The Lorgnette.

Observer, 24 July 1909, Page 6

The Lorgnette.

By Prompter

COMI G SHOWS July 26 to August ' — Nellie Stewart Dramatic Company. August 24 to September 7— Allan Hamilton's Biograph Componv. October 5 to October 16— Harry Hickards's Vaudeville Company

ALLAN HAMILTON'S Dramatic Company has been playing to " capacity " business through out the week. " A Message from Mars" was the second production of the season, and on the whole it received adequate interpretation. The Horace Parker of Mr George Cross was a really excellent piece of work, the gradual tiansition from egotism and selfishuess to " otherdom " being artistically and convincingly effected. Mr Wilton Power was sufficiently dignified as the mystic messenger, and Mr John Hesford, as the tramp, gave a realistic study of a difficult role. Mr J. L. Lawrence was mechanical and stiff as Arthur Dicey, although in the final act there was a slight improvement. Miss Rosemary Rees was well suited in the part of Minnie Templer, distinguishing the role with sympathy and genuine dramatic force. Miss Ada Guildford made an adequate Aunt Martha, but Miss Beatrice Usher, as Mrs Clarence, showed a tendency to gabble her lines, and it was extremely difficult at times to catch what she was saying. Although Miss Maud Chetwynd had only the small part of the housemaid Bella, she acted it in such a light and vivacious manner that she made it one of the most attractive features of the performance. The staging and mechanical effects were on an elaborate scale.

Something entirely different from the altruistic teaching of the " Message " is the burden of " Queen of the Night," which held the boards for the next three nights. If " Queen of the Night" conveys any moral at all, it must be on the drunken helot plan, for its most conspicuous characters are about as unprincipled a pair as ever dodged the halter, and flaunt their wickedness with a boldness never seen outside of melodrama. The spectacle of a society mother holding high revelry in her husband's absence while her neglected child is dying in another part of the house, and afterwards, in the plainest words, inciting the eveningdressed villain of the play to murder that husband with either poison or dagger — she doesn't care which, and she provides both — cannot be considered in the least degree edifying. The dialogue and incidents of the play are quite conventional, and the morals, as already hinted, show grievous kinks. However, the numerous sensations in the way of battle, murder, and sudden death, and an excellent storm and rescue scene, have kept gaping audiences a-thrill with excitement, and as they came to have their nerves tickled it may be assumed that the lurid structure served their purpose.

As to the acting, Miss Ada Guildford played with unwonted forcefulness as the repulsive villainees, a sort of Lady Macbeth in middle-class society, to the Macbeth of| Wilton Power, who had little need to do more than wear swell clothes and .hiss out hatred, or cupidity, or determination to brue bis hands in blood, according as occasion required. George Cross was strong as the estimable husband of the villuiness, if he did rant a little in some of the expressions of despair over his wife'B misbehaviour. Miss Rosemary Rees, as the part of the good angel of the cast, might have made a good deal more other opportunities. One of the cleverest por-

gentleman, as painted by John Hesford. William Ellison, and Wilton Welch, and Miss May Hesford trundled in barrowfuls of humour to help out the sombre incidents, and Miss Maud Chetwynd turned on vaudeville iienis of song and dance at reasonable intervals. Last night (Wednesday) another thriller was to be staged, entitled "The King of Crime," which will run till Friday evening, the season concluding on Saturday with a repetition of the Martian " Message."

The virtuous hero is still hurling defiance and denunciation in wholesale lots at the vicious villain nightly at the Opera House, being aided and abetted in his herculean task by the acclamations of the gallery's inhabitants. " The Heart of a Hero " is the latest Geach-Marlow production. According to a presumably truthful programme, it is from the pen of Lingford Carson, Msq. It isn't easy to comprehend what ' Msq." stands for, unless it means " masquerader," but let that pass. The plot of " The Heart of a Hero" is simplicity itselt. Jim Resdale, the hero, is a virtuous gardener, whose sister Nell has been led astray by an evil individual named Mark Marie, of Linton Hall. Mark has a younger brother named Wilfred, who, in addition to being a bit of an amateur cracksman, is imbued with a fraternal desire to have his brother murdered, in order that he (Wilfred) may inherit the estates.

Mark Marie, having discarded Nell Kesdale, with a view of seeking the hand and heart of May Ryder, a virtuous maiden, Nell, egged on thereto by Wilfred, inserts an ounce of lead into the carcase of her betrayer. Unfortunately for May Ryder, the fell deed is done with her revolver, which she apparently always carries about with her, even if she is only going into the village to buy sixpenn'orth of lollies. And, as May is found supporting the dying man, and as the latter individual melodramatically points to her just before he gives up the ghost, the village constable, with his usual keen intelligence, and without going through the trifling formality of procuring a warrant, promptly hauls the unfortunate May oft' to durance vile. This provides the pivot upon which the rest of the plot revolves. May subsequently escapes from gaol with the assistance of the comic man, who, by a melodramatic coincidence, gets run in on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, and is placed in the next cell to that in which May is incarcerated. The escape, although it would hardly be possible in real life, is worked with considerable ingenuity. The ending is the stereotyped one (which also is not often seen in real life) of virtue triumphant and vice vanquished. Taken all round, " The Heart of a Hero" is good, solid, satisfying fare of the sensational melodramatic order.

Of the male members of the cast, the palm mu9b be awarded to Mr Kenneth Hunter, who sustained the role of the villainous Wilfred Marie. Mr Hunter never makes the mistake of overdoing the part. His acting is always quiet, and at the same time convincing. Throughout, it was above the average. Mr Robert Inman, as the hero Jem Resdale, was somewhat stodgy. Still, it is true that the author doesn't give him much chance of being anything else, and presumably Mr Inman made the best of the material at his command. Mr J. P. O'Neill made an undoubted success of the part of the comic man Timothy Heighno. Mr Albert Lucas would be a better actor if he got rid of his maddening monotone style, and put a little more life into his acting. As it is, he is more like an automaton 'than anything else. Messrs S. Robinson and T. Curran were mediocre in their respective parts. Miss Maud Appleton, as Nell Resdale, spoke her lines in an obnoxious singsong manner, and her acting was very poor. Miss Ethel Buckley was well suited as the persecuted May Ryder, and her rendering of the role was all that could be desired. Miss Pattie Gourlay made a sprightly Susie Slack. None of the other parts call for special mention, The 'scenery and staging

were both good. To-night (Thursday) "The Midnight Hour" will be produced, the season concluding tomorrow night.

Haydn Beck, the nine-year-old Wanganui violinist, whose parents propose to send him to Europe to study, gave a demonstration of bis capabilities before an appreciative audience at the Choral Hall on Monday evening. What this little fellow will develop into time alone will show. For the present it is enough to say that he has the root of the matter in him, displaying musical intuitions upon which, if not spoiled by adulation on one hand or the straining of hip youthful energies on the other, he may in the future be able to build the fame of a virtuoso. His present execution and musical memory are prodigious, considering his years. Hampered by the limitations of a three-quarter-size violin and childish wrists, it is not to be expected that he should produce any great breadth of tone, but his general correctness of fingering and freedom in bowing are such as a student twice or three times his age might envy. Unaflectedly boyish in his manner until he lays his bow across the strings, little Haydn becomes from that moment a rapt musician, and interprets his composer with a depth of feeling that is as remarkable as his precocious skill in execution.

The little fellow's principal undertaking on Mpnday evening was the Seventh Concerto of De Beriot, comprising , three movements — Allegro Maestoso, Andante Tranquillo, and Allegro Moderato. His technical attainments were astonishingly revealed in the two brisker movements, which contain difficulties that might baulk many an older performer, and the Andante was phrased with a pretty appreciation of its requirements. Other selections were a Gavotte Grazioso by Bohm, an Allegro con Fuoco by Veracini, a Souvenii by Drdla, and an Alard Brindisi, the varied qualities of which were excellently realised, while a Serenade of his own composition showed his possession of a promising gift of inherent melody. Also, in acknowledgment of enthusiastic encores the little musician added Elgar's " Salu D'Amour," and Schumann's " Traumerei." Without entering into detailed criticism, it may be said that Haydn showed intelligent comprehension of each item, and played it with a precocious skill that will enlist the interest of all who heard him in his future progress in musical study. The remainder of the programme was furnished by Mrs Hamilton Hodges, Mrs Abel Rowe, Messrs Hal Gillmore, (J. E. Farrow, G. E. Poore, and the Unique Quartet, and Messrs T. E. Midgley and Fishwick acted as accompanists.

Miss Nellie Stewart and a powerful supporting company will make her reappearance in New Zealand at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday next, July 26, for a season limited to twelve nights. The opening production will be "Sweet Kitty BeHairs," in which Miss Stewart created a fuiore of enthusiasm in Melbourne and Sydney. " Sweet Kitty " is a dramatisation of the famous romance by Egerton Castle, entitled "The Bath Comedy." The stage pictures in the play are said to be perfect from the point of view of interest, construction, and dramatic force. The scene is laid at Bath, and the period is that of the Third George, when the gentlemen dressed as handsomely, and prinked and plumed themselves as elaborately, as the- ladies, and gallantry and ready wit were their most precious claims.

Judging by reports from Australia, the part of " Sweet Kitty " gives Miss Stewart every opportunity to display her talents. Spate critics have, indeed, declared that as the vivacious, witty, and handsome young widow she is seen at her very best. There are thirty-three speaking parts in the drama, which are in the hands of capable artists, a number of whom are making their first appearance in New Zealand. Mr Charles King comes with a first-rate London reputation, one of his most successful representations being " Monsieur Beaucaire." Mr Langhorne Burton left the lead in

"The Flag Lieutenant" at Home to come to Australia. Mr Frederick Moyes has for the past three years been starring England as Napoleon in " A Royal Divorce." Misses Marjorie Chard, Rosslyn Vayne, Harriett Trench, and Nellie Campbell are others well spoken of.

"Sweet Kitty Bellairs " can only be staged for six performances, as on Monday, August 2nd, " Sweet Nell of Old Drury" is to be revived for three nights. The last three nights of the season are to be devoted to a production of Shakespeare's comedy, "As You Like It." The box plans for the season are now open at Wildman and Arey's, and day sale tickets can be procured at the theatre Cafe.

On Saturday next a new season of Fuller's Wide-World Pictures will be inaugurated at the Opera House, beginning with the usual matinee in the afternooD. The "star" picture will be one depicting the life of Napoleon, which is said to have created quite a furore in the firm's southern housep. This film shows the entire career of the man of destiny from 1793 to his death in 1821. Jt is 2,178 feet in length, take upwards of 40 minutes in projection, and is said to be one of the most enthralling and interesting series known in living picture history. It will be supplemented by a rich variety of miscellaneous films.

A series of Saturday "Pops" was inaugurated at the Federal Hall last Saturday night by the Manteaux Moirs. Madame Blanche Carelli contributed several vocal items, which were undoubtedly the most pleasing feature of the entertainment. Songs were also rendered by Messrs B. Noton, J. Williams and others. Sone of the performers were either nervous or overweighted with their items, but on the whole a good evening's entertainment was furnished. The " Pops" will be continued until further notice.

A cablegram from Melbourne informs us that Hugh Ward's comedy company had a most successful opening there on Saturday night in "A Bachelor's Honeymoon," hundreds of people being turned away. The principals of the company — Misses Grace Palotta, Rose Musgrove, and Celia Ghiloni, and Hugh Ward himself — adds the message, received warm ovations, and the Melbourne papers are enthusiastic over the production.