THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 829, 6 October 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"TWELFTH NIGHT." There was another large attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when the Allan Wilkie Company produced Shakespeare's comedy, "Twelfth Night," this being the third of the six plays to he presented during the current season. It can safely he said that the success r;chieved in this pure comedy was equal to that scored by the company in the tragi-comedy and tragedy which preceded it. Indeed, with the responsibility of conventional interpretation cast away, and the necessity for restraint not so pronounced, the members of the company gave a performance of even more all-round merit than was the case in connection with the two plays that had gone before. A broader distribution of the characters' lines and the degree of importance assigned to each person make for a well-balanced presentation, and offer an equal chance to the majority of the plavers. In none of the other plays so far produced has the audience been given such an opportunity of propcrlv estimating the real ability of Mr Allan Wilkie's supporters. Last night's "Twelfth Night" produced some surprises in this way. Mr Wilkie added another to his successes by a well-thought-out study of the vain-glorious Malvolio—that delightful example of ostentatious officialdom and self-satis-fied humbug which is not by any means peculiar to Shakespeare's own day. His exalted sense of his own importance, his contempt for all men exceof his dignified self, his whole-souled conceit of Malvolio's worth and the ponderous ceremony of his behaviour —were all pourtraved bv Mr Wilkie with extreme skill. His fall from grace as the result of Maria's cleverly conceived plot, his ridiculous appearance "yel-low-stockinged and cross-gartered," and the resumption of dignity when again restored to Olivia's favour were accompanied bv many of those delicate little touches of artistic acting at which Mr Wilkie is such an adept. The Viola of Miss HunterWatts demonstrated that clever artist's versatility. It differs so much from Portia and Ophelia that its receiving convincing treatment from the lady who had been so successful in the other parts mentioned stamps her as an actress far above the ordinary. Her duel scene with Sir Andrew Aguccheek was a delightful interlude. Miss Ehvyn Harvey has done consistently good work throughout the season, but her Maria eclipses all previous efforts. It was an almost perfect piece of characterisation. The Orsino of Mr Walter Hunt was capitably conceived and admirably carried out. One looks forward to his Romeo with a considerable degree of pleasure. The Olivia of Miss Valentine Sidney was dignified and stately. Of course it is upon the characters of Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguccheek and the clown that "Twelfth Night" depends mainly for its success. These three roisterers, in I lie hands of Messrs John Cave, Henri Pore, and Fred Kehoe, were all that the student's menial picture had made them. All these players were excellent, and put up a performance that will not admit of an early departure from memory. The kitchen scene, the undoing of Malvolio in the garden, and the <\uv] were hilarious to a degree, and the three players concerned may lake unto themselves a modicum of satisfaction at a comedy effort as distinguished from clowning. Each part is so easy to overact. When clowning enters comedy gets out. But there was not the slightest disposition on the part of any of the trio to clown. The singing of Ml" Kehoe was a feature of a rallling performance. The minor parts were capably tilled, and She show was slaged in a manner quite up to the standard sel by ils predecessors. HIS MAJESTY'S. The leading feature of an entertaining programme is a I'alhe drama, "At Bay," featuring Ich beautiful Florence Heed. The story touches upon the gambling vice in America, and depicts the unhappincss consequent upon the habit. There are

some line sellings in the picture, and the ballroom scene and the big gambling raid are noteworthy incidents. There are some good supporting subjects, the Pathe Gazette, and a special war topical showing balloon work in our navy being particularly interesting. The usual matinee is announced for Saturday. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There were good attendances at Everybody's at all sessions yesterday, when "The While Hope," a lengthy Hepworlh all-British production, was shown. This picture contains, in addition to an enthralling love story, some very realistic boxing scenes. The plot is set in the beautiful scenery, which the Hepworlh Company never fails to introduce, is also a feature of the production. There is an excellent supporting programme, including a good comedy. OPERA HOUSE. Bert La Blanc's musical travesty stars will conclude their Christchurch season to-morrow evening with a final presentation of "At the Exposition." This is the company's brightest effort, and the music is again a feature of the production. Miss Maude Mills and Mr Carlton Chase are responsible for some good singing, while the New York Comedy Four score heavily with their quartet work. Miss Nellie Fallon is as charming as ever, and she has introduced some new and pleasing ballets. There is a full supporting programme of vaudeville turns. GRAND THEATRE. "The Wall Between" will be screened for the last time at the Grand Theatre this evening. This is the latest New Zealand release of the Metro Pictures Corporation, and the five acts of the play are full of love, thrill, and romance. The positions of honour have been assigned to Francis X. Bushman, and Beverly Bayne, two artists who are in the front rank of the screen stars. The story deals with the barrier between officers of commissioned and noncommissioned rank in the United Stales Army. It tells how a young non-commissioned officer overcomes this barrier by bravery and devotion to duty, incidentally winning the girl of his heart. A Metro Drew comedy, "Their First," is also on the programme. To-morrow, "Playing with Fire," Olga Petrova's latest success, will be shown. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Circus of Death" was repeated at the Queen's Theatre yesterday, and the large attendances that witnessed it were unanimous in their opinion that it is the most spectacular picture of its kind shown in this city. It combines thrill with drama, pantomime with circus, and there is ever present a vein of idyllic love. The pantomime scenes are unique and magnificent. The work of the beautiful young actress who [days the leading role is a feature of the production. This artist also appeared in "The Jockey of Death," to which the present picture is a sequel. The settings include some views of the beautiful Italian lakes, and the picture was produced by an Italian company. There is an abundance of thrills, including a scene showing the daring heroine climbing up a huge chimney stack to rescue a baby which has been placed there by a monkey. The last session commences this evening at 0.20. STARLAND THEATRE. The photo-play version of Bret Ilarte's novel, "Two Men of Sandy Bar" is at present running at the Starland Theatre as the premier attraction. Hobart Bosworlh is seen in this picture in a new role. The story contains an abundance of thrills and exciting incidents. The conclusion is dramatic but satisfactory. A humorous Transatlantic comedy entitled "Cowboy Clem" and Ihe "Eclair Journal" conclude Ihe programme.