AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9915, 2 August 1910, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

—«. — THEATRE ROYAL,

"THE HYPOCRITES."

A revival of " The Hypocrites," played by Messrs Clarke and MeyneH's company, was the attraction at the Theatre Royal last night. Mr 11. A. Jones's play is as welt known as Ins name, and is a good deal more interesting. It has been prettily played in Christchureh before, but its presentation Just night did not suffer from this inevitably "odious comparison." It is a. singularly human play, one of those productions, in fact, that move the unthinking to laughter and the thoughtful to something approaching tears. This means, of course, that it demands au immense certainty of touch in its presentation. ilhe shadowy borderland between tho sublime and the ridiculous is a dangerous geographical quantity where the drama is concerned, and in incapable hands "The Hypocrites" might easily degenerate into farcical drama. - Last night the story was pathetically unfolded and faithfully told. Its theme is so intensely human that it only demands naturalness from the puppets that play it to secure its success. There can be no complaint in this respect, for the lucid story was presented with admirable fidelity. Hypocrisy has been described as "a saint at home and a devil abroad," and around, this picturesque estimate the dramatist has woven a very .human play. Tho parson is often the butt of the playwright, probably from a desire to secure emphatic contrast*, and lie is used to an extreme of comparisons in. "The Hypocrites.'" Tho result was eminently statisfaetory, for the pretty distinction between Mr Forde's lievereud Evcrard Daubeny and Mr Harry Roberts's Edward Linncll was beautifully shaded. Both these actors gave admirable presentations of their parts. Mr Roberts, at times, was almost too natural, but the saving virtue of this sin helped to make his honest curate a very lovable aud impressive person. .Miss Beatrice Day; as a mother with a son _ who counts for more than " universes, and cabbages and kings," was quite at her best, and ber performance was a clever and consistent piece of characterisation. Miss

Ethel Bash ford played a m'iserable part heart-breakingly enough, _ and Miss Kate Towers was responsible for one of'the best character sketches of the pipy as Mrs Bkmey. Mr Harry Sweeney played the part of Leonard Wilmor'o naturally and appealingly, and the general support, from the remainder of the company was consistently good. ''The Hypocrites" will bo stayed again to-r.ight. OPERA ilOUSi'k ■There was a very large audience at the Opera House last evening, when the Empire Picture-Vaudeville Company presented a thoroughly successful entertainment. In addition to the items of the new programme presented during the previous week,, a new turn was given for the first time by Karle's performing animals. Six well-trained dogs, a goat showing considerably more wisdom than, is .generally ascribed to the animal, and a pony gave an interesting performance: The most attractive item was that given, by a. collie dog which jumped both long and high obstacles. The same programme will bo'given this evening. '_ ■* FULLER'S PICTURES. There was another large attendance at the Colosseum last evening, and the pictures shown by Messrs Fuller and Sons were verv successful, particularly '•'The Way of the World./'_ To-night the same films will be exhibited. PATHE PICTURES. The current week's entertainment programme was repeated by the Hayward proprietary at the Alexandra Hall last evening before a large audience, and the various items were very favourably received. The same programme will be shown to-night.