THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 827, 4 October 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"HAMLET." Another big crowd gathered itself within the Theatre Royal last night when the second production of the Allan Wilkie-Shakespearean Company season was staged. The play was "Hamlet." Again was the attention of the audience riveted closely to the unfolding of the play; again did the players warrant the attention. Of Mr Allan Wilkie's Hamlet, it may be said at once that it is a gripping, definite, convincing and satisfying conception. Here we are presented with a Hamlet that is neither mad. (as Mr H. B. Irving made him), nor girt about with any of the complexities which puzzled the student who parsed, paraphased, analysed, and dissected the pages of the tragedy, line by line, under the direction of a pedantic schoolmaster. Mr Wilkie's Hamlet is an understandable fellow. By nature a melancholv prince, the whole purpose of his life is altered by the revelations of his father's ghostly spirit. The sluggish stream of his melancholy is thus hastened into a turbulent torrent of revenge which absorbs and overwhelms all his ambitions and purer passions. To pursue his purpose he merely puts "an antic disposition on" when it suits the occasion. Mr Wilkie again proved himself an actor of unusual power and forcefulness. In his interview with the apparition, in his soliloquies when his menial equilibrium was threatened by the conflicting agencies of passion, in his renunciation of Ophelia, in the upbraiding of his mother, and in the play scene he displayed a wonderful comprehension of the various emotional qualities which effectiveness demands. It was marred only by a tendency to clip the terminals so as to render some of the hurriedly-spoken passages unintelligible to those whose acquaintance with the lines was not one of intimacy.

The Ophelia of Miss Frediswydc Hunter-Watts was a remarkable performance, and one that must be ranked with the best that has been seen in these latitudes. Her mad scene will live long in memory. The pranks played by a mind unbalanced by a cpiaiiet of woes, the sudden relapses lo sanity, and the equally sudden plungings into the absurdities of mental derangement, the broken-hearted wailings, the apportioning of the floral offerings, and the pathetic exit of a poor demented Ophelia—these provided a scene that moved even the most stoicial temperaments. Mr Edward Landor's characterisation of Polonius was a capital piece of acting. Mr Walter Hunt doubled the parts of Laertes and the First Player. In cacti character he displayed intelligence of conception and acting ability of a high order. The Ghost of Mr Fred Kehoe and the Gravedigger of Mr John Cave arc deserving of honourable mention, by reason of their excellence. All the other parts were capably filled. The dressing, mounting, lighting, and general effects were again in keeping with Die high standard set by the principal players in a sterling production. "Hamlet" will he staged again to-night.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A drama teeming with love, hope, and fighting is the feature attraction at Everybody's this week. "The White Hope" is a story of the prize ring. Jt is a picture winch caters equally for lovers of good drama and for ring enthusiasts. The boxing scenes were made under the direction of George Gunther, the one-time famous black pugilist. These scenes arc remarkably realistic, and are quite different from the faked studio contests so often seen. The picture is adapted from the book by W. II 11. Troubridge. The Hepworlh Company is responsible for the production, which is characterised by excellent photography. The supporting programme is, as usual, lengthy and well varied, and contains a very humorous comedy entitled "Jerrv's Dig Lark."

QUEEN'S THEATRE. A picture which may be described as a combination of circus, pantomime, and drama, is the premier attraction at the Queen's Theatre this week. This is a 6000 ft Cines production, entitled "The Circus of Death." It is very rarely that a picture containing so many thrills and gorgeous settings combined with a very dramatic story is shown here. Mdlle. Evelyn, who will be remembered as the heroine in "The Jockey of Death," performs many daredevil feats. A clever monkey actor also plays a prominent part in the production. The wonderfuly clear photography, which enhances all the big settings, is a feature of "The Circus of Death." The latest Pathe Gazette is being shown in support. HIS MAJESTY'S. A strong and attractive programme, headed by an unusual film by the Pathe Company, entitled "At Bay," is a big success at His Majesty's. The story of the picture is most enthralling, dramatic situations and episodes following rapidly. The acting of Miss Florence Reed and Charles Waldron, both of whom were in the stage version, is wonderfully clear and convincing. Mr Waldron proved his ability when in New Zealand as leading man in "The Squaw Man," and "The Virginian." Other films of noteworthy interest include an official film showing our naval squadron in the Mediterranean, the "Pathe Gazette," and an animated cartoon comedy. There will be a matinee this afternoon at 2.30, and the programme will be repeated to-night.

STARLAND THEATRE. A Red Feather masterpiece is running at Starland this week. This is "Two Men of Sandy Bar," the piclure version of Bret Harte's novel of the same name. It is a thrilling and virile tale of a western mining camp. Two partners run a low-class gambling saloon, and their flagrant breaches of the regulations of the little community cause them lo be compelled to leave. How the two men then drift apart is strikingly told. One becomes practically an outlaw, while the other enters the service of a wealthy Spanish lady as a footman. Eventually fate brings the Iwo men together again, and complications ensue. There is a good supporting programme which in- ! eludes an excellent comedy. GRAND THEATRE. "The Wall Between," this week's i Metro picture at the Grand Theatre, features two favourites of the screen, Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Baync. It tells of a girl who has two lovers, Lieutenant Burkett and Sergeant Kendall, both of the U.S. Army. The latter is the favoured one, but on account of his low rank, her guardians will not allow her to have anything lo do with I him. The lieutenant docs his best ] to get Kendall from his path, but the I young sergeant is resolute. The ] climax comes when both go into J battle in Nicaragua, where Kendall i distinguishes himself, while Burkett ; proves himself a hopeless coward. The conclusion is highly salisfac- | lory. A Metro Drew comedy, the | fifth instalment of "The Broken Coin," and the "Eclair Journal" conelude the programme.

OPERA HOUSE. The latest production of the Bert La Blanc Revue Company's Christchurch season is at present being produced at the Opera House. It is I entitled "At the Exposition," and is I full of clean humour and blight | music. Miss Nellie Fallon has introduced some new ballets, and the work in them is refined and pleasing. j Some more good singing is provided I by Miss Maude Miles and Mr Carlton j Chase, while the New York Comedy | Four again score heavily with their | quartet work. The first half of the ! programme is occupied by several | excellent vaudeville turns, including I that of Les Legerts, who were so successful last week.