AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14192, 15 October 1906, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

“ THE EXECUTIONER’S DAUGHTER.”

There was a very largo attendance at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, when the first change of the Maomahon’s dramatic esason was made, “ The Executioner’s Daughter replacing “ Our Guardian Angel.' ! The new piece, although it is not too happily named, is very strong in legitimate dramatic situations. The central theme is both powerful and original, dealing, as it does, with the suggestion that an estimable citizen has been bringing up a respected family with money which, quite unknown to them and to their friends, has been earned in the capacity of public executioner. The possibilities about this story are at once obvious, and the dramatist has not failed to make the most of them. There is something at once pathetic about such a story, and this touch has been well maintained, although after the presentation of the secret to the audience in a stirring prologue, naturally enough the demands of colour have led to its development being carried on through a series of vivid dramatic incidents. The play has a sort of breathleas daring constructively, which never allows it to grow monotonous, and it I journeys from excitement excitement with a wealth of sensation sufficient to satisfy the mpst thirsty hungerer after stage realism. It must not be imagined from this that there is any suggestion that the drama is mere “ blood and thunder.” It is a great deal mo-re,, for whilst its literary qualities may not he Shakespearean, the story is developed with a good deal of constructive skill, and there is a discretion about .the handling of the characters which is quite uncommon hi ordinary melodrama, where the possibilities are freely sacrificed to the exigences of the moment. The story is well told, in fact, apd, brimming as it does with incident, it plays more like the reading of an exciting hovel than the presentation of a melodrama. It is not necessary to spoil the interest of the story by repeating its salient features to probable playgoers, but it is sufficient to relate that as the result of a web of trickery and deceit the executioner ultimately finds himself in the position of having to undertake the execution of his own favourite daughter. This he naturally declines to do, and at the crucial moment, when his position is about to he undertaken by another, a reprieve arrives, and the inevitable washing-up of the last act sorts everything out with happiness for the virtuous and punishment for the vicious in approved style. There is, of course, in such a_ ■ play plenty of room for distinctive characterisation, and the strong company which the Messrs Macmahon have got together did not fail to do justice to the possibilities of the play. Miss May Granville, who must at times really be confused to know whether she is dramatically a proper or an improper person, so diversely is she cast,- upon this occasion assumes all the virtues of afflicted herqineship. She played the part of, Roche’s favourite daughter with pathos and nice discrimination. Miss Helen Fergus, who is the antithesis of Annette, played Felice with strong and sincere acceptance of the. character. She was particularly good in the scene where, with mastery hypocrisy, she precludes an attempt upon her father’s life. ’ As Roche, the executioner, Mr E. B. Russell was at his very best. He, played the part quietly but forcefully, and . the whole characterisation was a touching study of an old man who had nothing to help him in the choice of a vilified calling save the knowledge that he had never abused it, and had adopted it only for his family’s sake. Mr C. Blake was as good as ever as the inevitable hero of superabundantly generous instincts, and Mr Boothman emphasised the favourable impression he created in the /first production by his whole-hearted and sturdy villainy. Mr Fitzgerald played Kretoh capitally. Mr 0. Noble and Miss May Renno supplied the lighter work in a comfortably breezy manner, and in this they had good support from Mr M. Lynch. Little Miss Sinclair, as the crippled daughter of. Marius, had a heavy and exacting part to play, but she came through the ordeal winning all the honours. The staging and mounting of the play were both-excellent. “The Executioner’s Daughter ” will he played tonight and to-morrow night, on Wednesday “ Arrah-na-Pogue ” will he put oh, and on Thursday, by special request, ‘■'East Lynne” will be staged for one night only. The company will then visit Ashburton andTimaru. ‘ ‘ THE MAN FROM MEXICO. ’ ’ ’At the Theatre Royal on Friday evening the Willoughby-Ward New London Comedy Company, including the famous actress Miss Grace Palotta, will present the latest laughing success “The Man from Mexico.” Speaking of its recent production in Sydney, the f‘Daily Telegraph” said There was a great house to welcome the newcomers and to renew their acquaintance with such favourites as Miss Palotta, Mr Willoughby, and Mr Ward. The new piece is uproariously funny, and its success was instantaneous. In every respect it came up to the high recommendations which preceded it from’ America, whore it has been running with great success for a number of years. It was in this sort of spirit that the crowded audience accepted ‘The Man from Mexico’ as an American contribution to the gaiety of nations. No deceit was put upon the audience. . . . Du Souchet as a lauglunaker is famous, and he never wrote anything smarter or more enjoyable than ‘The Man from Mexico.’” In this piece Miss Grace Palotta, who made a name for herself in Australia ten years ago with the Gaiety Company, will make her first appearance in Christchurch. Mr George Willoughby is well known here as having been a leading member, of the WilloughbyGeach and Charles Arnold companies, Mr Hugh Ward is also an old Australian favourite, and the remainder’ of the company have all been specially selected in America and England for the Australasian tour, which is under the direction of Mr Edwin Geach. Mr A. Cowan is acting-manager. The box plans will be opened to-day at the Dresden. Mr James Hendy is now in town making the extensive arrangements necessary for the appearance of , the company on Friday. OPERA HOUSE. A new programme was presented to a large audience at the Opera House on Saturday evening. Miss Pearl Lovell, a very popular young comedienne, made a welcome and successful reappearance. Mr Frank King was warmly received, and justified his reception by some dramatic recitals. Mr Tom Hedloy, the Musical Moke, provided a very humorous turn, blended with clever musical achievements, while Oredge and Gibson’s now sketch “ The Globe Trotters,” contained some fine patter. Master Norman Mudford also pleased ,’the audience to a high degree with a couple of touching songs, very well sung. Prominent among the artists in the first half were Mr Ward Lear and the Lewie Sisters, while the j bioscope pictures supplied sensation i and frivolity in judicious alternation. ! The performance will be repeated night- i ly throughout the week.