"AFTER SIX DAYS."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 9

"AFTER SIX DAYS."

"THE CHRISTIAN." QUEEN'S THEATRE, MOXDAY. A brilliant programme is to to submitted at the Queen's Theatre next wook, "After Six Days," a great spectacular picture, heading the hill. For pure story-telling interest alone this picture would ho singled out for notice in tho most illustrious company, for it tells tho story of the beginning of Time, tho creation und drama of humanity, down through tho pootry and wisdom and wars of the Old Testament, ending with tho sensuous magnificence of tho reign of Solomon. Surely there is 110 story in all the world an fascinating and deeply dramatic as the one which this picture tells, clothed in splendid material beauty, shining with great loves, great tragedies, great feats, reverent and obviously Biblical throughout. AH tho groat characters and events of the Old Law are a logical part of this drama, blending finely into tho cohesive course of the story, and directed with skill, acted with discern■p.'cnt, produced with scholarly accuracy and lavish splendour. All Europe and Asia wore searched for ancient manuscripts dealing with those early times, so that the picture would bo able to stand as an achievement to thrill and intviguo the most learned men, and this it has done. As a document, an expression, it is priceless, as an event of dramatic entertainment, it is superb. Its story is original, yet it is as old as tho world itself. But it has never been, told before through tho powerful medium of the stage or screen, thus it fascinates with its newness. The manner of ■ its presentation is expressed in exotio and lavish strokes, tho settings, costumes, habits, even the modes of speech being a glimpse back into a dead era. The roles are enacted by an allstar cast, all of whom play their parts with consummate skill, and none of whom can be singled out as outstanding. All are wonderful artists;

Hall Caine-is represented in "The Christian" on the second part cri the programme, a picturo in which Richard Dijc plays the title role. Perhaps' this book is the most widely-read of this author's, whose works have spread throughout the world a story which is a brilliantly-conceived piece of satire and, at the same time, pure Christian drama. It is a combination, incongruous on the surface, that only this author could possibly accomplish, and blending tragedy and romance, quaint comedy and sensation into tlie literary composition of tho story, he achieves a masterpiece of entertainment. The picture has deleted nothing from the original, and as John Storm, Richard Dix gives a sterling charaoteriso-" tion. Mae Buscli, Aileen Pringlo, Phyllis Havor, and Joseph Dowling are 6ome of the stars appearing in support of Dix. The box plans are at Web'.ey's, whero seats may be reservtd.