AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 77, 23 November 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

BEIINAHD’S P 1C IT U KS

To-night will sec the last screening of the current programme, which, as an all-round selection, is really very line. Next week a holiday repertoire will run throughout, and patrons will bo provided with an unusually high-class entertainment. The great drama, “A Child’s Prayer,” is a touching picture. The opening scene shows Jonn Devereaux and his little motherless girl at the grave of his dead wife. _ Sad as is this scene, it is lacking in the pathos which surround a similar scene being enacted miles away in the dreary desert, where Burt King, his arm around Ins motherless boy, kneels in silent prayer besides the grave, crudely ornamented by a wooden cross, which contains all tout is mortal of his wife. Each go their way, the Millionaire Cattle King to his palatial home and King to search for a home. King stakes out a homestead and is soon informed that he has appropriated a part of the Devereaux ranch. John Devereaux armed with a gun and a posse of his men go to evict the squatter. Before starting he goes to kiss his little girl good bye and finds her repeating the Lord’s Prayer. On reaching King’s camp the ranchman hears the voice of the squatter’s boy saying the Lord’s Prayer. The circumstances touches him so deeply that he called King out and gives him a clear title to the land he has selected. “Me and Bill” is another striking drama. Its ending is perhaps too sad for many, but as a powerful piece of acting it takes a lot of beating. The story starts with Sam and bill as youngsters back in the quaint days of the forties. Each marries and the two couples settle down as neighbours. Bill becomes the father of a girl, Sam the father of a boy. Kittv and Bill, jun., plight their troth, but before the marriage is consummated the Civil War breaks out and Bill Jun., marches to the front. There he is killed in the explosion of an ammunition waggon. 4lie news or the boy’s death almost prostrates poor old Sam. As Sam and Bill walk-bes.de the shore that afternoon. Bill comforting Sam for the loss of his boy—• the body of Kitty drifts to their feo.t Then it is Bill who finds himself face to face with awful grief, and the two turn to each other with one impulse in their hour of mutual gloom. Other films include: “Agriculture By Motor,” “Cattle Fair in the Argentine,” “Walk through a Poultry Farm,” “Smallest Ponv in the World,” and the “Grand National Steeplechase.”

BARTON BROS’. CIRCUS. A GIGANTIC SHOW. On Wednesday this big circus enterprise will arrive here, and will open tor two nights only. The Barton lirrn have gained an enviable reputation, and on this occasion another amazing boom in amusement enterprise is announced. This tour inaugurates tlie third annual tour of the firm through New Zealand, and it augurs well cf tne foresight of the management when it is understood that a new roll-call of artists and now acts have been presented on each occasion. For this present visit the personnel of the programme hap undergone a complete reorganisation, and embraces arcists engaged from the principal Hippodromes eurcuses and theatres from England, America and the Continent. Among the most prominent of the starring engagements secured by Mr. F. G. Barton during his recent tour abroad are the Hanley, Marguerite and Hanley trio, .who come with a brilliant reputation from the greatest circus in existence—i.e., the Kingling Bros., of America. This act is described as the limit in sensation. Tht> columns of a Palmerston North exchange describe it as a pulse-throbbing thrill in head and hand balancing gymnastic feats. Another starring attraction is supplied by the Baker Family, five in number, who hail from the Dublin Hippodrome, This troupe includes aerialists, acrobats, wire-walkers, tumblers, contortionists, etc. The comedy element of the bill is supplied by a group of clowns and dummies headed by Hilarious Happy Jackies, another imported star direct from Bostock and Wombwell’s big English circus. Jackies is billed as the monarch of clowndom, and his appearance creates a* continuous riot of laughter. The programme throughout is what is professionally termed an “all-star” bill. Some idea of the enormity of the equine department may be gauged by the fact that the fodder requirements include 12 tons of chaff per day. A menagerie of wild beasts from the jungles of India and Africa has also oeen secured. These will be on view free to all from 7 p.m. Show time visitors and local amusement lovers are assured of an . adequate supply of entertainment. The huge canvas Stadium is erected and illuminated in such a manner that every patron has an uninterrupted view of the performance, and will bo placed in Kogan Street, in King Edward Park. For further particulars see' our advertising columns.

BOXING TOURNAMENT.

Geishas and circuses and shows (agricultural or theatrical) may come and &o, but the noble art of self-defence is always with us to a more or less prominent degree. And every opportunity, great or small, should be embraced so as to be ready for trouble when it comes .Here, then, is a point opponents of boxing seize for argument. They say that young men who learn to box look for trouble, are a bit too ready with their hands, and pick a quarrel on the slightest provocation; but tho experience of men who have been brought up in the atmosphere of the “ring” points in an entirely opposite direction. The man who can use his ■ “docks” is always the last to lift them, knowing, as he does, the power placed in him by science, and tho deadly effect to widen the use of that knowledge might be put did ho let himself “go.” Clean, honest, edifying work, such as can be seen on club nights at the EJtham Sports and Pastimes Club’s hall every week must prove a factor for nothing but good and the advancement of hygiene. The stimulating effect upon members is marked, and has been often commented upon in the “concrete” town, and it shpuld. he the objective of supporters of boxing in tins district to initiate a somewhat similar institution during the coining year. Hawera has followed the lead, mainly as tho result of tho tournament held by the Eltharn Club. The programme to he placed before Stratfordifes on Thursday next will provide a capital idea of the sport, and the progress made by its devotees within tho space •of a few months only. E. Walker (Vew Plymouth), holder of the featherweight championship of Taranaki, has been challenged by A. Hurrell, of Hawera; Clarry, of Eltharn, will give W. Olliver, the bantam champion, a chance to defend his right to the title; the light-weight champion of Taranaki, F. Folev, will meet Thomas, tho Territorial “hope.” There are also half-a-dozen bouts arranged for, besides the possibility of the management cutting out wonld-ho “white hopes,” who are itching to got into

the limelight.. 4he cxlnor.iou as conducted by the Eltbnm Club is oue that oven the most exacting “wowser ’ (. 1 1 lie could lie persuaded to attend) would fail not to applaud. For an entertainment on “People’s Day,” after tiie Show, the tournament could hardly be surpassed. The gong goes sharp at eight o’clock, at the Town Hall.

“THE GEISHA

When first produced at Daly’s Theatre, sixteen years age, “The Geisha” leaped into instant favour, with the music-loving public, and enjoyed a run, which has never been equalled by its rival musical comedies. In America, Africa, and Australasia its success was repeated, and its revival now always appeals to play-goers. The plot of the play is cleverly conceived and worked out. It opens in the teahouse of W T un-Hi. A group of English officers arrive from a warship in port, and, following the customary ■practice, proceed to flirt with the 'geishas, the principal officer (Fairfax) showing a partiality for Mimosa, the chief geisha. The governor of the province, the Marquis Irnari, follows close on the officer’s heels, and announces to Wun-Hi his intention of marrying Mimosa, but a French interpreter, Juliette, employed in the tea-house, has also designs on the Marquis, while Mimosa loves Katana, a Japanese officer. A group of English ladies also arrive from their yacht, under the chaperonage of Lady Con-st-ace Wynne, and they are followed later by Molly Seamore, who is engaged to Fairfax, and has stolen away from her chaperon. Lady Constance comes upon Fairfax listening in rapture to a song of Mimosa, and she informs Molly, in a fit of jealousy Molly disguises herself as one of the geisha. When the Marquis returns, he, too, sees Fairfax with Mimosa, and after raging at Wun-Hi, instructs the police to sell the. tea-house and its attendants by public auction. IT endeavours to buy Mimosa, but Lady Constance outbids him, but when Molly Seamore, disguised as Rolli Pol!i. is put un for sale, be discovers she is an English girl, and buys her for a bride. The second act disclosed the grounds of the Marquis’s place, and bo has invited the English ladies and officers to a chrysanthemum fete in honour of his wedding. They suddenly discover that Molly is missing, and are informed by Juliette of Molly’s prank, and the trouble which lias followed it; in consternation thev seek some plan to rescue Mftlly. Mimosa, disguised as a fortune-teller, comes to the rescue, ‘and scaring the Marquis, obtains access to Molly to apply a love charm. The wedding ceremony ' begins, hut Molly escapes from the bridal canopy, and Mimosa puts the bridal veil, over Juliette, and substitutes her in Molly’s place. 4’he noble bridegroom arrives, and goes through the ceremony before he discovers that he lias married the French girl. Molly 'and Fairfax are restored to each other, and Mimosa secures her Japanese officer. The box plan is now on view at Grubb’s music warehouse, and is filling up rapidly.