CHRISTCHURCH NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 14 May 1908, Page 17

CHRISTCHURCH NOTES.

My Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes:—The Geach Co. has been serving up ‘‘The Heart of a Hero,” all hot, with “trimmings” of red-fire and lime-light effects, to Theatre Royal audiences, since my last. The piece is cut on the pattern of the good old-style melodrama, with lots of battle, murder and sudden death in it. Also heaps if villainy, cheers, tears, and laughter. It takes (as per usual) five acts and much slaughter before the bad bold man is finally bowled out, the virtuous hero dries, the eyes of the lovely and greatly persecuted heroine, and everybody lives happily ever after. We are promised a revival of “The Midnight Hour” for Saturday. Mr Geach has sent us better companies that this, but probably none that have made more money for him, which shows that melodrama is what the public wants. That, and musical comedy. The Pollard Co. had a splendid season here, and Mr Pollard is looking forward to a money-making tour of the Commonwealth. The Quealeys (Harry and the missus) and “Insect” Albert, are. most valuable members of the combination, and in little Bert Nicholson, friend Tom has seemingly got hold of a second . Percy. In fact the ancient glories of the Pollard Go. are revived, and if our old friend Fred. Duval was only occupying his former post with the show it would .be quite old times. However, Mr Schatz makes an admirable avant courier, and is very popular.

■ Frank Thornton is due here in July, when we are to see ‘ ‘When Knights were Bold,” the piece which is making all London laugh, and has been doing sb for nearly 600 night at the time of writing. The Flemming Co. regard Christchurch as a splendid show-town, and have booked a return season for next year already.

“Me and’Er,” the new , Graham-Dent cockney sketch, has caught right on at Fuller’s. It is certainly clever. Other popular turns at this house are provided by Fred Bransgrove,. “double-voiced vocalist;” Eva Lee and her piccaninnies and a heap of others. A favourite amusement of the “gods” at out brand-new Theatre Royal is, from their lofty position in the gallery to pelt the occupants of the stalls beneath with pellets of paper, etc. A successful shot is the signal for a roar of laughter from the other galleryites. This sort of thing would not be tolerated in an East-End “gaff” in London. Here we bear its , and do our best to grin.