MURDER IS DONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17040, 14 May 1923, Page 6

MURDER IS DONE.

A SATURDAY TRAGEDY. NOISE AND STILL MORE NOISE. “Murdered in a Hash Hoh*©”—a beilowdrama sublime—was the play chosen by the Canterbury College atudanta for Saturday night's revels, and • Lady Bella” made her initial en trance attired in a Sunshine chintz <sres» with beautiful red panels on either side. Her hat, & dream, was of the sailor variety. The crown was high, the brim narrow. Her earrings were grapes, tastefully bunched, making their appearance from beneath flaxen liair. Her white, half-eilk stockings, blue garters and Parisian shoes completed her visible attire—at least till the fainting scene.

Her bosom friend. Dame Bffi oaoious Oardalicu*, the only other feminine ‘‘lead,” wore a no less expressive ooetume. A green jumper, reminiscent of cotter London, a. bltie costume skirt, white stockings and pumps were her share. But she wore a bouquet attached to her jumper. Her hsir was of auburn hue—only more so—and would insist on ooming down. The prologue introduced an inebriate scene shifter, verily a man of many parts. He told a dismal story and told it well. Of oouree, his words would wonder with his feet, and his facial gymnastics told the tale of a heavy day after a heavier night. He left after completing his work, which, if the large cardboard sign was to be believed, converted the stage into

** L’Avenue des Abattoirs,” the homo of the titled Bella. It was sll so realistic.

The first scene was all so full. So, too, were the principals. Bella, her father, her husband, Martin, Earl of Washdyke, and Freddie Earl Cookes comb, all appeared. The situation wa-* intense. Bella, in the all-too-willing arms of her lover, was discovered by her husband. Dame Effie. scenting a row, called for the police, who came not, and the play oontinued, but not till the gauntlet had been thrown ano the challenge accepted.

The faint into which Bella fell was enormous. She was at last able to answer the doctor’s solicitude and, 6ay ing 99. rose to her feet. At this stage it was becoming rather difficult to follow correctly the turaul tuous progre-ss of event*. Than the duel. It was most- repre sentative of 100 years hence, as we anticipated. It was fought, not with pistols or gloves, but with the rapier of the wood of Old England. Interested spectators were there. Their costumes ontdid the wo menfolk, for checks of all hues blended with green, scarlet, blue, pur pie and mauve garments. But, of course, tastes are sure to change in the next hundred years.

Lord Frederick lay dead. The duel was over, honour satisfied. But acro«.» the body of her lover lay Bella, dea*l of a broken heart. The scene shifte r removed the bodies. 'The curtain fell in sympathy. The play was a masterpiece—there will never be another like it.