"CHU CHIN CHOW."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18340, 2 September 1921, Page 6

"CHU CHIN CHOW."

There was hardly a vacant seat in His Majesty’s Theatre last, night for the fifth performance of “Chu Chin Chow.” It is impossible to classify “Chu Chin Chow” nearer than to describe it as probably tho finest spectacle the stage has yet produced, a result which is largely due to the careful thoroughness with which each detail of its production lias evidently been studied. It is tho best attempt yet to materialise the strangelv fascinating spirit of the East, and it is this that explains the ■ intangible fascination of the spectacle itself. The producer has been • true to the real East. The climax of this fidelity is reached in the bazaar scene, but it shines all through the production ; in such things as the red and blue of the far hills, which form the background for a lover’s song. Being Eastern TTie spectacle lends itself to bold colour schemes, and in this again ‘‘Chu Chin Chow” sets a new standard. It is a riot of colour, of blue skies and white walls, and richly ornate dressing in vivid tones; and yet this mad revel is somehow always restrained within the bounds that taste demands. And in auieter colour there is the cool oasis, with its dark palms, where Omar’s father kneels broken by the tragedy of five long years. This clement of tragedy, though tho end is bright, gives a certain strength to the spectacle and a corresponding gain in general effect. .This is also aided by tho acting of tho principals, particularly of Miss Helen Temple, as Zahrut. Mr Frank Wynall’s w;ork as the cobbler in tho bazaar scene is also convincingly carried out. and makes the act most effective. On the other side there is All Baba (Mr O. 11. Workman) a genial and comical character who combines a love of wine with a nice taste for Eastern beauties and a certain shrewd philosophy of life and love. The central figure of Chu Chin Chow, merchant and scheming robber, is capably presented by Mr Arthur Styan, and the whole story enacted in a changing succession of spiwtficle on spectacle, of swaying dances, and dazzling colours, that sets “ Chu Chin Ohow ” anart a-s an event, and a spectacle which should be seen by everyone as the crowning effort of modern stage production. Only three m-,re performances remain-to-night and to-morrow night, and a matinee to-morrow afternoon.