ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

“AT CRIPPLE CREEK.” “At Cripple Creek” is real melodrama. There could bo no doubt of that, if one only stood at the back of the theatre and heard tho gunshots, the shrieks, and the hoarse cries of the bloodthirsty persons’ who occupy the stage most of the time- As a story, it is thrilling enough. It has all the vices, all the tragedy, all tho gunpowder necessary to make one sit on the edge of one’s seat throughout the four acts. But in melodrama, one must not be too critical of tho plot itself. Often the poorest piece of this kind may be turned into something most presentable by a capable company, and in this play George Willoughby’s now dramatic company acquit themselves well. One must give the most credit to Miss Nell Holroyd and Mr Cyril Mackay for playing with genuine enthusiasm tho parts allotted them. Miss Holroyd, especially, was most attractive as tho supposed-but-turns out-not-to-be-daugbter of the most villainous scoundrel, and Mr Mackay, as an honest miner amongst many dishonest ones, filled tho role in a bright, capable manner. The story of “At Cripple Creek” centres round tho intrigues of Martin Mason (Mr Vivian Edwards), the terrorising hotelkeeper of the mining village, who, with a Mexican accomplice with a horrible-looking knifo always ready, is engaged in a curious kind of white slavery. His plan was’ to advertise in Chicago for governesses for his children, and when tho unsophisticated city young ladies arrived, they were forced into the evil ways of Cripplo Creek. Tho saving of one of these girls, Belle ■ Gordon (Miss Pearl Smith) falls to the lot of Joo Mayfield (Mr Cyril Mackay), tho honest miner. Tlio story ends happily, of course, with nearly everybody married and weeping tears of great joy. A groat deal can be made of it in capable hands, and the result of the Willoughby Company’s' efforts is to provide a most attractive entertainment.

The main “thrill” of the piece is provided by a novel piece of stage setting. It shows the mouth of a deep canon, and from the edge of this, tho bloodthirsty Mexican' throws a little girl over the edge. Hero the audience gasps, but a sigh of relief comes twosevenths of. a second later, when a faithful Indian servant of Joo Mayfield swings out on the bough of a tree and catches tho child as she falls. Mr Herbert Leigh as tho Mexican bully played the part consistently, and with the necessary amount of hoarseness in his threats. As’ tho “baby” of Cripple Creek,” little Miss Vera Huggett acted cleverly, and was most successful in the evening scene with her father. The other roles' wore capably filled. The comedy of the piece lias tho merit of being “new goods”—mostly, and tho heavy drama is i successfully toned down by it. The Era Comedy Four and tho National Duo are cleverly worked into the play, and provide excellent musical numbers. “At Cripple Creek” will be staged tbis evening, to-morrow night, and Saturday night. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. There was a crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when every item of a lengthy and entertaining programme by the Fuller-Brennan Company .was enthusiastically, received., Josephine Gassman and her piccaninnies received a double recall. Fernandez and May have also gained much popularity with their star; American musical act. This evening Mr Charles Zoli, the versatile character comedian, will make hie reappearance. The Waldrons, described as English pantomimists and comedy troupe, will mako their initial appearance this evening. THE KING’S THEATRE. A crowded assemblage witnessed the screening of the lengthy travel film, “London By Day and Night,” at the King’s Theatre last evening, when very many people were unable to gain admission. The picture is of exceptionally fine photographic quality, ami not a point of interest in the mighty metropolis has been overlooked. The subject shows tho capital city of the Empiro from Windsor Castle to Petticoat Lane. Another splendid subject is the motion-picture of “The Liverpool Grand National, 1914.” This historic steeplechase is dealt with in a most thorough manner, all the principal jumps being vividly depicted.' Last night’s audience was quite enlhusias tic over the presentation. Tho supporting films’ are of an enjoyable character. The series will bo shown again this evening. A matinee is announced for Saturday, beginning at 2.30. THE DANDIES. The Dandies attracted another largo audience to the concert chamber in the Town Hall last evening and the various items which the members of this entertaining troupe had to present were all well received. To-night there will bo a complete change of programme, when another selection of bright items will be given. Among tho songs are:—“l’d Like to Gaze on Your Sunshade,” “Ragtime Navvy,' and “Our Wedding,” all of which are said to be most entertaining. There will also be an excellent variety of other items which cannot fail to cause much amusement. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "Heartsease,” a “featuro” drama, by the Vitagraph Company, will occupy pride of place in the programme to be shown at the Empress Theatre to-day and to-night. The story is stated to be artistically interpreted, and tho climax, a great fire scene, is described as most realistic. Supplementary to the above will be tho Kalem Indian spectacular drama, “His Indian Nemesis,” “The Shadowgraph Message” (S. and A. drama), “An Itinerant Wedding” (A. K. comedy), “Simple Simon’s Family Drama” (Gaumont comedv), and “The Skittlo Match” (Eriko farce-comedy). STUDENTS’ CARNIVAL. Satisfactory progress is being made with the preparations for the Students’ Carnival in honour of this year’s graduates. Tho two-act extravaganza, “Boadicca,” which is to bo produced in the Town Hall tomorrow evening, promises to be a great success. It deals with early British times, and is said to be a humorous and satirical commentary on the British scheme of colonisation. It is a much more ambitious effort than those of previous year-*, there being 105 performers. The flimlenl conductor is Dr. W Kington Fyffe. The box plan is rapidly filling. For the benefit of Hutt and Petone residents, a train will leave Lambion station at 10.50 to-morrow night.