EVERYBODY'S PICTURES

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 October 1917, Page 3

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES

THE SOUL OF KURA SAN. A powerful and unusual Jap-anese-American drama heads the bill at Everybody's to-night. Senssue Hayakawa, the remarkable Japanese actor, who takes the lead, will be remembered by many for his fine impersonation in " The Cheat." The story of this fine drama centres round the poor Japanese artist, Toya, and Kura, daughter of a wealthy tea house proprietor, whom he desires for himself, but who is promised to a wealthy Japanese. The disappointed and unhappy lovers decide the only way out is " shinju" (double suicide), and just as they are about to carry out their plan Toyo is summoned to the bedside of a dying uncle in America. Letters between the two are intercepted and a forged letter from Toyo tells of his marriage. Kura-San is bitter and revengeful. Herbert Graham, an American artist, is pleased with Kura-San's grace and beauty, and engages her to pose for him, promising her a ticket to America as a reward. Toyo goes to Japan to claim his bride, and she can scarcely believe her eyes when first she sees him. Later she feels her only way out is to commit suicide, and with her dying breath murmurs the name of Herbert Graham as the American who dishonoured her. Toyo swears revenge. The painting, " The Geisha Girl," for which Kura-San posed, is admired by Ann Willoughby, an heiress. She meets Graham and they become engaged. Toyo discovers that the man who painted the picture is the man who wronged Kura-San, and he sees in Anne a chance to "get back" at Graham. He invites Anne to his house, tells her the story of the painting, declaring that her beauty shall pay for that of Kura - San's. Anne swears to kill herself if Toyo approaches her. A great light dawns on Toyo as he realises a woman can possess a great soul. On Thursday, the great problem play, " The Divinity of Motherhood," will be at Everybody's. Already the booking is | heavy, and a large house is assured.