LYRIC PICTURES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 February 1918, Page 3

LYRIC PICTURES.

—Friday Evening—

(Ernest Drake Concert Company)

The song recital to be given by Mr Ernest Drake is arousing great interest. Judging by press critiques from the South, where Mr Drake has recently been on tour, the popular tenor has attained great success in the singer's art, for he has gained the unstinted praize of both press and public, who are most eulogistic in their reports of- his methods, voice and artistry. Mr Drake will sing " Come into the Garden Maud," " Sometimes in Summer," "If You would Love," and the grand operatic aria " Vestila Guilba," from " Paghacci.' Madame Stuart Dallas, who has established a reputation as an, artistic singer' with a voice of rare power and quality, will sing •' Harbour Night Song," ''Sink Red Sun," and with Mr Drake "In Springtime," by Summers. Miss Clarice Wood, a young Auckland lady, who has attained considerable distinction as a pianist, will play " Prelude C Minor," by Rachmaamnoff, and Liszt's " Walderranschen." Mr Tom Harris, the popular entertainer, and the humorist of the party, is known as an extremely versrtile performer whose repertoire combines something of the humour and pathos, the tragedy and comedy, that go to make up the romance of life. Mr Harris brings a budget of up-to-date sketches, songs and stories. Prices of admission, 3s, 2s, and Is, plus amusement tax; —Saturday Evening— " The Girl Philippa "—" Play the baby, do you hear, eyes wide and artless and so on," growled Wildresse. "That is not difficult," said the girl Philippa, " when I lose my innocence then it will mean real acting." Anita Stewart in this- great film play thus replies to the fiendish master-spy who has her in his power. From the vivid and splendid -novel by R. W. Chambers, the Greater Vitagraph Company have made a drama which is the high-water mark of picture achievement. The war scenes in it are terrific, grimly realistic, and nothing more awe-inspiring and appalling has been put on the screen than the bombardment of the quiet French village by the Huns. Shells are seen to fall and explode, wrecking buildings whose walls topple and fall, crushing villagers and soldiers indifferently. In the smokeladen atmosphere struggling figures are seen, fighting with dreadful energy. The story is bewilderingly beautiful, the love romance in itself being a problem of passion charmingly set and heart breakin intensity. Anita Stewart has a role which gives every scope for her captivate }ng charm, and the rest of the cast is strong and good.

—Tuesday Evening— " The Common Law "—Valeric West's horizon is bounded by the walls of the little apartment in which she has for years attended with ceaseless care her invalided mother-. §he acquires a. brilliant education, in so far as, literature and art is concerned, but kno\?s n.othipg qf the life that surges up frgun the streets beneath her, On her mother's death Valeric is left penniless, and seeks em- . ployment, first as a governess, then on the stage. Disgusted .with her stage experience she seeks work as an artist's ! model. Fortunately for Valeric her first encounter is with L,ouis Neville, § painter of brilliant reputation and a thorough, gentleman, the son of an aristocratic family. Neville is eager- to find, a m.od,el suited in face and form to pose as the cental figure in a great murial decoration At his first glimnse of Valeric he recognises the perfect type he has been looking for, and when she asks for work he shows her to the dressing room, and thinking she is a professional model af experience, merely jndioates that she is expected iq undress and pose in the nude, After a struggle with herself Valeric conquers her modesty, and appears. Neville'engages her as his regular mp,del and attracted by h.er intelligence, goodness aud beauty falls in love with her. The rest of the story is best told by the picture itself. Miss Clara Kimball Young nses to great heights in her portrayal of Valeric, and the whole, production roaches a very high standard.