MARGUERITE CLARK AT THE EMPRESS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2748, 17 April 1916, Page 3

MARGUERITE CLARK AT THE EMPRESS.

Photo-play patrons will bo regaled to their hearts' content at the Empress Theatre to-day, where Miss Marguerite Clark will appear in a drama 5000 ft. long, written by Mr. Harold M'Grath, and i filmed by tho Famous Players. The | title of the play is "The Goose Girl," and the management claim for it the distinction of being the finest romantic story of modern times. It is a simple plot that never relaxes its interest, tho characters arc so fully alive that they seem liko personal friends. Its appeal is wide, and directed' to a wholesome, human, and good-to-presorve simplicity. Miss Marguerite Clark, according to American critics, achieved a lasting and brilliant success in this charming play, investing the role of "Tho Gooso Girl with all tho fascination of her own personality. The play has mingled gaiety and pathos, humour and charm, and holds the spectators' interest throughout. There, are several other big features on the programme. Ono of these is a stirring patriotic ploy by the London Film Company, in which is featured Gerald Ames, a great favourite here and in tondon. "You" is the title of the drama. There is, according to descriptions received, such power in the story and such quick action that it sweeps the emotionally inclined person off his feet. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew are also included in the programme. They appear in a rollicking laugh-producer, "Back to the Primitive." "OUR BRITISH' NAVY," "The Fleet in being" is always a subject of fnscination to both young and old, and the production of "Our British Navy" at the Town Hall next Saturday under the direction of Mr. Charles MacMahon, is expected to be widely greeted. The picture, according to the management, is the only ono that has been approved by the Admiralty Office, and their hall-mark in itself shvgjld secure a marked success for the fil™ It shows every side of Jife and every 6ide of action in the Fleet that is now policing the highways of the sea in tho interests of the British Empire. It has iuat completed' successful seasons in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, but waa reserved for Wellington for the holiday season. A 6trong miscellaneous programme is promised in support of .this star feature, and the price has been' lowered to a uniform one of a. shilling all over the hou6e. THE ROYAL STROLLERS. The Royal Strollers, the company of English burlesque artists which Messrs. J. and N. Taifc will present at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next, are expected to appeal to theatre-goers who appreciate a refined, bright, and amusing entertainment. It is described as a brisk, breezy show, in which the actors get into intimate touch with the audience, so that you go away with tlat sense of pleasant, personal acquaintance which good comedy sends across the lootlights. Althougmh the Strollers are essentially a company of comedians, they also, it is stated, reach a high musical aril dramatic level, and in Miss Rossiter, Mire Lewis, Miss Milne, and Messrs. Graystone and Frost, they are said to possess artists who are capable of presenting vocal, instrumental and dramatic items. The Strollers make a special feature of their finales, and the burlesquo which they have chosen for the opening programme is entitled "Our Picture Palace, in which it is said delightful burlesque characterisations of photo-play favourites are presented an quite original manner. This morning at the Bristol the box plan will be opened, and applications for seats from country patrons will receive ptonip.t attention. SUNDAY CONCERT. The popularity of Sunday evening concerts was demonstrated la6t evening, when His Majesty's Theatre, in which the "Wellington Professional Orchestra was performing, was crowded to the doors. The orchestra always shows a rare discrimination in the choice of programmes, and the numbers last evening were greatly appreciated. An overture, Buryanthe (Weber), was especially well received, being as it is an exceptionally pretty example of the characteristic purity of Weber's melody. Another popular and delightfully rendered number was one of a bracket, "Shepherd's Hey, an eccentric "arrangement of an old English country dance. , Other items werer-A suite, "Dances Miniatures de / Ballet (Ansell), fantasia, ' Fausf .(Gounod) "L'Escarpalctte," swing song (Ethel Barnes), and "Saltarello" (Gounod). ' SHAKESPEAREAN COSTUME FESTIVAL. The Shakespearean Costume Festival in aid of the Red Cross Fund, and ini commemoration of the'ter-centcnary of Shakespeare's death, should do much to Stimulate interest in the works of the immortal bard. The pageantry of Shakespearean heroines and their attendants, as arranged by Mrs. J. A. Hannah, will be. most spectacular, there being over sixty women and children taking part, each one being attired in tho correct costume of the character they represent. A beautiful scone is the meeting in. the wood and quarrel between Oboron and Titania, from tho "Midsummer Nighfs Dream." The dresses of the bevy of small children who assist in this scene are most artistic and original. The two big scenes included in the programme are the trial scene, "Merchant, of Venice," and tho kitchen scene, "Twelfth Night." The rest of flic programme is comprised of several wellselected dialogues and character sketches, all of which are being performed in character. The musical portion of the programme is in the charge of Mr. Robert Parker.