THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18481, 8 September 1925, Page 13

THEATRE ROYAL.

"QUO VADIS ?"

"Quo Yadis?" the spectacular picture drama, is attracting large houses to the Theatre Royal, and those -who have "been fortunate enough to see the production to date have not •been disappointed in any respect.

In all the range of historical romance there is probably no epic with a mere general appeal than that which relates the struggles, and ultimate triumph, of early Christendom against the concentrated poncr of the Roman Empire. Apart from historical works dealing with this phase of the world's history (their number is legion), many authors have found inspi.:". i.m is>r r :,iuiitic fiction in the struggles of the Christian pioneers i ,ic tyrannies cr Aero and the forces of evil allied with him. Of these works the greatest is unquestionably the ; 'Quo Vadis?" of Uenry Sienhiewiez—one of the "best sellers" of its day—and one still to be found in most collections of books. In his graphic story of the ea.'iy Church the author lias woven a fascinating romance or the life and love 01 one of Xer. 's favourite generals, Yir.icius. .It is with the story of Vinicius tiiut the picturedrama principally deals, though Nero, one of - the world's most infamous characters, is scarcely ever missing from the sotting.

Prior u> the screening of the film an introductory sci'iiu is sl-ped, depicting revels at the Court of -'-"era. Twelve ballet dancers pertorm some graceful ballets, led hy M Arline Pw.ver. to thc ohvious satisfaction of a sufficiently evil-looking,, Seio. .Miss Millicent Jennings sings "Burning Kisses," a>idsome young ladies give ;j good account of themselves, vocally, iu thc "Miserere" music from "II Trovatore." The overture introduces t.hfi "Pilgrims' Chorus" from "Tannhauser." and vocal effects arc suitably supplied by a party of male voices off tho stage.