AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11480, 13 January 1903, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THE -SHERLOCK HOLMES" SEASON. TUe play of "Sherlbek Holmes," which Mi- Williamson introduced to Christohurch theatre-goers last night, differs entirely alike in construction and the -working out of the incidents, from any previous dramatic production seen here. It does not rely so much upon dialogue as is the case with most modern plays—indeed, for four acts .the amount of talking done by the various characters is exceedingly small —but rather on what may be called strikingly exciting and dramatic- picture* illustrative of perhaps the strangest and most weird story told on the stage. Quite a* sensational as and more interesting than any melodramatic play, ''Sherlock Holmes" stands far above this kind of piece in the sinipe of artistic power of construction. It is a play of most intenee interest, not s.> much for what is spoken as for the facial expression and what may be called the posing of the principal figures in the dramatic picture. This ie perhaps more noticeable in the firs* act, in tie remarkable scene between Mr and Mrs Larrabee and Sherlock Holmes. , The whole effect of that scene—and it is full of power and intensity—is gained, not alone by the actual words «pok«n, but the artistic expression, toy gesture, etc., of the different emotions which sway the actors in it. This being so, it will at once be seen that unless those . engaged in the pourtruyal ■ oi the various characters have not only considerable histrionic ability, but what is even more important, the power of impressing 'the audience by the expression, facially and otherwise, of the intention* of the author tue play could not be a success. Ail those engaged in the pieoe last night, from vie principals to the moat subordinate character, were able to do this, and henoe the undoubted and unqualified success • which attended the initial production. The character of Sherlock Holniee, as depicted by Mr Gillette, and so admirably delineated by Mr Ha*tinge, is a mast difficult one to play. It ia £0 full of all kinds of points calling for extraordinary artistic ability ia tb* higbeet walks of character acting*Rβ to make its .•successful reproduction a work of considerable difficulty. How admirably Mr Haetings (succeeded in conquering this was eeen in his performance Jaet night. The part stood out clean cut as a cameo, and one forgot, in witnessing; its pourtrayal, that it was acting, so natural wae it. In the scenes with Mr and .urn Larabee, in that exciting and powerfully played one with Professor -uoriarty, rind timt'etill more intense, tW> conclusion of tbe third act, Mr Hastings, though acting with all the power requisite, was yet thoroughly natural. He never exaggerated, and gave throughout the pieoe a fine exemplification of true acting—the art which conceals art. The fourth act fails away somewhat towards the finale, and perhaps this waa where Mr Hastings seemed rather to fall off. But it mi, no doubt, the re-action to a quiet scene after the stirring incidents of the preceding three acte which made this impression on one. Taken as a whole, the performance was a really magnificent one. To some extent, but only in a limited degree, the other characters in the cast are subordinate to Sherlock Holmes, but they are ail necessary, and were excellently played. Mws I'abel Lone gave a very fine impersonation indeed of Madge Larrabee. J Her facial expression and pourtraval of re- [ jirfssed passion in the scene with Sherlock Holmes in the first act was excellent, as j indeed was her playing of the part throughout the piece. In the scene in Dr. Watson's consulting Toom Mies Lane acted with considerable ability and power. The purts of Alice Faulkwr and Mrs Faulkner IVere filled by Miss Chevalier and Miss Heri bert satisfactorily, though the former lacked !rtennity somewhat in the last act. Miss Minnie Tern- made a good French maid. and Miss Julia Morton made the most of the few 'men allotted to Mrs Smeedley. i Mr H. H. Stewart's James I-arrabee was an excellent performance. Without any I exaggeration Mr Stewart gave a powerful I representation of tbe unprincipled scoundrel and criminal. Another clever performance j was that of Mr Atbolwood aa Professor , Moriarty. The part was wonderfully wetl j pourtrayed, and in the scene with Sherlock H(»lmes in thp second act, where he »t- I tempts to kill him, Mr Atholwood was remukubly good. Master Redge Carey, as Billy the pa«e boy of Sherlock Holme*, played the character with a force and ability which "elicited "much enthusiasm from the audience. Mr Hare both looke! and acted the part of Dr. Watson we?l, an-J the other characters were creditably filled. The piece was beautifully staged, the novelty of tbe scenes growing as it wers out of space and disappearing *t the end (■f the act«, beinj? marvellously effective in the direction of increasing the" myntenr attaching to the working out of tbe piece. " Sherlock Holmes" will b? lepcated tonight. THE DIX PANTOMIME SEAiSON. There was a very good attendance at the Opera Honse last iiitiht, when the Dix Gaiety Company repeated their programme vtry successfully The Company appear to-night. On Monday next Mr P. R. Dix will produce a pontomime—the first for many years. The subject will be " Dick Whittington and bis Cat," and a strong special Company has been engaged. The box plan will "be opened on Friday 2KXt>