THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 110, 15 June 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

AT CRIPPLE CREEK. "At Cripple Creek," presented on Saturday night, and concluding the Willoughby Company's season on Tuesday night, is the kind of drama that invariably gets the crowd. It is full of sensation, and the incidents follow on each other with a rapidity that gives no time for excitement to cool. The play is styled "a Western mining drama," and, of course, deals with those hasty characters who always carry a gun and use it with remarkable promptitude and accuracy on very small pretexts. The type of community represented is extinct in these years, except in the pages of certain story writers and the kinematograph films, "but that doesn't make the play any the loss thrilling. After all, the people who like melodrama like excitement, and the authors have merely supplied a demand in compiling "At Cripple Creek," which is, at least, more healthy fare than "The Bad Girl of the Family." There is the usual "Wild West" saloon where miners and desperadoes meet, ilrink patent liquors without intervals between drinks and indulge in the exhilarating sport of shooting bottles off the shelves. In this saloon occurs a very active gun fight which fills the theatre with noise and the stage with smoke, and makes one of the most purple of the many purple patches, in the piece. Another sensational bit is that where a a villain, of course, hurls a little girs over a cliff so that sfibte may be heroically saved by an Indian who acrobatically swings out over the canyon by a vine and gathers her in. That wicked Mexican is the saloon-keeper, and contrary to the prevailing fashion of Cripple Creek, he prefers a knife to a gun, but the faithful Indian is usually on hand in time to prevent him using it with any effect. The plot of the piece is concerned Tjdth the machinations of a villainous gang headed by the saloon-keeper, which badly wants the Last Dollar claim from the virtuous hero. The hero doesn't know that it contains gold in quantites, but the villains do, and yet the hero refuses to part with it. This" causes a lot of trouble, including the jfijght in the saloon, the attempt on the life of the hero's little daughter, and the capture of the heroine and other' ladies by the same gang while they pay a visit to the mine in their best clothes. Uutvthougli .the dastardly Mexican tries tc blow up the mine, kill the hero, seize the heroine and do other dastardly fhings, he is always frustrated, and the hero survives many attacks and outrages that would drive a less heroic person to a mental hospital with nervous prostration. To relieve the intensity of the tragedy a plenitude of humour is interspersed, and for this the coloured bar-tender is mainly responsible. Mr Darcy Kelway plays this part, and plays it well. His humour is of the "knock-about" order, but he makes it humorous, which is an achievement. Naturally, the play concludes to the discomfiture of the "bad men" (who are most unutterably bad) and in the triumph of the hero, heroine, angel child, and others associated —all of these being surpassingly good. It can be said that Mr Cyril Maekay, who plays Joe, the hero, makes him a human being, less superhuman and spectacular than the jisual melodramatic hero. Miss Nellie Pergusson plays "Dynamite Ann," a fearsome woman -who shopts on sight

and sets up drinks for herself and the boys in the Cripple Creek saloon, but who is brought to see the error of her ways by a timely request from the angel child (little Vera Huggett) to desist from drinking. Miss Nell Holroyd plays the part of a brave and defiant "cowboy" girl very successfully, and with some naturalness. The villainous Mexican is played by Mr Herbert Lee in the traditional manner and Mr Renold Ei]ey was the heroic Indian who always is on the spot at the crucial moment.

There are other characters who do their share very capably and make a good evening's entertainment out of the riot of sensation brought together by the authors of "At ,Cripple Creek." OPERA HOUSE. The final presentation of last week's programme at the Opera House on Saturday evening drew a large attendance, and the various items submitted received their due appreciation. Daring the evening the resident manager, Mr 11. Chadwick, on behalf of local tangoists and friends, presented Mr and Mrs Phillips, the popular entertainers, with a morocco leather handbag and a silver card ease. To-night an entirely new programme will be presented, including the special starring engagement, direct from America, of Dare and Norwood, sensational athletes ami Herculean artists; the starring engagement, direct from America, of Lyons and Cullum, America's versatile entertainers, in a comedy act introducing singing, dancing, and aaimal imitations; the special engagement'and first appearance of the Waldrons, presenting their original comedy sketch, "The Silly Burglar;" the special engagement, direct from London, of Billy Watson, the popular comeuian; the welcome engagement and first appearance of Andrews and Dent, introducing Miss Muriel Andrews, the Australian violinist; the special engagement aijd first appearance of Vincent, Arthur, and Oliver, in their vocal act, introducing harmonised operatic and p®pular melodies, supported by Carlton Max, ventriloquist, and Dennis Carney, the popular comedian. The box plans are at Milner and Thompson 's.

THE COLOSSEUM. Notwithstanding the inclement weather prevailing 011 Saturday, both sessions at the Colosseum were liberally patronised. The new programme to be presented tonight is reputed to be fully up to the standard and contains such variety that every taste will be catered for. '' The Wreck" is the star film and is the product of the celebrated Yitagraph Company. It is said that the cost of producing this film ran to £IO,OOO. A headon collision by two giant locomotives is one of the many novelties introduced into a dramatic story. Another interesting picture is one dealing with the Mexican War, which has recently been suspended. '' Patlie's Gazette'' has a budget of typical events in picture, and the well-known Keystone Company contribute one of their comedies. It is entitled *' Mabel's Bear Escape.'' Other numbers are ' 4 Alegrias Acrobats,'' j "Montana State Fair," and "Courting Betty's Beau." HIS MAJESTY'S. Hayward's Pictures drew large at' tendances to His Majesty's Theatre at the matinee and at the evening session"! on Saturday. The star feature for the

week commencing tonight is a great moral drama depicting the work of the Church in the cowboys' regions, and it is said that no better Western drama has ever been shown. "For His Master" is a powerful play, with an immense influence for good, and shows the grand character of the typical bush missionary. A beautiful coloured scenic shows '' Paris, Garden of Plants. An interesting series depicts '' The Eastern Frontier of Albania," while another emotional drama is entitled '' The Eternal Duel.'' The "Gaumont Graphic" presents the latest world's 'news in picture form.

Other items include "Twins and the Stepmother'' ( comeTly-drama), " Betty in the Lion's Den," and "Bidoni's Dream" (comedies). GLOBE THEATRE. A large number of spectators were present at the Globe Theatre on Saturday evening during all the sessions, when the different pictures,- which were being shown for the last time, were much appreciated. To-day the usual first change for the week was made. Premier position on the new programme is occupied by an Edison drama, "With the Eyes of Love," a beautiful story, nobly acted. A second drama by the! Lubin Company bears the title of "Just Nobody." The 4 comic section is a strong one, including 'YThe New Maid," "The Bellboy's Revenge," and "Littie Willie and Bombardier Wells." Other numbers are " Bizerta-Tunis " (scenic), and the "Warwick Chronicle." The programme will be shown continuously at the usual hours to-day. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The audiences which attended the Sydenham Theatre both at the matinee and in the evening were large ones, and the pictures shown were well received. The new programme to be presented this evening contains for its star film a powerful Western drama, "For His Master," showing the methods of "the fighting parson" in dealing with cowboys. Other pictures are " The Gaumont Graphic'' (topical), " The Eternal Duel" (drama), "Paris —Garden of Plants,'' ' 4 On the Eastern Frontier of Albania" (scenics), "Bidoni's Dream" (comic), "The Twins and the Stepmother (comedy-drama), and "Betty in the Lion's Den." OLYMPIA RINK. The Olyuipia Rink was well patronised at all the sessions on Saturday—an abundant testimony both to the popularity of skating and to the merits of the rink as a place in which skaters may enjoy their pastime to the fullest. The usual four sessions will be observed to-day, and the band will render selections during the evening. MADAME GOWER BURNS. The first of this winter's afternoon concerts will be given in the Alexandra Hail to-morrow afternoon by Madame Gower Burns, commencing at 3 o'clock. With Madame will be Mrs W. Wilson, Mr Sidney Williamson, and Mr Alfred Worsley. MR DENSEM'S PUPILS. Patrons would be well advised to [ book early for Mr Densem's testimonial concert, to be. held at the Choral Hall on Wednesday next, in addition to the splendid programme which has been arranged, and to which the best talent in Christcliurch will be contributing items, the occasion will mark the last appearance in Christchurch of Miss Alice Saunders prior to her departure for Wellington. Perhaps, somewhat appropriately, this young ladv will deliver one of her popular Cockney sketches, entitled "Giving Notice." The programme has been well selected, and will include Mr R. Clark, violinist, and Mesdames East and Joll, and Mr T. Charters, vocalists. Amongst others, several recent competition prize-winners in Messrs Brett, F. Macdonald, A. B. C. Young, and M'D. Vincent, will appear in monologues, Dickens, and other character sketches, dialogues, and recitations. The plan is at Chivers's Music Stores, while day sales may be procured there or at .Tenner's Central News Agency. "THE CREATION." On Saturday night, in the Durham Street Methodist Church, Haydn's niagnicent oratorio "The Creation," was produced by a large choir under the conductorship of Mr Ernest Firth, F.R.C.0., who had also trained the voices in the various choruses. Mrs Gower-Burns, the soprano soloist, upheld her part spleudiYjlly, and her singing was artistic, graceful and beautiful throughout. Especially successful was she in the exquisite '' With Verdure Clad," and again her singing in the air "On Mighty Pens," a. solo which calls for the utmost delicacy of treatment, and in which the artistry of

Mrs Gower-Burns found full scope. Mr L. Bowron was entrusted with the tenor solos, and Mr L. C. Walker with the bass. Mr Bowron was the more successful of the twOj the aria '' In Native Worth" being perhaps his best effort. Mrs Walker's soli included "And the Angels," "And God Saw Everything," both being given with good dramatic effect. The trios '' Most Beautiful Appear '' and ' • Achieved is the Glorious Work," were fine indeed, the balance between the voices being excellent, and each part being well sustained. The choir performed good work in the choruses, the result of Mr Firth's training being satisfactorily manifested. The basses may at times have been a little too prominent, and the altos might have made themselves heard to a greater degree, but on the whole the effect was good. Mr H. T. Whittingham acted as organist in a helpful and sympathetic manner. Only the first two parts of the oratorio were produced. The attendance was fairly good, especially considering the unfavourable aspect of the weather.

ORGAN RECITAL.

The organ recital at His Majesty's Theatre last evening was attended by a large audience. The programme had been chosen with the usual nice discrimination, and the different compositions were interpreted with skill and taste by Dr. Bradshaw. The series of "Woodland Sketches" by M'Dowell was very daintily given. The "Steersman's Song," from the "Flying Dutchman," was also a very much appreciated item, and the "Lied" and "Barcarolle '' by Hoffmann were delightfully given. The big work of the evening was Bach's Prelude and Fug\ie in C minor, a classic among organ selections, which was brilliantly played.