ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4871, 24 January 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAIN M ENTS.

MR, J. 0. WILLIAMSONS combam v. “ SHERLOCK HOLMES/’ For some years Jiasb theatre-goers lrl ■Wellington, and, indeed, throughout New Zealand, have boon denied a duo proportion of drama ia thmr amusements. In must also be admitted, so far a.s this city is concerned. that the drama with which it has been entertained has not always been of tho most fortunate class. As a result d»'amatio aspect has fallen into, if not disrepute, at all events ill-iavonr; and tno star of comedy—also source —and ot comic opera and musical burlesque ail too plentiful—lias generally been in the ascendant. Even it Vvel! iugtc-u was so fortunate as to bo able to ciiooso with any measure of freedom, last night’s production of ‘‘Sherlock Holmes” would probably stand easily first among dramas produced hero during the last five or six years. ■ Several of such pieces would probably retrieve for tho drama the place which it at present has undoubtedly lost. ‘‘Sherlock Holmes” is not a stranger to the general public. The tale of filiss Faulkner’s affair has not boon told among those which Conan Hoyle has published concerning his greatest creation—but tho central figure himself is quite familiar, and his first appearance was greeted with tho welcome of a reputation and tho added interest cf an old acquaintance. Mr William Gillette, tho dramatist, has paid equal attention to tho humour mid tho intricacy o? the plot, and tho piece is redeemed from much of tho heaviness usually associated with such a class of play and invested at times with almost tho hilarity of a comedy. Indeed, Mr Holmes himself appeare throughout more in the character of a humorous cynic of a well-known school than a smart detective endowed with supernatural knowledge and second sight. The plot is rather involved. There is a Continental nobleman who has betrayed tho lovo of an English girl; and there is a packet of letters, photographs and jewellery which is the token of tho betrayal. TJioso aro in the hands of tho girl’s sister, Alice Faulkner, who cherishes them, in tho hopo that they may some day secure revenge for her sister’s wrongs. For tho purposes of blackmail, Jamas Larmbco and Madge, Ills wife, desire to got possession of tho packet. As a moans to that end they take compassion on the loneliness of Alice Faulkner, and receive her into their house, whore, by all manner of throats and tortures, they endeavour to wring from her a confession as to tho hiding place of tho treasures. Siio consistently refuses to give them up. They invoke tho assistance of another of Sir Conan Doyle’s celebrated characters, Professor Moriarby, whose services are secured by Sidney Prince, a picker of locks. Meantime, tho perfidious nobleman, wishing to contract a marriage with an approved family, engages Mr Sherlock Holmes to find out and secure tho packet of documents, which, in tho hands of Alice Faulkner, lie considers a serious obstacle to 'his marriage. Holmes calls at tho Larrabecs’ house to see Miss Faulkner, but the Larrabccs, knowing his mission, attempt to cheat him b.y presenting Mrs Larrabeo instead. Sherlock Holmes, with a remarkable facility for noting details which are apparently of no consequence, discovers tho trick, and demands to ho introduced to Miss Faulkner. When sho arrives ho contrives, by a cleverly-arranged plan, to cause an alarm' of fire, and thus got rid of the Larrabecs for a few moments. Alice Faulkner’s first movement on hearing tho alarm is, of course, towards the chair in tho stuffing of which she has concealed the packet. Sherlock Holmes notices tho movement, and immediately brings tlio' pajiers to light. Having succeeded thus far, ho is for the first time softened by the girl’s distress, and, declaring that ho cannot legally take tho packet without her permission, ho hands it hack to her, with the object of first gaining her confidence and afterwards lessening her desire for revenge. He leaves tho house, warning tho Larrahees against any further ill-treatment of tho girl. Afraid of his threats, tho Larrabees enter into a conspiracy with Professor Moriarty for tho disposal of Holme®. _ Moriarty lias complete confidence in himself, and decides right away to visit and kill Holmes at his own house the following day. He proceeds there at tho appointed time, and introduces himself to tho detective, hut after a series of moves On, both sides ho finds himself checkmated. His next move is to arrange a -meeting between Larrabeo and Holmes at a gas chamber in Stepney, where tho former announce® his willingness to negotiate for tho salo of tho‘packet of treasures, which, ho declares. Miss Faulkner has agreed to part with. Miss Faulkner lias heard of tho plot, and follows Larraboo to tiio chamber in the hope of saving Holmes, for whom sho has developed a quiet regard. Arrived there, she satisfies herself that her fears are well founded, and finally agrees lo -divulge the hiding place of tho documents on condition that Holmes is not harmed. Presently tho approach of Holmes is announced, and tho girl is, gagged and thrown into an ante-room. Holmes arrives, prepared to deal single-banded with tho gang, and among the first things ho notices is tho unusual fastening of tho ante-room door, wli'cb leads to the discovery of Miss Faulkner. He frustrates an effort to hind both himself and tho girl, and, finally, when the row thickens, smashes tho lamp, and throws tho place into darkness. In tho midst of tlio confusion, ho and Miss Faulkner escape by means of his device of placing his lighted cigar in a crevice in the wall, and attracting the fury of tho assault in that direction. He locks tho gang in as ho goes out. Later, when Mrs Larrabeo is still trying to entrap him, and has called at the house of his friend, Dr Watson, to got news of his whereabouts, Sherlock Holmes, in disguise, manages to meet with a cab accident, and be carried for treatment into tho doctor’s consulting room. There ho effects her arrest. Moriarty, who has in tho meantime taken tho place of the driver of the cab, is called in to get a valise, and ho goes tho way of the others. Finally tho emissaries of tho wicked nobleman arrive to take delivery of the incriminating documents from Holmes. Ho finds, to his mortification, -that tho packet which ho purchased from Larrabeo at the gas chamber contains only counterfeit letters and photographs, but Mice Faulkner comes on the scene at tho moment, and voluntarily hands over tho originals which she lias saved. In the end, Sherlock Holmes and Alice Faulkner both admit that what made them fail in their object was their love for caoh other. Tlio performance and staging of “ Sherlock Holmes ” wero alike meritorious. Tlio mounting of the piece and tho scenery were unusually good, and the rise of tho curtain frequently prompted hearty applause. The developing of the scenes was in itself novel. The theatre being thrown into complete darkness, the curtain 'was rais-

ed, and the scene gradually developed out of the darkness by the slowly-in-creasing light. The effect was always pleasing, and in several cases strikingly picturesque, notably in tho second scone of tho second act, where the draw-ing-room of Sherlock lie hr. os is disclosed with tho hero in.red dressing-gown, smoking before the fire. The company which Mr J. C. Williamson has sent to the colony is one cf unusual quality. Mr Curler Hastings is, of course, the central figure. Ho comes with r. reputation already made, and in every respect ho acts up to tho mark. Strength is tho distinguishing characteristic of his cult, being noticeable throughout, in tho humour and parties of tho piece; and there is abundance of belli. Having a fine presence card a finished manner, ho makes up to tho character in every detail, and has entire possession while he is on tlio stage. His success is immediate, for tho scene in tho Larrabccs’ house at tlio opening of tho piece is one of his best. Fori laps tho most dramatic scone is tho dialoguo between Holmes and his friend Dr Watson (Mr F. Lnmsclen Hare) rn the last act, when thehoro, fresh from tho triumphs of trickery which form his stock-in-trade, realises that he is in love with Alice Faulkner, and that in his calling ho is unworthy of it. “The warm breath of a few yammers, tho cold chill of a few waiters; and then—and then —” It is in this passage that tills side of his talent is scon to its best. As for the other side, in which ho becomes of necessity more familiar, the ' scene in tho gas chamber is the best. Mr Haro and_ Mr Hamilton Stewart are also conspicuous figures among the male performers. Tlio latter’s villain part was played with freedom and well. Mr J._ 13. Atbolwood is not unknown in Wellington. The part of Professor Moriarty brings considerable demand upon Hr player, and Mr Atholwood’s reputation is much enhanced by this addition to his repertoire. Mr T. W. Lloyd also gavo a good performance as Benjamin Forman, Sherlock Holmes’s butler. The female x>arts are happily allotted. Tlio bulk of tho work is divided between Miss Mabel Lane and Miss May Chevalier'. The former shows considerable talent in her representation of a wicked woman. She has a considerable aihount of personal charm, and is a. most dainty actress, and appeared to increasing advantage as tho plot thickened. She was most successful in th last act, where her career was ended bher arrest. Miss Chevalier acts with great taste. Her part is a difficult one, but sho gains recognition of her artistic pourtraval in tho first act in which sh undoubtedly cams a largo share of, the honours. There is a smart little French maid part, which is taken to advantage by Miss Minnie Terry. ” “Sherlock Holmes” will bo repeated to-night. THEATRE ROYAL. '

Notwithstanding counter attractions, a largo and appreciative audience assembled at this popular place of amusement, tho bright and varied programme meeting with great appreciation. The singing of Mr Frank Graham claimed special attention. Perhaps “ Let Mo Like a Soldier Fall ” was his most successful contribution. Messrs Yorko and Kearns kept the audience in a continuous simmer of laughter. Miss Emmie Smith’s songs of tho “ coon ” typo woro given with distinct effect.

There is something to pleaso everybody in the present variety faro of tho Dean Proprietary Company, now holding tho stage at tho Choral Hall. The sleeping beauty still breathes with a mechanical regularity,, and the _ remainder of tho waxen figures continue to represent tho originals with great fidelity.