ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 655, 4 November 1909, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE /ANDERSON • DERMATIC COMPACT. "THE GEEAT WORLD OF LONDON." "The Great World of London," a molo. drama in four acts by Walter 1 MoltilU Cost:Jaclt Clinton „ Mr. Vivian Euwarda John Moredith _...„ Mr. John Do Loot &WS • •• Mr. Frank, Kcii Tom Hates Mr. Oharlos Throaby Kichard Thornton , Uγ. Herbert Linden golly Mr. Alt. HoU&nJl Bill Eoyston Mr. Oroebio Ward Thick Hoger _ Mr. Stewart Garner gnflton _. . Mr. Edwin Campbell Sally Bates .. , ;.._. . Mrs. Barry Lane Madge McrcditU Mibb Poppy Jacobeon ! Lilian Meredith Mis 6 Kate Galr The opening performance of tho William Anderson Dramatic Company, last evening was witnessed bj- an auaienoe which mad<» heavy demands oa the cheaper portions of thfc Opera House. The 'play was Walter MelviUe's melodrama, "Tho Groat World- o£ London," a typo of melodrama, which scornmy any symptoms of histnonio subtlety or tho finer nuances in character delineation, provides a moving iniso en scone by roasoa or its action, which mores along from 6aasatitm to sensation relentlessly* All the ' world loves a lover, so that Jtoj* Clinton and 'his wife (who ior some reasofllor other/ us called Lillian Meredith) Boon enlist the sympathies of the audience when persecuted by iiichard Thornton, m love with Lillian and hor prospective fortune, and tho leader ot a gang of ruffians. Thornton gets to work early. Ho has Jack convicted and sentenced for a crime, and, hav~uig_ wormed his •nay into tho aftections of her father, is about to marry Lillian, who has been told that her lover is dead, when Jack returns to claim his wife" at tho church door. Fur i>ome inscrutable reason, old Meredith tnrni uiem both out into the world, and once more Thornton endeavours to entrap the hero by having a purse placed in his pocket, which, through a confederate, forms the basis of another charge, frustrated at tho last minute bj the inevitable funny man. Then Jack and Lillian are depicted in due distress in tho conventional London garrott, fed by the ravene in tho form of Tom Batoe and Ins irascible wife, who are caravan folk,'but are always about when wanted. Thornton's last vonture is a desperate one. He and his gang board a* tram to do for a traveller known to be carrying gold. Thornton does tho deed and escapes. Jack, who is in the next apartment, rushes in on hearing allots, and when tho train pulls up is'accnsod of tho murder. There is a trial. Jack is found guilty, and the judge epeaks his doom. But all is not over-a hero must nover die in.melodrama. Shelton, a detective, strikes trail of Thornton, and. with the assistance of Bates arrests his man in a Solvation Army shellor. Jack and Lilhail are once inoro united. Miss' Kate Gair, who is tho faithful wife, acts with ease and refinement, and is the possessor of a most ploasing personality, always an essential in tho portrayal of melodramatic heroines in dietress. Her talent, however, would be better displajed in plays of a higher type than "The Great World of London." Mr. Vivian Edwards played Jack) in a vigorous, forceful manner, making the part very popular with the audience. Tho villain, Thornton, swa» played by Mr. HorbeTt Linden on conventional lines, and his confederates were ably presented by Messrs. C. Ward, Alf. Holland, and Stewart Garner. Tho bootblack, Tagrag, found o capable exponent in Mr. Frank' Reis, and tho simple, homely comedy of Tom Bates and his "old woman" v\as done justice to by Mr. Chas. Throsby and Mrs. Barry Lane. Miss Poppy' Jackson was "sticky" as Madge Meredith. The Boeneiy is quite a feature of the production, and the illusion of the fast-running tram at night is an excoUently-mana&ed pince of stage mechanism. Tho scene in the shvUer v*th its , "types" was also quito diverting. "Tho Great ' World of London* *ill' run throughout th« week." t HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Another' week, of tho reign of ''the Royal Pictures was entered on last night at his Majesty's Theatre, when a largo audience were present. The "star" picture of the evening was one vhich, after the title has been told, should need little explanation. It was called "Tho Black 'Handr and it gave an idea of'the working of one of the most famous, or infamous, secret societies of tho world. The plot of tht) Wory showed tho socioty in a good light, as assisting the cause of tho A hanker betrays tho trust delivered to him by a dying friend, and (seeks to rob his friend's ' child of hor fortune. His plans aro discovered • by tho "Black Hand" men, who, after a sitting of their tribunal, Ect their secret machinery in motion* to restore to tho heiress her rights. The banker is threatened by the "Black Hand," and his attempts to set the law in motion against the bociety are rendered futile by an elaborato system of espionage. As a last measuro, the banker's daughter is kidnapped, and he is informed that, if ho persists in his robbery of tho heiress, punishment i tail bo raeled out not only to him, but alsotf to his ihild. Evorywhoro he goes, ho finds<R the sign of the "Black Hand," reminding him > of the throat, and at last ho yields, and givoa up hie ill-gotten gams. Not so sonsational, i but still Tory interesting, was "Field Gun, Drill," showing Jack Tars at gun practice on shore. But in the preparation of tho prolamine care had been taken that tragedy and serious life should not.bo.6hown in too strong a light at the expenso of comedy. "Mrs. Jones's Hatter," or , "I Want My Hat," was qiito sufficient to put comedy in a place of honour. Thc ; humour of the situation . was admirably developed, and shone out from every gesture of tho actors. Mention should also be mado of a good example of colour kinematography, "Tho Fainter s Sweetheart." In addition to the pictures described, there woro mam , others of excellent merit. "Simple Life fn Town" was a good comic film, "The Botter Way" was a stirring dramatic picture, while another ot the popular "Nick Carter" series was "The Suicides Club." Tho pictures will bo shown every night this week, and a matinee mil he given on batiu;day. THEATRE ROYAL. The audicnco which gathered at the Theatw lloyal last night showed its appreciation of the faro provided by liberal bursts of applause. The pictures,wore well screened, tho best of them / oeme "Tho Kosuucction," "A Day on a Poultry Farm," Woigwood Pot tery," and "The Hand} llan in liondon. , ' A full change of piogramme -nil bo given o» Saturday night. iSTAR PICTURES. Several dates for St. Thomas's Hall having been booked piovious to tho Star Picture Company taking over the lease, tho company has had to stand down for two or three evenings to enable tho pnoi bookings to bo camea" out. 'lho compan) will recommence operations tomorrow evening A matinee performance is announced tor Saturday afternoon. The Royal' Pictures Syndicate, whose kinematogiapme exhibitions m Wellington have proved auch a success, has decided to branch out to farther fields to-night. In addition to the exhibition it Hie Majesty's Theatre the sjndicato will, show tho moving pictures at the Oddfellows' Hall, Petono l'lve nights merriment aro promised during tho Grand Catholic Bazaar, which is to bff opened at the Petono Drill Hall on November 9. A number of fancy dances have been nrlanged, in addition to operatio selections by ovei 20 voices, and vaiious 6ide-shows will be a ieature of the gathering. The annual Bale of woik by the LadriSs" Working Party of St. Matthew's Churih, Brooklyn, will bo continued this afternoon ana evening. Thn evening programme will consist of fancy dancing by Miss Majorio Fletcher, and songs by Jlisscs Tansloy and Toohlll, awl Mb I'letcher.