AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16252, 1 July 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "The Shamrock acd the Rose," which was presented for the firet time at the theatre Royal on Saturday night by the A. BrandonCrcmer Co., ia melodrama of the real oldfashioEed, nerve-Jiri ling type, the kind of thing one would be liable to dream about after supping heavily oa lobs-er-saiad, pickles, and other such indigesiible comestibles. From beginning to end it teems with villainy, heroic bravery, the outrageous persecution of two lovers, farcical comedy, and all kinds of impossible, or at least very highiy improbable situations. There is a villain whose crimes range from trapping a girl into a bogus marriage to the murder of nis father, witn all kinds of dark schemes and actions in between. He, of course, deeirea to recoup his fallen fortunes by wedding tho wealthy heroine, and his schemes uaturaily bring upon the lady's true lover all kinds/ of fiendish and unjust accusations and numerous tear-provoking situations. Consis ent with the stereotyped theme of melod:ama, there is the large-hearted comedy man who always appears in the nick of time to fiustrate the villain's plans, and ultimately straightens the wholo tangle out by brisking home guilt to its proper quarter. There is the inevitable wronged woman, whoso troubles lie at the door of the villain; there are the usual quite impossible policemen, and altogether the piece is about oa totally different from real life as melodrama could possibly be. Mr Brandon-Cremer's object, however, is by no means to produce Shakespeare. It is to provide the public with drama at cheap rates, and the popularity of his scheme was again demonstrated by the large attendance on Saturday night. Notwithstanding its host of defects, tho piece proved interesting enough, and was capably handled, on the whole by the company. Some of the 6cenery, too, was by no means bad. Mr Bran-don-Cremer himself was the life and soul of the play in the nart of Dandy Drjrraven, tho humorous Irish gossoon, whose loyalty to hero and heroine and whose uncanny habit of always being exactly where he was wanted, no matter how unusual the circumstances, ultimately bror~ht about the hanpy ending. Mr Brandon-Crcmer's natural gift for comedy work again stood him in good stead, and ho was a prime favourite with the andience. Mr Kenneth Carlisle was admirably cast as the villain. Incidentally he showed wonderful vitality, for although the end of one scene found him in the process of being choked, another saw him clubbed by Dandy amongst the cliffs, a third showed him knocked senseless with a shillelagh and hurled into tho mill-race, besides sundry other rousrh handlings, yet the close of the play revealed him in a<> good health as ever and no'hing damaged but his reputation. Mr Fdgnr Kenna showed his vf>Tßnti]i'v bv a ranabV pnnctirwt of the part of the villain's disreputable right-hand man who would se'l his coul for a five pound note. Mr William Ewart made a dashing hero, and as tho berevolent doctor, Mr W. J. Coulter, did not show any sigisof losin-r weight thronch too-Fremont m'dnight calls to patients. Miss Kathleen Arnold was sufficiently fascinating as the heroine, and Miss Lilian Colenso acted ai)d looked the part of tho handsome, winsomo, coouettish Irish colleen, wlii'-e Miss Loris Bingham was excellent as Mona Moore, the jrirl who was lured into a false marriage which proved to.he genuine. All minor parts were capably hand'ed.

"The Shamrock mid tho Roso" will be repeated to-ru»ht and to-morrow nisht, and the last pieco of the season, a comedy entitled "Much Married," will be staged on Wednesday. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House was crowded on Saturday night, when tho vaudeville bill was given tor tho last time. Mist Winifred La France made her final appearance and was accorded an enthusiastic lureweil. Mis 3 Maud Courtney and Mr C. were warmly received in their excellent comedy turn, while Bertram and Raymond, The Balancinos, and Ward Lear were 'all sucoesslul ii\ their efforts to amuse and entertain. The artists mentioned will make a change of turn for to-night's bill, i Miss Maud Courtney and Mr C. will sing 'some more topical vcra-es of "I Would Still Love You," and Bertram and Raymond will stage their second Australian sketch entitled "Sam's Second Attempt." A star act will fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Miss Winifred La France, this being Graham and Graham in "Graham's Human Marionettes." When it is mentioned that this act was performed before the Royal household at Buckingham Palace and at all tho leading London music hal's there is no necessity to go into its quality or to boom it in any shape or form. It is an act none should misß. The Harry Farrow Company will occupy the first half with a repetition of "Tho Forty Thieves." Seats may be reserved at Milner and Thompson's or by telephone at the theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE. William S. Hart is undoubtedly the very best Wee torn "bad man"' and hero ever seen on the screen, and in K Tho Narrow Trail," a play for which Mr Hart is largely responsible, ho is remarkable for the power and dramatic effcct of hia acting. "The Narrow Trail" is to be one of the big attractions at the Crystal Palace this week, and the story is said to be gripping, thrilling, and virile all through. Strenuoußnesa and manliness are paramount right through the picture, which is certain to be a great treat to patrons of the theatre. In his rolo of "Ice" Harding, the terrible leader of a band of outlaws, Mr Hart puts in some of the very best work he has yet dono. The central figures in the 6tory aro both outlaws, Hart as the bad man, and Sylvia Bremer, a young Australian actrecs, of groat talent and charm, as a woman who has been ostracised from society. The plot is of intense interest, with many thrills and strong situations, and should not bo missed on any account. Tho big comic feature, a Mack Sen■nott production, entitled "Sheriff Nell's 'Xusslo," is said to even fuimior, if that wore possible, than "A Bedroom Blunder," which was shown last week. In tho new piece such well-known laughter raisers 'as Polly Moran, Ben Turnin, and Billy Armstrong, will play in tho leading roles. _ The play is on e uproarious shout of merriment from start to finish, and will be guaranteed to cure the blackest brand of pessimism. The programme will also include a further episode of that exciting serial, "Who is Number and latest instalment of the "American Gazette." At the evening Sessions de luxe this week Mr JSmes Cocks, tho well-known, baritone, will mak© his first appeal a.nca at Crystal I'alncc. Ho will sing "Corieande" and "Tho Old-fashioned Town. The orchestra's overture will be Suppe's "Tho Jolly Robbers."

EVERYBODY'S. The reputation of tne Goldwyn productionsshould b© very much enhanced by the star feature, "Sunshine Alley," which will be the chief attraction at Everybody's this week. Fascinating Mae Marsh, who will bo remembered in "Intolerance," and in "Polly of the Circus," plays the part of the heroine, Nell, the daughter of the old bird fancier. Distinction is given to this photoplay by the fact that it is one of the first which champions tne cause of the Socioty for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A little animal and bird store, run by an aged lover of all living things, figures prominently in the Btory, which is said to be full of human sympathy. Tho settings of the piece are beautiful, and on the usual exquisite scale which had made tho Goldwyn productions famc&s throughout the scroen world. The story tolls how Nell's father becomes ill, and in order to provide medical attention for him Nell sells her pet singing biid to a wealthy Jady. The pet falls ill, and Nell has to go to attend it. While she is there a robbery is committed, and tho heroine is suspected. The denouement makes a fine dramatic situation, and Nell's name is cleared of suspicion, and she marries the eon of the wealthy lady. An additional attraction on the programme will be the fourth episode of the thrilling serial, "The Mystery of the Double Cross," in which tho interest of patrons is etill further arousrS by fresh clues, in the search for the myetio symbol. The management of Everybody's has' recently augmented the orchestra, which now consists of eix instruments. The incidental music to "Sunshine Alley" i 3 a strong- feature of the present programme, including 'cello solos of real excellence. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Serpent's Tooth," wb-'ch is one of the attractions in the big new double programme at tho Queen's Theatre this week, is a very remarkable drama, <n which th<> .beautiful actress, Gail Kane, is seen at her best, and with verv stronsr support. The story centres about the homo of a weddod pair, between whom a coolness arises on accour.t of a difference in ta'ete. The huaband, who hss bocn an artist, loses hi 3 moral balance in mixing with the smart set, and bocomcs infatuated with a fascinating woman of the -vampire t-yoe. A child bom to the m2n and his wife dies, and becanee of the nervous condition of tho disconsolate mother her doctor prescribes a drug which is to be with caution. • One day, however, the bottle containing the drusr drops from his satchel, is found by tho husband, who with the vampire woman nlots to convert hi' wif~ into a drutf fiend. Bv the tim~ this drstardlv scheme has b=en accomplished the husband has ated morally and mentally and physical'v from the excessive us» of d-ngs and alcohol, and falls dead in a fit. The work of Gail Kane in this production £<? especially T>lca3ing, and ?h<» d'eas"* the role of the unhappy Trif-» <*»li?htfulh\ Tn fact, th"- "irtrre is a singularly well-dre e s*d w. WilHarri Co-k----lin, as the hrrt'and, wcVMts rront dramatic power, and ira role stand out v-i'h fine The actr"=3 nlnringthe role of the vamnire of the p'"v. do»s an piece of "•ork. T'le <-iTh + h eni«o-U of "The X.a«a of the Lumberlands" will also be screened.

"THE KID FROM TIMARU." In addition to the programme shown during the previous portion of the week at the Queen's there was 6crcened on Saturday the New Zealand war film, "The Kid i from Timaru." In construction and execution the picture is finely done. As the different | stages of the preparation of the New Zealand fighting man were pictured, and as his subsequent deeds in the fighting line were shown it was, indeed, a dull, unappreciative heart that failed to respond to the strong patiiotic appeal that the development of these incidents arousod. "The Kid" of course, typical of the young Now Zcalander—-sturdy, clean, wholesome, with unshaken belief that. New Zealand is the best little country in the world, and that (in the case of "tlie Kid") Timaru is the brightest and best spot in tho wholo Dominion. Tho sections of the film, showing the training of Cadets, and, later, that of the men of tie New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and their embarkation for tho seat of war, are most interesting, and ore noteworthy for the attention to detail they evidence. It is, however, th/v representation of the Inrdiiar of the Anrncs on _ the rugscd, inhospitable shores of Gallipoli around which the greatest interest centres. John Masefield has given, perhaps, the most graphic account in words of this great historic landing. An equally adequate cinematograph representation has yet to be made. The presentation given in "The_ Kid from Timaru"" is good, and is not lacking in •verisimilitude, but it is wholly satisfying. It has been very carefully directed, and the landing from tho boats, amidst the bursting Turkish shells, is most realistic. But after giving full credit for the excellencies of this portion of the film, the feeling remains that it falls short of reaching "the height of this great argument." Nevertheless, when tho limitations connected with the product ion of the picture aro considered, the film must bo admitted to be a highly creditable one. "The Kid from Timaru" was ecroencd under the direction of Mr .Barrio Marschol, who also recited, with admirable dramatic effect, the set of verses written by himself recounting the and sayings of "tho Kid." The affect of tho film was heightened by the singin" of Miss M. E. Strincer of a vere® of "The Long. Lone Trail." and of e, verse of ' The Only Way Home, Boys, it is through Berlin. All this week, at both day and evening sessions, "The Bad from Timaru" will be screened. STRAND THEATRE. A really delightful picture was screened at the Strand Tneatro lor the first time on Saturday under tho titie of "Tho Mysterious Mi«» Terry." Tie story is a bright, wellconstructed one, and Miss Billie Burke, with her glad, refreshing smiie and entrancing manner, is admirably auiied to the leading role. Tired of the life of a social butteriiy, the daughter of a rich man sets out in a spirit of irresponsible caprice to Bcck adventures now amid the social life such as is to bo found in an ordinary city boardinghouse. She incidentally burgles her own palatial home, takes a position as cashier in a small warehouse, and becomes involved in many other situations made up of pathos, tragedy, and romanoe, throughout which runs an undercurrent of rippung mirth. Ihe Bottinf? of the picture is admirable, and is a fitting accompaniment to. the natural beauty with which Miss Burke and her associates invest the whole production. There is, indeed, a lack of conventionality, in some of ihe scenes which is apt to appear Eomewhat strange to English minds, hut is, apparently, quite natural in tho country in which the film originates. Thcro are several interesting supporting items. During the screenings the IMI- - Trio played Bavarian Dan<*s (Elgar), Romeo et Juliette (Gounod), Liebesfreud (Kreisler), and Gavotte (faaint Saccs). ine fame programme of pictures will be present- j ed to-day. LIBERTY THEATRE. J "The Silent Master," tho feature film in this week's programmo at tho Liberty Theatre, is adapted from the mysterious novel by Phillips Oppenhc-im, "The Court of St. Simon," and makes V photoplay of poignant interest. Robert Warwick takes the part or the Marquis de Sombreuil in most excellent fashion, and is well backed -up by a powerful cast. The story tells of romance on two continents, ranging from the Paris underworld to fashionable society in iNow York. The master of a mysterious "Court of St. Simon, who calls himself Valentin, Simon, initiates a neurotic youth into the mysteries of the underworld. Simon adopts his real name, Marquis de Sombreuil, goes to America, and there meets and falls in love with the young man's sister, ignorant at first of her rela.ion to the youth. Simon marries the sister, and eventually rehabilitates himself in tho eyes of his wife. In thiß photodrama Mr Warwick has the support of an unusually distinguished cast. Olive Tell, his leading woman, has amearod in many Broadway successes. Tho supporting programme is a strong one. s

GRAND THEATRE. "The Chain Invisible," which will be shown at the Grand Theatre this week, is an adaptalion of a work by the celeb'.at-cd author, -Richard L© and the story da-

scribes tho adventures of a man and a woman who aro wrecked on a desert island. The situations aro powerful, and th© acting of Gerda Holmes and Bruce MclUe is strong, but restrained, the whole forming a very original and excellent drama. Another star attraction on the programme will bo a Charlie Chaplin film, "A Nizht at the Show, in which the inimitable comedian is seen m one of his hapwet roles. TI» remaining films on tho programme are bom interesting and amusing. STARLAND. Nance O'Neill, a world famous American star, will appear in tho great i'ox production, "A Question of liove," at tho fatarliuid Theatro this week. The name ol this great actress is enough to make patrons certain that they will see superb acting, and as the play is one in which there is ample scope for her undoubted talents as an emotional actress. An excellent supporting programme will bo acrcencd, including a vastly humorous comedy, "Clever Mrs Carter. SKATING SINK. Thero wero very large attendances at all sessions of the Colosseum Skating Rink on Saturday, the big fcoor being crowded at niakt. The music by the band m the afternoon, and evening afforded couples the opportunity of practising lor the waltz and two-step competition to be held at the monster far.cy dies 3 and poster carnival on "Wednesday and Thursday evening. Amount the many oiher attractions t o °be provided will be a fiVo-a-sido hocsoy match, flat and hurdle racing, etc. Liberal prizes will be given to the winners of all events as well as to the best dressed ladies and gentlemen in fancy dress or poster co - tumea. Entries for all events are free, and may be mads at the Co'.OEeciim ticket office. As there is sure to be a large crowd of spectators, the wise peoplo will book their seats at the Theatro Royal confectionery store.