"AFTER SIX DAYS."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18895, 10 January 1927, Page 13

"AFTER SIX DAYS."

„.. « "THE CHRISTIAN." QUEEN - 'S THEATRE, TO-DAY. . A brilliant programme is to be submitted at the Queen's Theatre this week, "After Six Days," a great spectacular picture, heading the bill. For pure story-telling interest alone this picture would be singled out for notice in the most illustrious company, for it tells the story of the beginning of Time, the creation and drama of humanity, down through the poetry and wisdom and wars of the Old Testament, ending with the sensuous magnificence of the reign of Solomon. Surely there is no story in all the wor'.d as fascinating and deeply dramatic as the one which this picture tells, clothed in splendid material beauty, shining with great loves, groat tragedies, great feats, reverent and obviously Biblical throughout. All the great characters and events of tho Old Law nip a logical part of this drama, blending finely into the cohesive course of the story, and directed with skill, acted with discernment, produced with scholarly accuracy and lavish splendour. All Europe and Asia were searched for ancient manuscripts dealing with those early times, so that the picture would be able to stand as an achieve-ment-to thrill and intrigue the most learned men, and this it has done. As a document, an expression, it is priceless, as an event of dramatic entertainment, it iB superb. Its story is original, yet it is as old as the world itself. But it has never been told before through the powerful medium of the stage or screen, thus it fascinates with its newness. The manner of its presentation i> expressed in exotic and lavish strokes, the settings, costumes, habits, even the modes of speech being a glimpse back into a dead era. The voice 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.

Hull Caine is represented in "The Christian'' on the second part o- the programme, ... picture in which liichard Dix plays the titl-j 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 i 3 a combination, incongruous on the surface, Miat only uiis author could possibly accomplish, an* blending tratedv and romance, quaint comsdy and ultrasensation into the literary composition of the story, he achieves a masterpiece of entertainment. The picture lias deleted nothing from the original, and as John Storm liichard Dix £ives a sterling characterisation. Mae Busch, Aileen Pringle, Phvllis Haver, and Joseph Dowlin; are some of" the stars appearing in support of Dix-. The box 3 >lans are at Web'.cy's, where seats ruav be reserved.