glo/ious upliftment : after the dark the dawn. The woman in this case is the daughter of a saloon-keeper, Become the wife of Howard Jeffries, junior, who has suffered social ostracism for his rash act. His step- j mother is the shining light in the roaring social world. Thero is one Underwood, embezzler and card-sharper, who has loved the Imperial stepmother at one time, and who, in the toils of his accusers, drops out of life by a pistolshot self-inflicted. Young Jeffries, a friend, asleep from a whisky debauch on a couch in an adjoining room, all unconscious of the smell of blood and Eowder, awakes to find himself in the ands of the inquisitors. Suspected to have avenged himself through jealousy — a woman, supposedly Mrs. Jeffries, jun., was seen to visit Underwood on the night of the suicide — young Jeffries, distraught from whisky, after seven hours of the "third degree," confesses to having committed the shooting. His father, his friends, forsake him, and it is left for the true-hearted wife to set him free. Pertinaciously, a veritable Nemesis for relentlessness in her object, the unlettered saloon-keeper's daughter, single-handed, cuts the bonds and fiees her husband. The character is powerfully conceived and minutely drawn. At the last the mysterious woman, really Mrs Howard Jeffries, is made known through an enlightening letter, and after some inconsequences in the concluding aethers is a great reward. At various stages of the development of the story the audience recalled Miss Grey again and again, J and she deserved it every whit. j v Miss Grey, as Mrs. Howard Jeffries, junr., was enviably successful. She has not the stage presence of a Nance O'Neill, but she possesses a marked magnetism and a perfect naturalness that more than compensate. Hers are no imperial entrances and exits. She creeps in quietly, and acts with a marvellous conception of hex author's intentions. Her rich voice, in tears, midway between tears and laughter, in indignant disavowal, or quaint impertinences, never fails to convey her suggestion, and all through she won her auditor.* hearts with that characteristically quiet, forceful acting. As Howard Jetfries, junr., Mr. Cyril Mackay, given an opportunity, demonstrates his advancement as a player apt and intelligent. His work in the first act was excellent. Mr. William Desmond, as the constitutional lawyer, was very satisfying, and he, too, missed no points. Mr. Winter Hall made a stiff father, Mr. George Bryant, as the leader of the inquisition, was faithfully American police, and Miss Alma Vaughan, as the gorgeous stepmother, looked and moved convincingly. The principals were well-supported. J "The Third Degree ' will reappear to-night. LAWRENCE CAMPBELL RECITALS, j The return season of Mr. Lawrence Campbell, the clever society entertainer and monologist, will begin at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Thursday next. Recitals will be given on Friday and Saturday evenings next. "Amongst other monologues not already given here, Mr. Campbell will give "Playmate," "A Broken Web," "Vita Brevis," "Good-bye Lynethe" (all by Will | Ogilvie), "A Bunch of ,Roses (Patterson), "The Cane-bottomed Chair" (Thackeray), "Players" (Daley), and "Butterflies" (Coppee). Mr. Campbell will be assisted by M. Eupene Oossipoff, Russian baritone, and Miss Ina Gow, Miss Renee Lees, and Mrs. Shaw Mayer, pianists. __— _ THEATRE ROYAL. ' \ Three droll fellows, announced as the Do Re Me Trio, continue to provoke roars of laughter nightly at the Theatre Royal, and the brightness of the entertainment as a, whole is evidenced by the large audiences. The clever trio will perform for the last time at Wellington to-morrow evening. Loud and continuous requests for encore greeted Miss Ruby Wallace's graceful performance, and Miss Jolly Colemap earned much applause with her fine work on the trapeze. Scot Gibson pleased the audience with rollicking ballads and infectious humour. Other artists who were well received were Miss Cecile Stephano, Miss Jessie Lee, Charles Heath, and Tim Howard. On Friday night Farrell and Gaffney, and Graham and Dent, will made a reappearance. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The present programme at this popular place of amusement is well up to standard. The scenic pictures are themselves well worth a visit, while the dramatic films evoke a full measure of enthusiasm. The scenes in Moscow and India are also popular. The programme throughout is varied and interesting, and is evidently gi-eatiy appreciated by the large audience*. j THE KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was again a. "full house" last night, and the excellent programme submitted wab received with general favour From beginning to end there is not a dull moment, and the travel and scenic films are both interesting and instructive. STAR PICTURES. On the occasion of the weekly change of programme, there was, an overflowing "house" at St. Thomas's Hall, Kewtown, last evening, and Hie entertainment amply merited the patronage. The new;,

series represented the high water mark of kinematography at St. Thomas's Hall, aoid contained a generous variety of subject matter. "A Panther Hunter " was an exciting study, replete with hair-breadth escapes and thrilling situations. There are numerous comedies of more than ordinary merit, such as "Wipples Wants' Sleep," "A Cat Changed into a Woman," and "Window ta Let." Dramas also are liberally interspersed, and help to round off an' excellent combination of entertainment and instruction. A benefit progressive-euchre party will be held in the New Century Hall tomorrow evening. The Tramways Band will give a performance at Island Bay to-night.