THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 253, 13 July 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By "Sylvius.")

"Binn, Boys'" I roubles, The sinking of thii Winimora caused a good deal of lipsettiiif; iii niKiiy directions. The "Ding Hoys" Company wero to liuvo coino through from Adelaide lo join the U'iuimera at Sydney for Auckland, but the loss of that ves?el necessitated ii complete change of plans, and tho company had to coine. direct from Melbourne to Wellington by the Wostrnlia, a trip that occupied ilvo days eight hours. For a time it was doubtful whether the company would coino at all, as many of its members judged that what (»uhl happen to the Wimmera could ' happen lo any other steamer, mid they inado upthoir minds not to come to New Zealand. The position became so acute that; legal noticed were served on these members of the company who did not wish to make the trip, calling their attention to the terms of their contract or engagement. Kven Unit did not •persuade them all that a trip to 2\'ew Zt.iland wa's a healthy one. but the majority resolved to tako whatever chances there might be, and come on,■arriving hero on Monday evening last. It is said that at least one popular comedian established a now record for ' himself by sleeping in his clotliM every night, and under tho circumstances one cannot blame him. Cecil Haines Praised. All those who -lake an interest in local talent, and the many thousands who must. have, heard her recite and act, will be pleased to hear that Miss Cecil Ilniues (who was such a favourite in Wellington) has been giving a delightful performance in "Tho M'nsquornder" with Mr. Guy Hates. P6M (,f. and N. T«it management), T/his clever child has one important scone which is introduced effectively to show that even tho quick intuition of a child cannot detect the difference between tho dual characters assumed by Mr. Bates—tho drug-fiend John Chilcote, M.1 , , (it.is founded on tho novel of that juune), and the cool, clean, alert Loder. . Cecil is quite unspoilt by her success, and likes her part immensely. Mr. Post says that she is the most! gifted child he has ever been associated with v on tho slage. "Sans-Gene" in Grand Opera. Old opera-goers who remember Umlierto Giordano's opera "Fedora", will be interested to learn that ho has made a success with another Sardoii drama, "Madamo Sans-Gene," . .of which the tenth representation was given at the Metropolitan, New York,' during March. Qcrnldino Farrar, who ' created -the name-part for America in January, 1914, repeated her forcible and oxuiberant impersonation of the Du'elipss of Danbio, with', Aniato : in. the central (baritone) volo as Napoleon, and' (is Lofebvre. "Fedora" was produced 'at Sydney Her Majesty's about lii years ago, under Signer llazon, : and. made a considerable ■ impression , with . Dalia'-j liassich in the- niiine-part, »jid Cado Daui as Loris IpanolV. The tenor song "lo f Amo," to harp accompaniment was one of Daiii's most touching efforts. Ilazon. brought the opera to Australia nearly two years before it reached England, whero it was , ' put on at'Covont Garden, and there also Giordano's "Siberia" was tried. . But the only per-ma-nont success by this composer before "Madame Sans-Geno" seems to havo lwen "Andrea Chenier," a work which has not reached Australasia. The tlienio of Giordano's newest opera has been nsed very ell'ectively ns a comic opera under tho title of "The Duchess of Danlzic," never played in New Zealand, but quito a success in Australia. Nans-Gene was Miss Florence.. Young's finest performance. "The Thirteenth Chair." From the Sydney papers it is gathered that "Tho.'Thirteenth Clmir" (Bayard V eiller's latest play) made a deep inipvessionim all who witnessed its first production on June 29, and Miss Margaret Wycherley, who sustains tho leadim; role, is being given the .highest enconiums for a wonderfully natural yet thrilling performance. As .to the plot: Spencer Lee has been stabbed to death in his chambers—by whom .no- one , knows. ■■■ But -his -friend Edward Wales, and Inspector Douohiuu.knoW'that just> before'tho crime Lee-was visited by a woman whose , mission was to secure some compromising letters. Jtoscoo Crosby, a millionaire is entertaining the friends of his son v Will, who is to be married to Helen CrNeill. He is congratulated by all save Wales. . By the grace- of his hostess,.Wnks has arranged a.diversion for tli6 guests in the .'form of a spiritualistic seance with fiosalie .'..la Grange (.Miss AVycherlcy) as the medium. 1 Seven women and six men sit down in the conventional circle. Wales takes the thirteenth chair. Bosalie, after creating a sensation in breaking the circle by a hoary old device, asks to be tied hand and foot, to her chair. Then from the Egyptian darkness in which the thirteen sit there, come the groans of. the medium. After that silence. Next the eerie voice ot' "Laughing Eyoa," the ghostly child messenger to the.medium from ,the Other Places. ' "He wants Ned. . • . Ned." \ "Who is it?" "Spencer wants Ned. . . . Why in hell, doesn't Ned answer?" "What is.it?" ■ ... "Ho says letters . . . pain in the buck; . . .Oh, it hurts so. ... ;" "Are you trying to tell me .who killed yon? . . . Who killed you!;. . Tho name! . . Quick, the.name! . . . Alt; God! my back!"- ..' .'..■' "Lights, son!" The voice is that of Koscdo Crosby,/ and Will obeys on tho instant. Into the midst of. tho broken circle there- topples..from tlic thirteenth chair the lifeless form of what had been Edward Wales. On tho point of discovering tho name of his friend's assassin, he, too, has. been stricken down in the saiuo manner. Tho ouo who killed Lee is amongst those'ot" the twelve left—now'with a second, victim. The. tragedy does not nearly conclndo■tho thrills, which continue to the end of tho play—and that without any frills or padding. Miss Wychorley said sho had been concerned in five different productions of tho play, arid that in Sydney was tho best. Great praise is given to Lizetto Parkes for her 'compelling wort .as Helen O'Neill. Theatre Privileges. ' ' , The Acting-State Commandant of Vietoriii has boon notified of further concessions to Anzacs on furlough . By local theatrical managements, and free admission will lie granted on production of posses which aro to be issued by Captain Mathaw, stafi , officor for invalided returned soldiers. At the Theatre Eoyal and Her Majesty's Theatres ten seats will bo reserved each night, except Wednesdays and Saturdays. The manage-' ment of the Princess and Bijou Theatres will open its doors'to' tho .Auzacs nightly, except Saturday, and nt the Palace.on any night, including Saturday, if there is accommodation, A dozen Beats will be provided at the' King's and Tivoli Theatres each night except Saturday. Notes. The oft-rcilerated re|K>n that Miss Isabel Wilford, of Wellington, is about to go on the professional stage is not correct. So far the taking? week by week at "ICiitinkn" in 'Melbourne lave beaten "The Merry Widow" returns, which means fhat "Katinkn" is the higgest RiiccejN the Williamson firm has over had in the domain of light opera. Whether it will run ps long remains to lie seen.