AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17288, 2 October 1916, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL,

" THE MERCHANT OF VENICE,

A term of four years separates the presentation of a Shakespearean play by Oscar Aselio and tho season which opened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. That tho people aro eager to see the national poet's works was demonstrated by tho large audience which filled tho theatre and marked its approval of what it saw by irecjMeiit ebullitions of enthusiasm. Colonial audiences do not sec Shakespeare on the stage very often, and tho long absences, though they make tho heart fonder, must tond to tt weakeniug of discrimination and to what is actually a poorer appreciation of tho plays—no one seeks benefits in blind adulation. So that Allan Wilkie at tho outset must be thanked for the opportunity of seeing the plays under tho conditions for which they were written, and for the chauco to renew the pleasures of controversy as to what is or what is not the proper reading of this or that line, what the proper phrasing for that passage, and what the proper shading for this character. There can be no doubt that Mr Wilkie's presentation of " The Merchant of Venice," at least, will provide much material for discussion aiming those who know their Shakespeare. Though he has opened his season in Christchurch with a play which sjscar Asche presented hero in his never-to-be-ior-gotton season, Mr Wilkio does not challenge comparison. Tho two productions are on different planes. Mr Asche vitalised Shakespeare with tho genius of modern stagecraft, wrought the miracle of making his plays seem the work of the,present age, in fact, treated the national poet as a living force rather than a musty corpse to be reverenced with the rites and liveries of ancient days. Tho drama must move forward, and the greatness of Shakespeare lies in the fact that ho belongs to all ages and is not a mero heirloom. Mr Wilkio's production was loss ambitious' in every way, a venture launched on narrower seas, the interpretation of the play by means of penultimate methods. It was a revival of the Shakespeare of the previous generation. By-play had a larger share in tho production, moro so than is usual, in fact, and wherever possible comedy was utilised to brighten the progress of the play, which proceeded rapidly and easily. Mr Asche's Shylock was cast in an heroio mcntld. Ho was a giant of tragedy, tho embodiment of national passion. Ono realised that in him the poet was delineating something moro than a mero personal combat between the Jow and the Merchant. Even i" tho hurricane force of his hate, Shylock was a tremendous magnet, and when tho Christian laws of Venice, as harsh as tho Jew's bond, tricked him of his vengeance and stripped him of his very life, one pitied tho Jew, where it was impossible to love him. It was tho force of stupendous tragedy. Mr Wilkie tries to iind none of these things. His Shylock is a moneylender with a thirst for revenge, he is one in a contest of individuals. His presentation of tho part, within the limitations he has set himself, is interesting though inclining to a studied emphasis which at times gives weight to the dialogue without an equivalent of power. Mr Asche made Shylock s grief at the discourse of Jessica's elopment a boisterous business, but Mr Wilkie takes the scene with commendable quietness. With Mr Asche, tho Jew stumbled on to tho revenge upon Antonio. Mr Wilkio's Shylock plans it from the outset, and yet withal he is a less subtlo character. Mr Wilkie may, in these times, suffer in comparison with an actor using more modern method;;, but ho is to bo congratulated on ft performance calculated to attract the interest of his audience and to arrest the attention of the Shakespearean Btudents of these days.

Frediswyde Hunter-Watts presents Portia as'the young girl the poet intended her to be. Sho is not a Blur? Stocking, but a young woman, full of life and resource. It is be wondered at, therefore, that Miss HunterWatts is at her best in the comedy episodes. In the trial sceno sho elected to present the pict'aro of the youthful Portia simulating tho young doctor and speaking with her voice pitched low to suggest male tones. Tho "Mercy" as a result lost in effect, where tho scene may have gained in its picture of the real Portia. Tho last act, the anticlimax, was a fine revel of comedy, and Miss Hunter-Watts was tho very embodiment of happy youthfulness. _lt was the best sceno of the play. Walter Hunt, after a cold commencement as Bassanio, improved, and his handling of the Casket scene was excellent in every way. John Cave made Antonio the figure of simple dignity that ono always imagines him to be. He was natural and spoke his lines easily and yet wth a seruunilous regard for their music. Really an excellent Antonio. Vivian Edwards, though too weighty for the light-headed chatterbox, Gratinno. was, with this limitation, decidedly attractive in liis natural handing of his work. His attire, however, was rather sombre for Gratiano. Edward Landor was an excellent Gobbo. Miss Elwyn Harvey was a charming Jessica, tint a surprisingly fair one, and Miss Valentine Sidney was a tower of strength in the comedy scenes as Nerissa. The scenery included some fine examples of the scenic painter's art ,and the dressing, though not elaborate, was good. "The Merchant of Venice" will be repeated to-night. To-morrow evening " Hamlet" will be presented-

OPERA HOUSE. To-night a number of new star artists will make their lirst appearance at tho Opera House. These comprise tho Robert I>o Mont Trio, who are seen in a turn which is billed as America's fastest novelty act; the Twa Wee M'Colls, two clever juvenile Scottish entertainers; and Clarke and Wallace, English palter comedians, singers and simultaneous dancers. The Bert La Blano Musical Travesty Stars will present their fifth and final revuo jn Ohristchurch, as this clever combination will not appear after this week. The new revuo is entitled " At tho .Exposition," and is said to be even more laughable and pleasing than the previous productions. T»e remaining members of tho programme are Los Logerts, Continental equilibrists and gymnasts, and Tho Arteens, with their clover little dog Jessie. Madge Maitland. " The Irish Girl from America," will commence her season here on October 16.

PICTURE SHOWS. " At Bay," a picture said to break new ground, will be the chief item on tho new programme at His Majesty's Theatre to-night, The > film is the first of the Pathc 'Gold Rooster" productions taken in the now studio erected in America, claimed to bo the largo.it and best-equipped picture studio m tho world. Miss Florence Kocd, the successful star actress, has been entrusted witli the part of a many-sided woman, who. nlaying with ttro, is fortunate to escape from its consequences. As a beautiful society girl, she comes under the influence of a rogue, and, against her father's wishes, marries him, only to become a victm of an Un _ scrupulous gang of blacknailers. Tho supporting subjects include an official war film, '"With tho Naral Squadron in tho Mediterranean," aid tho popular weekly war topical aid a clever animated cartoon. A four-reel drama entitled •'VTho White Hope" will bo the loading item

on this week's programme at Everybody's Theatre. The story deals with a young man who, induced by an ambitious manager, enters for a boxing match with the world's champion. A prettv love romance is interwoven. "Tho fight scenes are said to bo remarkably realistic. Tho hero not only wins tho championship but also the hand of the girl he loves. Other items include the latest "(..ailment War Graphic," a scenic picture entitled "The Valley of Trossoney, and "Jerry's Big Lark," a comedy featuring George Ovey. Tho new programme presented at tno Grand Theatre on Saturday was headed by a Metro production entitled * lho Wall Between," iu which the wellknown players Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Pnvno were seen to groat advantage. Tho photography was very good, and tho scenery was exceptionally fine, tho battle scenes being most realistic. The story deals with army life in America iu tho early days, there is a strong supporting programmo, in which the principal item is a MetroDrew comedy entitled In© Burst. The same pictures will bo shown to-day, with the addition of the hßh instalment of " The Broken Com serial. To-day tho change of programme at the Queen's Tjheatro will be headed by a iiliiit m.ifiduoed by the Chios Company, entitled -'Tho Circus of Death It is a sequel to "The Jockey of Death, produced at tho same theatre some time ago, and is said to be full or e*c!ttng situations. The story concerns the lovo and secret marriage of a prince and a trapeze performer in a circus. Through unexpected circumstances tho prince is compelled to assume tho position of ruler of his country, and believing his wile dead contracts another marriage. In, the meantime tho girl is cast out of her homo and is adopted by gipsies, where alio undergoes some exciting experiences. Finally she returns to her lather and is forgiven aud again takes up lire m tho circus. In addition to the star picture an interesting supporting programme will be screened. A well-balanced selection of entertaining films will bo introduced at Star-land Theatre to-day. The bill is headed with a five-part Bed Feather drama, entitled "Two Men of Sandy Bar." which is constructed lroni the oxce'llent material contained in Bret Hnrte's story'- The film is .highly entertaining and the story is said to bo as' attractive as in the book. Other items on the programmo are the "P3clair Journal." containing the latest war news and an Ivy Close comedy entitled "Two Elderly Cupids." Tho star picture of the new programme to bo presented at tho Globe Theatre try-day will bo a Triangle-Koy-stone enmody entitled " Fickle Fatty's Fall," featuring Roscoe Arbuckle. The other pictures on the list are two 'dramas, "Her Partner" and "A Squared Account," a Chaplin cartoon, a "Topical Budget" and a scenic film. The new programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre this evening will be headed by the Pathe drama, "At Bay," featuring Florence Reed. An official war film, showing the naval squadron in the Mediterranean, gives a good idea of naval life, and other pictures will be a cartoon showing the irrepressible Mutt and Jeff, and tho latest rjumlwor of tho " Gaumont Graphic."