"THE 13TH CHAIR"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 25 September 1918, Page 6

"THE 13TH CHAIR"

A MYSTERY IN DRAMA FIRST PRESENTATION AT THE OPERA HOUSE. To say that tho “Thirteenth Chair” is something of a puzzle among detective stories gives but little idea of the impression wmcb is made on an auclieyco i»y its stage roprecontauon. The reading ot a complicated detective narrative in book lurra is something very different to witnessing a presentation on a stage with flesh and blood personalities immediately under the eye. Tiiere is little call upon the imagination. The thrills exepncnced are as real as if the looker-on were in physical contact with the characters in tho story^ The largo audience which assembled at tho Grand Opera House last night was thrilled by a representation most life-like of a drama full of thrilling sensation. .

“Who killed Spencer Lee?” That is the first proposition which is wrestled with. Then there is the further problem, “Who stabbed Lee’s best friend?” Before those two points are settled tho audience are earned through many dramatic vicissitudes, and interest and excitement are on the rising scale to the very end. The plot, so far as it is advisable to relate in the interests of intending patrons' of tho play, amounts to this : Sponcer Leo, a quite notorious profligate, is found murdered in his rooms from a stab in tho back, no trace being discovered of his assailant. Two individuals determine that they will penetrate tho veil of mystery that is presented. One is Edward Wales, a most intimate friend, and the other is Police Inspector Tim Donohue. As a result of their investigations they gather that just before tho murder Leo was visited by a young woman who presumably went to obtain compromising letters, and stopped not at murder to accomplish iior object. Their task i s to find tins woman, and the audience is plunged into a tide ot supremo sensationalism. The next stage of the story is that, in celebration of tho engagement oi hi s sou, Will Crosby, to Helen O’Neill, Roscoo Crosby, a millionaire, entertains his particular friends. Edward W ales is included in tho party, and, by permission of tho host and hostess, ho arranges for tho diversion of tUo company a spiritualistic seance. The medium ho has arranged with is Rosalie La Grange, who has become rather a notnety in this 1 connection. Interest tightens when Wales announces his intention of procuring, through her agency, tho name of Lee’ s murderer. Rosalie is of Irish ancestry, and has an attractive personality. While admitting that in connection with spiritualism “fakes” are sometimes resorted to, she insists that there do come to her on occasions veritable “messages from those who have gone.”

Tho odd name for the drama is then discovered. For- the spiritualistic seance seven women and six men take seats in a circle, hand-in-hand. As it Happens, the thirteenth chair is occupied by Edward (Vales, tho friend of the murdered man. An air of groat mystery surrounds Rosalie, who, in the disposition of the mystic circle, is ultimately tied hands and feet to her chair. Tho lights go down, and “Laughing Eyes,” the medium’s messenger from the other world, is heard. Then something like this occurs:— ‘Ho wants Ned. . . . Ned.” “Who is it ” “Sponcer wants Ned. . . . Why in Hell, doesn’t Ned answer.” 'What is it?” “He says letters. . . . Pain, in the hack. . . . Oh, it hurts so.” “Are you trying to tell me who killed you ? ... . The name 1 . . . Quick, the name 1 . . . . All, God 1 My back I” Lights are turned on, and with tho blaze of electricity that is shot on tho scene, from tho thirteenth chair there topples forward lifeless the body of Edward Wales. Just on the verge of the discovery of the assassin of Spencer Leo, apparently, he also has mot his death by a stab in tho back. Who killed him ? That is the question. On the face of it the assassin must .be included in. the circle. 1 Thus is a most thrilling, situation created, and there follow all sorts of complications—false trails in tho wellknown detective story fashion, until at last the crimes are properly sheeted home to the true author in an atmosphere of over-growing excitement. The audience are kept on tenderhooks tho whole time

There is no doubt that the admirable original Australian cast of characters — equalling, it is. said, anything to bo seen on tho American side —had a lot to do with tho thrilling interest that pervaded the whole performance. Miss Margaret Wychcrly, wife of tho author of tho play, created tho role of Rosalie La Grange in New York, and last night she certainly lived the character, every word she ■ uttered being imbued with convincing naturalness. A lino side of the character is where, in tho ardent passion of motherhood, Rosalie seeks to secure her daughter’s safety. At every fall of the curtain Miss Wychcrly had the enthusiastic appreciation of tho audience for her fine and supremely realistic acting. Remarkably fine work was done by Mr Gaston Mervnlo as Roscoo Crosby and Mr Sydney Stirling as Phillip Mason. Dramatic strength signalised the assumption by Mr lan McLaren of tho part of the ill-fated Edward Wales. Thoroughly American was Mr Brinsley Shaw as Inspector Donohue. Quite a charming piece of characterisation was supplied by Miss Lizette Pa rites as Helen O’Neill. Miss Ethel Morrison filled well the role of Mrs Crosby, and Mr Rawdon Blandford stood out conspicuously by the way ho handled tho part of Will Crosby. Miss Eileen Robinson, Mias Nancyc Stewart, Messrs Leslie Victor, Frank Allanby, and Thomas Sydney, and the other members of the company all give a good account of themselves in this most mysterious drama, which is well mounted and surrounded with appropriate music. “The Thirteenth Chair” will he presented throughout the week.