AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 26, 5 June 1913, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THE FOLLIES. To-night, in the Town Hall, that popular company of entertainers, The Follies, will make a welcome re-appear-ance. Amongst other novelties to be presented to-night will he America’s latest ragtime successes “The Hypnotising Man” and “Burglar Rag.” Miss Cissy O’Keefe will sing “Te Toilers” with piano and organ accompaniment. Hid Miss Iris Edgar, Messrs. Cliff. O’Keefe, and Kennedy Black will introduce a new musical sketch, “Muddled Melodies,” in which they sing two distinct melodies together. Miss Lulu Lussanno will introduce new dances and snugs, while that clever comedian, Mr Hugh’ Steyne will present a budget of novelties. Mr Steyne is regarded in theatrical circles as a “double” of the well-known gaiety comedian, Mr G. Grossn ith, Jun. A bumper house should greet this clever company on its farewell visit. Popular prices will be charged. HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES. This week’s first programme was shown for the last time at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, all the pictures meeting with approval. The star item for this evening’s change is the drama “Lost Years.” A large range of subjects is covered by the other pictures in the dramatic section—“ The Revoluionist,” “Sheriff Jim’s Last Shot,” and “The Heart of John Grim.” The scenic pictures are “The Coast of Catalonia” and “Bergen,” and an interesting item should he “Beetles,” a drama acted by trained beetles. As usual, the comic items are of a high order of merit.

THE MONK AND THE WOMAN. There was a fair attendance at the Town Hall, Stratford, last night,' when the Marlow Dramatic Company produced that much-heralded play “Tho Monk and the Woman.” No doubt the audience would have been larger had a ban not have been placed upon tho play by the authorities of one of the religious denominations. Tho play was well staged as befitting tho reputation of the Company, and the acting was powerful 'at times, the efforts of Mr Bentley, as Paul, the Monk, and Miss Gwendoline Davies, as Liane, tho Pearl of tho Court, being particularly exacting. From the first scene within the monastery, where the monk and the woman meet; until the final, where they stand unhurt by tho earthquake and unsullied by the license of a King’s Court, tho play is a quaint mass of conirasts and character contradictions. And it is difficult, at first, to make up one’s mind just whether there was a serious moral setting to ho expected, or, on the other hand, whether tho playwright had a huge burlesque in view in his writing. Probably therein lies the hone of contention over which the quarrel has arisen. Were it not for this unfortunate “tread on the tail o’ mo coat” sort of business, the chances are that “The Monk and the Woman” would ho hailed as a powerful moral drama.