"MID-CHANNEL" IN SYDNEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 4

"MID-CHANNEL" IN SYDNEY.

For the first time since its inauguration the Sydney Repertory Society has fulfilled its pufyosc, and given us something really worth while, writes ''W," in the Sydney "Sunday limes." lam referring;, to tho excellent production of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's play, "MidChannel," which was .produced at a special matinee at the Criterion Theatre under the auspices of this society last Monday afternoon. Tho performance was a fine dramatic treat to those whoso theatrical intellects had long beea starred upon the spineless, useless dishes served up to them, lately by some of our non-entor-' prising . local managements. There! was one great fault, however, which did much to mar the pleasant impression of the afternoon, and that was the disgracefully noisy behaviour of the audience. I found it extremely difficult to credit the fact that the simpering idiots surrounding me were—a large part of them at least—members of a society formed for tho express purpose of giving an intellectual uplift to our local stage. And a , feeling of disgust crept , over me when I realised how like unto "casting pearls before swi.no" was the offering a well-acted Pinero play to people of this kind. Behind sonic ''nearintellectual a3s" explained, frequently wrongly, tho various psychological phases of the performance to his simpering partner, who returned in like kind with a running firo of information. about tho antecedents and peculiarities of each player on. tlws stage, .■.;' : , ■■ Of the play itself and the manner.in which it was presented, too much cannot be said in praise. Every actor and actress in the cast did excellent work, with tho exception of Mr. Arthur Styan and Mr. Itoginald Wykeham. ■ '■'.' :■ ■.;,; In the case of Mr. Arthur Styari, his artistic and splendidly-conceived study of the diameter of Poter Mottrain deserves something more than the com-mon-place- adjectiro "excellent." It was a veritable artistic triumph, a' magnificent exhibition of the aetor's art. ' ' .■■ '■.;:> , .!' , V;:Mr. Reginald Wykpham, unfortunate. ly, did not seem to understand the role of the pig-headed husband ho plavnd; Although his work was a long ..way ■'from' being absolutely bad, ho was iiist; the. weakest spot in a fine cast. ■;?■. ' .-■'.■s- , :-:a

Two rival conferences of Arbitral ioii: Act unions arc now being promoted'. The' original 'proposal came from the Ohine-" twin Batteries ■ 'Kniployops , ' UnionOViiihi), which issued a. ,; circular i'd> other unions. This led to the/AiickliiidUnion Secretaries' ■ Assoeiatinn'-'holcSinV