ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1208, 14 February 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE ARCADIANS” & “THE QUAKER GIRL.” “The Arcadians,” the well* known and immensely popular cotnic opera, to be staged at the Tojim Hall on Monday night next, when the Merry Widow Opera Company open a two nights’ season, has proved a great moneymaker. It is a bright and sparkling musical play, with plenty of good genuine comedy. The first scene opens in the county of Arcadj, a delightful Utopian county, whose inhabitants lead the simple life, and where truth reigns supreme. To this paradise James Smith, a hotel proprietor, of London, whose hobby is aviation, finds his way in an aeroplane. He makes himself very much at home with the charming Arcadian damsels. All goes well until he is found out to have told a lie. To cure him of this horrible habit, the Arcadians immerse the Londoner in the “well of truth,” whence he emerges minus the whiskers and wrinkles, and clad in orthodox Arcadian garb. He is then given the new name of Simplicitas, and sent back to London with two charming Arcadians, to convert the English to the simple life. The three Arcadians arrive at Smith’s Hotel, and cause quite a sensation in London. Simplicitas, not being recognised in his youthful disguise, even by his wife, has the time of his life. Various complications ensue until Simplicitas, who has ingeniously kept the truth by getting others to do his lying for him, tells a lie, when his whiskers and wrinkles return, and he becomes plain Smith again. Things are then straightened out, and the Iwo Arcadian ladies return sorrowfully to their own country to confess their mission has failed. ‘-The Quaker Girl,” to be staged on Tuesday night next, also comes with a big reputation. A rare treat is in store for local people. The box plan is at the Town Clerk’s office. MUNICIPAL PICTURES. The programme for this evening is one that should attract all sorts of patrons, as the items are of such a varied collection that it will not be hard to please whatever section of the community is present. The star film, “The Skeleton in the Cupboard,” is highly interesting and should be well received. The other items on the programme all help to make up a first-class evening’s amusement that is bound to charm.