THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 869, 22 November 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"A DAUGHTER OF THE GODS." The Theatre Royal was not nearly large enough to seat all those that flocked to its portals last night intent upon seeing the first production of "The Daughter of the Gods," the title given to this year's children's pantomime, presented by the juvenile company of Miss A. J. Menzies and Mr W. S. Wauchop. At the outset let it be said that the performance was, in every respect, a delightful one. Indeed, it was surprisingly so. The company consists of some 100 children. About the performances of these little folk there is nothing affected, nothing grownuppish, nothing that jars in the way of studied pose or stagey stiffness. Naturalness is a charm that seldom embellishes the stage or street conduct of adults. The little people revel in their work and endow it with an abandon that lends the effectiveness which simplicity never fails to produce. In passing, one or two other impressions created may be noted. The first is the tunefulness of the singing. In both choruses and solos this was most marked. Then, again, the diction of the children was almost perfect. Their pronunciation and enunciation were correct and distinct, while there was an entire absence of anything in the nature of a "twang." If the pantomime can be accepted as a reflex of school singing and school English there is little to be feared regarding the degeneration of our music, or ol our speech. The "book" is the work of Messrs W. S. Wauchop and L. 11. Booth. It is based upon Japanese legends, and has been adapted to children's capabilities by men who evidently have a thorough understanding of the juvenile mind. It has much subtle humour. Involved sentences, bristling with a redundancy and exaggeration of politeness, are frequent, the idea of burlesque in this respect being cleverly conceived and consistently preserved. The authors might have taken the risk of such dialogue being made unintelligible, but they obviously understood the mental capabilities of the children for whom they were writing, as not a word or accent was misapplied or misplaced. The intelligence the children showed in the speaking of their lines was indeed remarkable. The Prologue (Miss Kathleen Brewins) gave a foretaste of this intelligence which was maintained consistently by every child right through the piece. Most of the "talking" scenes were excellently and convincingly done. Of these the prologue, the discussion of the dolls, the parting of 0 Cho San and Hcronari, and the scene in the goblins' hall were carried out with a remarkable degree of intelligence. The ensembles were as pretty as they could be, the opening and the grand finale being particularly well arranged. The production abounds with (lances, marches, and ballets. The fiance of the dolls, the ballet of Japanese flowers, the grasshoppers' dance, and (lie peony ballet were strikingly effective, and roused the spectators to frequent outbursts of enthusiasm. The last ballet had to be repeated. A feature of this part of the entertainment was the solo dancing of Miss Ruby Wilding and Miss Elsie Lock, both of whom can be compared with many of the professional danseuses who have been seen locally. The solo singing, and the choruses were always pleasingly tuneful, and this department was well in keeping with the general excellence of the whole production. The acting throughout was also good, being of a character that came quite unexpectedly from ones so young. The special scenery, painted by Messrs Booth and Wauchop, came in for a lot of admiration. The general effect of (bis was enhanced by some beautiful lighting effects. The cast of characters is a long one and space will not permit of its being given in detail. The work of each of Ihc principals was of such a uniformly high order that it would not be lair lo extend, under these circumstances, special mention to any individual. The little performers are a credit to themselves, and to their teachers alike, and their entertainment can confidently be recommended to those who enjoy a thoroughly wholesome, clever and delightful evening's amusement. A capable orchestra, under the direction of Mr Eric S. Hell, played several enlractes and accompanied the ballets. "A Daughter of the Gods" will be repeated this and to-morrow evenings. Considering the merit of the performance, and the fact that the

proceeds are in aid of the Belgian Fund, there should be crowded houses on each occasion. CHRISTCHURCH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. The third concert by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra was given in the Choral Hall last evening, and a very nicely selected programme was submitted. Mr Alfred Worslev conducted with skill and ability.' There was a good attendance. One of the most attractive features of the evening was the charming and graceful "Intermezzo" from a symphony by Hermann Goetz. In no other number was there such an excellent balance and sympathy between the various instruments, and this, added to the undoubted beauty of the composition, made the intermezzo quite a delight. The soulful overture from Sullivan's "In Memoriam" was another notable item, and one which called for even more skill of interpretation than the previously mentioned one. From these two excerpts alone judgment may be formed of the orchestra's progress, and a considerable improvement noted. Slightly ragged edges are becoming trimmed and neat, and there is decidedly a better unity of tone than that which obtained a while ago. The remaining orchestral items included the spirited "Raymond" overture, the delightful "Serenade Mauresque" (Elgar) and a "goodnight" number in the shape of an excerpt from Don Cesar de Bazan (Massenet). Mr Zimmermann was most warmly applauded for his clever interpretation of the first movement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto, and Mr A. Hutton was extremely successful in his flute solo, the first movement of the Flute Concerto by Briccialdi. Mr A. L. Cropp was the vocalist for the occasion, his first programme number being the dramatic "Ombre di mia prosapia" (from "La Gioconda"), and the second Nelson's spirited song, "The Windmill." He was in excellent form, and his songs were given with taste and good feeling—the individual needs of each receiving due and adequate expression. He, in common with all other soloists, was encored on each appearance. STARLAND THEATRE. The current programme at Starland, headed by "The Idler and "The While Pearl," was witnessed by a large attendance last evening. "The Idler" is the latest Fox arrival, and it fully maintains that producer's high standard of excellence. Its plot is a powerful one, and the picture is superbly mounted and staged throughout. The acting of the various parts is in the hands of a capable cast, including Chas. Richman and Claire Whitney, who was last seen in "The Plunderer." There is a highly realistic fire scene, while thrills are abundant throughout. Another feature of this play is the lavishness of the interior settings. "The White Pearl," a five-reel Famous Players production, featuring beautiful Marie Doro, is another picture of the first order. It contains some magnificent settings, taken mostly amid the floral beauty spots of Japan, while there is also a well-depicted shipwreck scene. Another item on the programme which contributes largely to ifs general excellence is a one-reel version of "The Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens. This was produced by the London Film Company, and has Edna Flugrath on the cast. Tomorrow "The White Pearl" will be replaced by "Sold," a five-reel Famous Players drama, with Pauline Frederick in the lead. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A programme of all-round excellence is being screened at His Majesty's Theatre Ibis week. The Pathe Gazette contains all the latest pictorial news from everywhere, while Mull and Jeff, as spendthrifts, are again highly successful as laughI raisers. The star picture is a distinctive production in every respect. [ If was produced by the llala Company, which was responsible for "Cabiria," while it also features the 'mighty Maciste of that masterpiece. Macisle performs many startling feats of strength in defence of a woman's honour. The play is one dealing with modern limes, and is I full of love and adventure. II is also ja picture within a picture, as it shows j Macisle in a scene from "Cabiria." I "Maciste" is undoubtedly one of the most unusual films seen in Christ- ! church for a very long lime, and is I certainly one which should not be ! missed. lis dramatic situations are I at all limes powerful, while the plot !of the play is one which grips. The I work of Ihc Ellwood Trio is a specially appreciated feature of the enlerI tainment.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The popularity of the beautiful and talented Clara Kimball Young was further evidenced by the large crowds which were to be seen making their way to Everybody's last evening. The day sessions were also very liberally patronised. The current attraction is "The Feast of Life," a five-reel World Film Corporation feature, in which Miss Young has undoubtedly achieved the triumph of her dramatic career. It is a drama of love, life, and lies, telling of a beautiful Cuban girl, who, to please her parents, betroths herself to a wealthy Spaniard. She does not, however, deviate from the path of true love, and her heart remains with her former lover, a young fisherman named Pedro. How the two are eventually brought together, and the lasting happiness which follows, is depicted in a series of scenes which compel attention. The action of the play takes place amid magnificent scenery, and the photography and mountings are of the best. There is an excellent supporting programme which includes the latest Ganmont Graphic. The orchestra, which is in attendance during the afternoon and evening sessions, plays efficiently and appropriately. OPERA HOUSE. There was a large audience at the Opera House last evening, when the excellent programme submitted was greatly appreciated. The premier attraction is Bert La Blanc's latest revue, "Then They Woke Up," which is entirely different from the company's previous productions. The work of the ballet is excellent throughout, while the musical numbers, particularly the contributions of the New York Comedy Four, are an especially pleasing feature of the piece. Bert La Blanc and Jake Mack are seen as shipwrecked Hebrew sailors who dream they arc Kings—then they wake up. The vaudeville section of the programme is an entertainment in itself, and includes the excellent juggling turn of Wilfred Du Bois. The Farrows produce a clever sketch entitled "The Bargain Hunters," while The Flemings and Montambo and Wells arc also appearing. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A five-reel Gold Rooster production, "The Woman's Law," featuring Florence Reed, is the principal item in the new programme at the Queen's Theatre. The drama is a most thrilling one, and holds attention from beginning to end. Florence Reed, who fills the principal role, gives a clever interpretation of the fond mother, solicitous for the welfare of her son. The story depicts a husband addicted lo dissolute ways, who during a quarrel engendered by jealousy kills an artist friend. The wife not wishing to have her son's name besmirched by his father's crime decides to lake the law into her own hands, and by clever manoeuvring baffles the police and attains her desire. The plot is finely worked out, and interest is sustained right up to Ihe climax. There is a good sup-, porting programme. "PEG 0' MY HEART. This is Sara AUgood's own candid opinion of "Peg o' My Heart":—"lt is," she says, "wonderfully wholesome in interest, and intensely human. All the plays of late that have been greatly noticed have been problem plays—plays with a sinning wife, sometimes two, —but in Peg there are none of these things. II is clean, straight-forward comedy, with a character in Peg such as only arises once in a hundred years. The moral of the whole thing, if I may put it that way, is its central value." J. and N. Tait are to present Peg to Christchurch theatre-goers on Wednesday evening next, when their new English company will appear in the record-breaking comedy that has made a fortune for its author and fortunes for all its producers. The box plan will open at The Brislol on Monday next.