AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1918, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

POLLARD'S PICTURES, W. S. HART.

' The favourite impersonator of Western life, William S. Hart as Wolf Lowry in the startling Triangle drama, “.Wolf Lowry,” ?ncl Margery Wilson, another Triangle star, will be presented by Pollards at the Princess Theatre next MOll - dav evening, when this great Western play that; pictures a most amazing story will be screened. Tom Lowry, the owner of the Bar Z ranch, is a strong, grim, silent man, quick on the trigger, terrible ill his wrath and a bitter and implacable eneiitv. There is only one fly in Ills ointment. A settler has dared to take up a, claim in the valley, , and when the news is brought to Tom he. immediately sets off for the cabin to drive the intruder out of the country. He is stunned when he meets the intruder and finds that she sis none other than Mar>* Davis, the prettiest and sweetest girl lie lias ever seen. The}- quickh- become friends, and she brings a softening influence into liis grim life. Buck Fanning, a designing real estate agent, also lias liis ej-e on Mary and is interrupted in a violent love scene by Lowry, who throws him out.Through such situations as these the strong character of Tom is brought out up to the final .scene, when he makes his great sacrifice for the girl who has come to mean everything"to hllH.

COMIC OPERA COMING It is announced in this issue that Gilbert and Sullivan’s charming comic opera, “ The Gondoliers,” or “The King of Barataria,” will be produced at ffhe Princess Theatre for three nights, commencing 011 Wednesday, February 6th, in aid of the Westland Patriotic Fund. Thisvery fine entertainment is being organised and produced under the personal direction of Mrs Staveley, who. with the usual enthusiasm the lady throws into amateur theatricals, is not sparing herself in any way to attain a high degree of success, Mrs Staveley is fortunate in having a strong measure of support from Mr Staveley who has done yeoman’s service by painting the scenery required for the production.

The caste which has been associated for this local production is probably the strongest musical combination it has been possible even to get together. It is well that it is so,"for Sir Arthur Sullivan’s music is always exacting, aiid only trained vocalists can bring out the happy effects. - Mrs Staveley has taken great'pains with the musical production. Mr \V. K. Perry has been the conductor, and Mrs Malcolm Houston the pinuiste, and all have worked right willingly to ihoulcl the material into satisfactory form. Difficult as the music is, it should be rendered in _a very creditable manner, and this side of the production is sure to he greatly enjoyed. There are about 70 performers in all taking part ill the production, and a company of this dimensions takes some organisation. It has been mentioned that the performances will be in feid of the Patriotic Fund lor the Sick and Wounded Soldiers,- and to ensure a good credit balance, all the,performers are providing their own costumes 1 and stage requirements. This is the right sort of patriotism, and will encourage the public to reward the efforts of the performers with bumper houses. The opera is built on humorous lines, dealing with an imaginary situation in the imaginary country called Barataria. Strange to say, the situation Mr Gilbert pourtrays in his “ monarchy remodelled on republican principles,” is not far removed from the aspirations of the people of a great nation t-o-dav, where all men are held to ho equal and Jack ashore on holiday may command a constituent assembly of the people to disperse at his will. This adaptation to the seemingspirit of the times does not make the opera appear old, but rather brings its -story yery much up to date. But Mr Gilbert’s humorous situations always do appear very true to life, and patrons of the forthcoming operatic production will know how real the play is, it it be but a supposed imitation of pass ing events. *