THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"PRESERVING MR PANMURE" ADMIRABLE AMATEURS. 4 'Preserving Mr Panmure," as presented by "The Players" at the Theatre Royal last night, was a surprisingly excellent performance. —surprising, that is, as the performance of amateurs. True, they had good material . to work on, for Pinero is a master of dramatic, construction and can create ■situations out .of the most flimsy of wreumstances, and in this farcical €«medy he has, by a juxtaposition of characters, contrived some most humorous incidents, and "The Players" act«<l the characters with a sensible realisation that true farce is just caricature —the exaggeration of characteristics. The comedy is one more of those little slaps which Pinero delights in giving to English country house society, and it all hinges upon a-pious household, the >vpoeritical Mr Panmure, a pretty govetness who is also Mrs Panmure's friend, and a fateful kiss. Mr Panmore it is who kisses the governess, »iuch to her disgust, and after that the

comedy weaves itself round the quandary of the governess, who has promised the terrified Mr Panmure that she will not- tell his crime, faced by the inquisition of the other women, who have discovered through the girl's artless enj deavour to be advised whether under such dreadful circumstances she should leave the house of her friend or remain. Each woman, even the elderly Mrs Hebblethwaite, suspects her man .of being the guilty one, and each is resentful of the governess's attraction for the men. There is excellent comedy it: the scene where the governess, Josepha Quarendon, enters the library set aside for the use of the Hon Reginald Stulkley, M.P:, and his secretary, Talbot Woodhouse, to beg that one should take on himself the role of the guilty party. By this time the whole household is set by the ears and Mr Panmure, who Josepha has expressly absolved under pressure and according to her promise, is deputed by the women to find out the guilty party. He enters the library—Josepha is hidden in an adjoining room—and endeavours to get either Stulkley or Woodhouse to confess. Appalled by his hypocrisy, Josepha enters, and, the two men guess that Panmure is the culprit and denounce him. He confesses in tears and swears them all to secrecy. Then

enter the rest of the household, and Woodhouse, in order to prevent the women making a search for Josepha, makes confession that he is the man who kissed her. The scene ends with lire humour when the pious Mrs Panmure presents him with the badge of the Guild of Pine Souls, of which she is the leader, for having so nobly confessed. The comedy concludes with Josepha in Stulkley's town house as his sister's companion, with both Stulkley and his secretary enamoured of the lady. On this qualified elysium enters the Panmure household, to make reparation, for Mr Panmure has at last been driven in a corner and has confessed, arid bears the insignia of the Guild of Fine Souls —of the third class, and the comedy ends with Josepha's acceptance of the Hon. Reginald Stulkley, M.P., as a husband. The comic note is struck throughout and there is not a moment that has not cither its situation or its comedy, and it is greatly to the credit of the performers that they handled it so capably. At times the acting reached a very high standard. Mrs W. H. Montgomery, as Josepha Quarendon, was good throughcut, but particularly good in the inquisition scene, where she is badgered by the suspicious and jealous women. She has aii easy stage presence and a

good delivery, and her vivacity was most natural. The one trifling defect was that she was inclined to be rather staccato in the more tearful passages. Mrs H. E. Marsh, as the elderly Mrs Hebblethwaite, Mrs Panmure's aunt, was another who gave a good performance. She was the character throughout and gave an exceedingly good interpretation. Miss Ngaio Marsh, as Dulcie iinstice, Mrs Panmure's sister, was also :n keeping with the other characters, a determined young lady who had got her man and meant to' keep him; but her stage presence was not altogether good. Miss Jocelyn Pyne, as Mrs Panmure's precocious 'daughter Myrtle, played the part of the precise and intellectual infant admirably, while Miss 11. Rolleston achieved a success equal to the others in the part of Mrs Panmure. Of the men the best actors were undoubtedly Mr R. Twyneham, as Talbot Wood house,, and Mr F. Brittan, as the genial old Alfred Hebblethwaite —not that Mr W. S. Wauehop was not good i.s Mr Panmure; indeed, his caricature was lifelike, but his trouble was that he rade-the character rather more Uriah ITeepi sh than one judges to be the author's intention. Mr H. E. March, a*" the Right Hon. Reginald Stulkley, M.P., did good work, but his stage presence was poor and his action was stiff and ungraceful. Taking it as a whole, however, the comedy, in acting, dress-ing,-and staging, was presented remarkably well and none of the players were stage conscious or ever forgot the '' fourth wall.'' The action mignt have been hurried on somewhat —in this class of comedy swiftness of action is necessary —but the performers, being amateurs after all, took the safer course of deliberation. The play will be produced again to-night and must meet with equal success.

COLOSSEUM. The spectacular drama, '' A Fight for a Fortune," has been instrumental in pleasing large audiences at the Colosseum sr far this week. Thrills and exciting episodes abound throughout, the production as a whole being most 'entertaining. It is strongly supported by a splendid series of varied films, comprising:—'' The Gaumont Graphic'' (topical), "In Northern Italy" (scenic), *'The Inscription" (drama), and three comedies, "Polidor and the See-Saw," " How Burke and Buck Made Good," and "A Bathing Beauty." The latter is especially attractive, in that it features some of the prime favourites of the famous Keystone Company. The same programme will be screened again this-evening, while the usual matinee performance ii announced for Saturday. HIS MAJESTY'S. "A Day of Days" is proving a great attraction at His Majesty's Theatre this week, the stirring story of love and adventure told being interesting in the extreme. Capable acting and superb photography greatly enhance the value of the production, which is one that should not be missed. The supporting pictures are a good even lot, comprising:—"Closed at Ten" (comedy), "A Boarding-house Romance" (comedy), "-Winter Sports in Sweden" (travel), "Fresh Water Aquarium" (educational), and the latest "Pathe Gazette" (topical). The same series will be repeated this evening. "ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA." One of the picture events of the year will- be the production of the great Cines' film '' Antony and Cleopatra,'' which is to begin a season of six nights at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday. The producing firm, which has its headquarters in Italy, is renowned among film companies for picture dramas on the grand scale, and "Antony" is said to be its masterpiece in production, although the same firm has previously been represented by "Quo Yadis." Such was the reputation gained by the new film with its production on the Continent of Europe that as soon as it was released in the British Isles the British rights of production for three years only were sold for the record price of £BSOO. The Cines Company claims to have produced a picture worthy of so great a subject, and it is asserted that in visual splendour and historical accuracy the film stands alone. Costs of production are not revealed by film makers, but the lowest estimate of experts as to what was spent on this filln is given as £50,000, while others go as high as £IOO,OOO. To ensure something out of the ordinary in the way of incidental music, Hay ward's promise an augmented orchestra under the conductorship of Signor Martinelli, who is associated with the toW of the picture. Box plans are now available at the Dresden. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House is proving a great centre of attraction this week, the varied programme presented being most acceptable. There is not a weak item 011 the programme, and all the artists ir/eet with a hearty reception at the

hands of the large audiences which attend nightly. The usual matinee performance is announced for Saturday. For next week's programme the starring and exclusive engagement, direct from Hammerstein Theatre, New York City, of Edward Blondell, America's greatest comedian, is announced. He will appear in his Original absurdity in one aet, "The Lost Boy," assisted by Miss Katharyne Caine, the noted American actress. The Edward Blondell season is strictly limited to six nights and one special matinee.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme was presented finally at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening before a large audience. The new series to "be presented this evening will be headed by the stirring detective drama, "A Fight for a Fortune," containing, among other things, some very fine trick photography. The supporting pictures comprise;—" The Gaumoivt Graphic" {topical), '"ln Northern Italy" (scenicj, '•The Inscription" (drama), and throe comedies, "Polidor and the See-Saw," "How Burke and Buck Made Good," and "Bathing Beauty." The same series will be repeated this evening. GLOBE PICTURES. The current programme at the Globe Theatre was screened finally before a large and appreciative audience last evening. To-day a complete new series has been showing with signal success. In tiui forefront is a splendid drama of a pleasing type, entitled "Duty," telling a highly interesting story, illustrating the honour of the police force. For to-day and to-morrow only another special film is being screened in "The Lure of Gold," which sets forth a most fascinating story. The other supporting pictures are the "Pathe Gazette" (topical), and two comedies, "Max, the Ladies' Man," and "Bloomer's Toothache." The same series will be repeated this evening and throughout tomorrow. OLYMPIA RINK. The Olympia Rink continues to maintain the liberal patronage which it was accorded at the opening of the skating season, and there are large attendances at each and every session. A special feature in the evenings and on Saturday afternoons is the splendid music provided by the Olympia Baud. The same hours will be observed .this evening and to-morrow.

MISCHA ELMAN—WORLD'S GREATEST VIOLINIST. The visit of Miseha Elman, generallyregarded as the wold's greatest violinist, to this city realises a hope long cherished, especially by music lovers, that the famous violinist would one day visit this part of the world. Miseha Elman is only twenty-three years of age, but when he was a mere lad he bad reached artistic maturity—so completely, indeed, that when Joachim, who had been a marvellous child himself, first heard him in Berlin, he refused to believe that Elman could be so young, stating that even the qualities of genius would not render it credible that a child of thirteen could play with such "masterly skill." It was in London later on that Joaehim threw his arms around the bov, exclaiming, ' ' Miseha Elman, you are 710 longer an. infant prodigy; you are one of us." Put Elman did not stay *' one of use.'' He even eclipsed his masters until now he stands supreme so far as violinists are concerned. "I cannot remember ever to have heard the violin concerto in D major, by Paganini, with its hairraising difficulties) more perfectly played." This was written by a Hanover critic when Elman was beginning his public life at thirteen, and in this strain critics have been writing of him ever ?ince. He was only seventeen when he first visited America, yet his success was colossal. In Australia he has evoked the same line of favourable comment, but the enthusiasm of the audiences there apparently knows no hounds, for at the conclusion of each concert there were unique scenes of public approval; he was never allowed to finish until he had been recalled at least half-a-dozen times and'played half as niafiy encores. At his initial concert in Melbourne Elman received a letter from Madame Melba wishing him saccess, while Baron Rothschild also sent him a cable wishing him success in his Australian tour. At each concert here Miseha Elman will give an entirely different programme. He appears here .in the Theatre Royal oil Saturday and Monday, July .18 and 20. The box plan for both concerts is now open at Milner and Thompson, Ltd., High Street, opposite the Clock Tower. Day sale 4/trckets are at Woodwards, tobacconist. Only a limited number of 2/- tickets wili be sold at the door.

There's a grand "auld reekie" whiff about BONN Jls DOON TOBACCO—a homely wholesome aroma which tells of honesty and purity. Why not try it today? Any tobacconist sells it —lots of it. 2