THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 378, 27 April 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"DOROTHY O' THE HALL." "Dorothy o' the Hall," as a talc of the spacious days of great Elizabeth, rather contrives to miss the spaciousness of the gallant days, and fails to revive any of the spirit of the time. The play is "Dorothy Vernon" with n difference, and many of the incidents of the book which could have been incorporated into the play with great ftdvjmtßpe to its movement have been overlooked. The principal defect in the play is that it has its sequence broken too' often by unessential soliloquy and dual dialogue. Everything must be subservient to the figure of Dorothy, and the result is that the action frequently dwindles into' a very shadowy background to this figure. Yet "Dorothy o' the Hall" is a •romantic play such as is always popular. The whole of the properties and situations of romantic drama are given—a young girl, beautiful and self-willed, to be"married to a man she has no love for, a headstrong lover who has the disadvantage of being the heir of a house having a feud against the house of the heroine, intrigues, deeds of daring, treachery, hairbreadth escapes, and ultimate 'triumph of the lovers, union of hearts, and forgiveness. It is a fault that there is a tendency, throughout to reduce characterisation and situation to comedy, and though the acting of Miss Nellie'Stewart (as Dorothy Vernon) and Mr James Atholwood (as Sir George Vernon) is the best acting of all the characters portrayed, it is they who are for the most part responsible for this insistence on the comic which, when the tragic scenes do occur, dispels their atmosphere. All' this apart, the playas it centres round Dorothy Vernon draws all sympathy towards the adventures, the moods, and the emotions of the great-hearted, wilful, tempestuous girl. :Miss Stewart is not the stalwart character one would conceive Dorothy to be from the action given her, but there Is no doubt as to her vividness, her impetuosity, and. her appeal. Her acting, particularly in those scenes demanding a simulation of hot temper or indignant defiance, was as excellent as It always is.. It is not always possible to forget the woman in the actress, but she has her high moments when she is entirely the part. Her best scenes are in the first and second acts, where she has opportunities for showing her tempestuous moods. The love scenes she infuses too much with the spirit of jest, as said, and she has a trick of inflections in her softer passages which are more reminiscent of the wiles of an artful, cozening wench than the utterance of a woman truly in love. Mr James Atholwood as the sturdy, domineering old knight, as choleric as his daughter is wilful, is very good, but he could give the part a little more dignity. A little more sternness put into the character would not spoil the humour, and would help the illusion. Mr H. R. Roberts as Sir John Manners, handsome and gallantly arrayed, is an Ideal lover for romantic drama, but inasmuch as the action of the piece all devolves upon Dorothy he is left in the rather unsatisfactory position of a hero who is left little to do but to follow tho lead of the heroine. His action in

tensor moments, however, is distinctly good. Mr Allan Wilkie plays the part of Sir Malcolm Vernon, cousin of Dorothy Vernon, suitor for her hand, and villain, ho far as the play can be said to have a villain. Ho is an actor of real ability, as he proved by his performance in "Du Barry.'' Mr Clarence Blakiston, who made a very fine figure as King Louis in "Du Barry," and who was so interesting in this part as to cause one to look forward to his performance as King Charles in "Sweet Nell," is content with the part of the jester Perkin in "Dorothy o' the Hall." With what material he has to work on he does well. Mr Blakiston realises and conveys the tragic note that runs through the play. Most of the other characters are secondary. Mr Stuart Clyde plays the Earl of' Rutland; Miss Ada Guilford is Lady Vernon, aunt of Dorothy and mother of Sir Malcolm Vernon; Miss Nancye Stewart is Mary Queen of Scots; and Miss Beatrice Esmond is Queen Elizabeth. The play is well staged in four acts, and will be repeated until Thursday next, when it will give place to that favourite drama, '' Sweet Nell of Old Drury."

GLOBE THEATRE. An excellent set of films was introduced at the weekly change of programme at the Globe Theatre j'esterday. "Bread Upon the Waters," the leading film, is a dramatic study dealing with an incident in the life of a philanthropic artist. A brother artist died, leaving his three children destitute, and the philanthropist, despite his poverty, undertook the care of them. The picture portrayed many self-sacri-ficing and kindly acts on the part of the artist, and detailed his struggle through needy days to fame and affluence. A film of particular interest was that dealing with the military operations on the German eastern front, taken just after the Russian army had achieved a notable victory over the Austro-German army and secured an immense number of prisoners. The picture showed a procession of Austrian prisoners running into thousands, marching \mder guard to the prison camp. At the end of the column was a number of Russian droskies, conveying wounded German and Austrian officers. The "Australian Gazette" was full of bright, topical views and interesting happenings. Other good pictures were: — "As a Man Thinketh" (comedy), "In the Tsar's Gardens" (scenic), "Peggy's Invitation''. (drama), and '' Shocking Event" (comedy). The programme will be repeated to-day.

HIS MAJESTY'S. A splendid pictorial adaptation of John Reed Scott's powerful novel, "The Colonel of the Red Hussars," formed the chief item of interest on the programme. The story opens in the Washington Club in New York, where clubmen destined to play an important part in the thrilling events to follow read and discuss a certain newspaper paragraph chronicling events in the kingdom of Valaria. The main actors in the story are King Frederick of Valaria, Princess Dehara, a certain Major Dahlberg (who has been known as "Mr Smith, of Washington"), the Archduke of Lotzen, and last, but by no means least, a Mrs Spencer. The picture turns to Valaria, where Princess Dehara meets with Major Dahl-

berg. Subsequent events lead to the major gaining the title of Grand Duke. Like all titles, it carries with it the inevitable inheritance —jealousy amongst inferiors. A plan to ruin him is formed, and then the" Princess Dehara's love forms an important factor. The developments which follow prove thrilling and absorbing, and the final scenes were particularly powerful. The film is produced by the Edison Company. The supporting pictures are all excellent, and include a powerful story

of trapper life in Canada, called "The Love of Pierre Larosse." A bright Kalem comedy, "Getting Father's Goat," raised a good laugh, and there was also a good Vitagraph comedy, "The Band Leader." The usual war budget and several good scenics were likewise included.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A first-class programme is being presented at Everybody's. Theatre this week. The piece de resistance is a Keystone farce entitled "Hushing the Scandal." It features Syd. Chaplin, brother of Chas. Chaplin, Avho promises soon to rival his brother in popularity. In the farce it is set forth how the day arrives when Mr Droppington is to announce his engagement to the lady of his choice. A garden fete is held in honour of thV.c#,r\««.ioni_ and Mr Droppington brings the ring'aiid kisses the bride-elect, whereat, everyone appears perfectly satisfied. Mr Gussle is announced, however, ami he falls in love with Droppington's fiancee, swallows her engagement ring, and woos her in the shrubbery. These "goings-on" arc strongly objected to by the girl's match-making ma, who in the general excitement loses her wig. Events happen then in quick succession, and each incident is an excuse for unrestrained mirth from the audience. ' ' The Baby's Ride," a comedy-drama concerning a child, is an excellent supporting number, as is "Out of the Deputy's Hands," a stirring Western romance containing a murder and a mine explosion, two sure attractions. "A Five Bob Rebellion" gives an excellent series of war cartoons, and the " Gaumont War Graphic" gives a splendid budget of the latest and most interesting news from Europe. Altogether the programme is one which cannot fail to give enjoyment, and it will be presented again'this evening and throughout .to-morrow.

OPERA HOUSE. That the home of vaudeville in Christehurch is steadily growing in favour, and that the efforts of the management in putting on good class programmes are attracting the right kind of people, was strikingly evidenced by the audience last night. The programme presented was one of the best for very many weeks. Pride of place must be accorded the "Four Aerial Lesters," who gave a decidedly daring exhibition of trapeze and other gymnastic work, fulminating in the quartet hanging by their toes and playing patriotic selections on brass instruments. "A Comedian at the Piano" is how the programme describes Phil Percival, and he certainly is. A pianist of no mean order, lie has a. delightfully subtle sense of humour, and is indeed a clever entertainer. Another new turn was that, of Frank, Lank, and Alice, who earned a welcome by a clever display of comedy juggling and club swinging. Alathilde and Elvira, the picturesque Spanish dancers, repeated their triumph of the preceding week, as did Mann and Franks, in a new sketch, while Les VVarton has seldom been heard to better advantage. Eleanor, of "Eleanor and Bertie," continues her graceful evolutions on the tight wire. Miss Ella JAirlie still charms with her dainty songs, ami Max Martin also contributes vocal numbers. Mr A. Bidgood has resumed the musical conductorship.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. There was a large audience present at the Sydenham Theatre last evening to witness the new programme. The feature film was entitled "The Colonel of the Red Hussars,' 7 and told a. story of romance ami adventure. Other iilnis were: ''Love of Pierre Larosse (drama), "(Jetting Father's Goat" (comedy), ''The Croat Kartlupiake at Italy," "After a Snowstorm in Denmark" (scenic), and "The Baud' Louder" (comedy). The programme will be repeated to-night.