AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1918, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

McLEAN’S PICTURES. ‘ THE BATTLE OF LIFE:” TONIGHT. The top-liner at McLean’s Pictures at the Opera House tomiglit will lie one of the world famed Metro productions “The Battle of Life.” This is a realistic portrayal of the temptations and snares that are laid for a prepossessing y(fling woman, of how men with a honeyed tongue waylay her path, as well as showing how a beautiful young woman evaded tlioir'clutclies and came through the fire of opinion finer, cleaner, and stronger than ever. In this great picture the beautiful- screen artiste, Gladys Coburn, fills the title role, and is supported by an excellent company of artists of first-class mgr it.'

The ’ supporting programme comprises a screaming comedy and a well written drama, as well as some fine scenics. and the orchestra will provide new and appropriate music.

POLLARD’S PICTURES. THURSDAY NIGHT. ' On Thursday evening next “ The Square Deal ” a World Film drama of modern life in art and society circles, starring Carlyle Blackwell, June Elvidge and Muriel Ostriche, will be the star picture in Pollard’s all new display. New York’s colony of artists and literary workers is trhe scene of “ A Square Deal.” a drama dealing with the wayward impulses of Bohemian life. One-piece bathing suits aie seen in plenty in the fashionable indoor bathing resort in which one of the sensational incidents occur,

the rescue from drowning of one of the leading characters. Carlyle Blackwell gives a manly rendering of the part of the hero and “a woman brave enough to buy independence with hard work,” is the description applied to June Elvidge as the girl .reporter heroine. “ A Square Deal ” is a play full of finely acted situations and striking scenes, the most startling of which is fashion’s folly at its height in a fashionable indoor bathing iosort.

•THE GONDOLIERS’-’ COMING. Jn a week’s time the town and district will lie on the tip-toe of excitement for tlie production of “The Gondoliers,'’ the opening performance of which is fixed for Wednesday of next week. This is a very popular comic opera with the public, and when firstwritten had. a great vogue. The music throughout i s very pretty, and is essentially typical of the Sullivan style. “When a Merry Maiden' Marries” and “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes” are two well known solos of the opera. The chorus work offers fine scope for telling effects, and the music is very fine indeed. The ducal party are responsible for much of the humor of the play. The Duke of Plaza Toro has a well known solo in which Gilbert’s descriptive style is splendidly typified, j The duke is one of those breezy chnrnc- j tors who finds such scope fo amuse the j audience from a stage: j

The local production will be helped by the orchestra, drawn chiefly from the ranks of the Overseas Orchestra. The instruments are useful in adding to the general musical effects. Altogether theatre goers may prepare for an entertainment of exceptional merit, and as the object is <iV) aid the patriotic work of the district, there are two most excellent reasons why three , bumper bouses should reward the efforts of tin* enthusiastic organisers.