OPERA HOUSE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12840, 11 December 1911, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

"CLIOS AND PHYLETES" TO : NIGHT I Sinco " The Fall of Troy" was released by the ltala Company, the trade has had no other subject which in any way approaches- it in the direction of vivid and daring staging. The highest praise- wo can give this subject, therefore, is to say that it challenges \com;parison with Troy on every., point—in acting, depth of staging, Sustained in- _ .terest of plot ahel daring effects. " Clios ■ and Phyletes" will certainly rank among the few subjects which are talk'f YM of by' tlio publici^rtioiiihs after they have been shown. King ■ Diodemes has consented to the union of ■ his daughter Clios with the gallant patrician Phyletes. A sccno of Buperb depth shows " tho King in full Court announcing his approval of the betrothal; when tho arrival is announced of King Hexer, i monarch of the neighbouring estate, who is received with every honour by Diodemes. Hexer is struck by . Clios' . beauty, and asks her hand in marriage. I Phyletes pas-sionately asserts his rights, ! and Hexer, on his request being refused by Diodomes, leaves with his warriors, threatening a war' of vengeance. A > shepherd *: is the first to warn the city \ that the savage King is about to fulfil his threat. From his post on the hills outside the city, he sees the approaching ,h.oßts of Hexer, ;and* hurries to the place■ to warn - his fellows. The gates shut/but taking advantage of a momentary slackness, tho barbarian* force an entry. Vivid scenes of the fighting, as th 6 wankiofß,plung^ into the town, while the defenders on tho ramparts hurl huge boulders down upon their 3 heads, are given. Diodemes, wounded, 3 takes to flight, but Clios becomes tho > captive of Hexer.- Part 11., Phyletes, s though in anguish at the capture, of his i betrothed, conducts Diodemes to a shep- ; herd's hut, where he leaves him in cafeM ty while he! returns to the city to res- ) .quo Phyletes gams entrance . j-io the^palace after traversing tho ruin- ! Ed c'i^yr by'nieans of a cellar, when, '; ' determined to! destroy the barbarians, Ho: casts; a torch down 'among the bar- .'■• rels of wine. In the excitement caused by the news that the palace is on fire, i Phyletes succeeds in gaining access to ' Hexer's apartments unnoticed. -Hexer, •attempting to embrace Clios, is attacked by Phyletes, who leaves him stunned while, ho flies with his betrothed from the burning palace. The barbarian warrior.') find and revive Hexer, and the latter leads them in pursuit of the lovers. A series of wonderful stage scenes follows. Tho collapse of the palace saves them. "' This is a masterpiece of realism, the huge pillars of the building"falling and being shattered to pieces as they strike the ground, while tho flames gain an even firmer grip. Hexer and his officers perish in the ruins, whilo Phyletes successfully carries Clios to the shepherd's hut, where 1, with Diodemes, they watch tho burning I city in safety. Other strong pictures arc included in tho programme. The box plan is at H. I. Jones<tand Son's, and as tho booking has already started Monday night's patrons of Fullers' would bo wise to book their seats early and savo disappointment. As Mr Hogan will be given an opportunity to address the electors, the Opera 'Houso will undoubtedly bo filled.