AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8, 9 January 1914, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

BERNARD'S PICTURES.

| Last night saw the finale of a real i good programme, witnessed by a fair attendance. To-night an entirely new set of pictures will be screened. The star feature drama, "Shipwrecked," stands alone for realistic sensation, taken by the famous Kalem Co. of America, and is sufficient guarantee of the best photography. The poet has beon adapted from the drama, "Admirable Criehton," which was a phenomenal success as played by .1. C. Williamson throughout the colonies. "The Girl and the Judge" is another Solig masterpiece, which runs as follows :—George Goff, son of a wealthy city judge, goes to the country, where he falls in love with Grace Green, the daughter of a stern and honest farmer, who takes in summer boarders. Ho has concealed his identity. The lovers elope and then George installs her in a rich, apartment in the city, where she awakes to find a, letter that his allowance will be cut off unless he returns home at once, and that she has never known his right name. She is later brought before Judge Goff, who lines her for being alone in the streets. She buys a paper and answers an advertisement for a housemaid, and finds I herself in the palitial home of Judg6 ■Goff, who denounces her. As she is leaving the house, Grace meets George 13off. He pleads desperately for her to | leave without betraying him. Judge Golf overhears him. It breaks his iron .vill and his sense of justice reasserts itself, and be permits them to be married immediately. On Wednesday next Dan McSween\v, the favourite, comedian, will reappear in new songs, including a decided hit, "Why Can't we have the sea in Stratford," which was obtained by Mr Sid Ward during bis recent Australian tour. THE "SMART SET."

There is nothing particularly new m the style of entertainment submitted by these clever entertainers at the Town Hall last night, but the subject matter, was decidedly original. Therefore, it will be recognised that the ludience, which was a big one downstairs, were quite satisfied with the "veiling. The reason that no programnes were distributed is, no doubt, to >'e found in the fact that the company •onclude* their New. Zealand tour this week, and, as usual, under the cir■umstances, the printer was "fair However, though it would lave added to the enjoyment of the evening, this managerial delinquency letracted little from the general favorible opinion regarding the Company. 'Co some there must have come a new lelight in the striking pianoforte selecion "Etude de Concert" by the captble and more than usually hardworked iccompanist in the party, namely, Mr fidgar Hulland. He was accorded luch applause as to demand an encore, 'hich in itself is a remarkable tribute fco bo paid by audiences of the nature I attending average country performI inces. The programme generally was ! in the lines of entertainers such as the Scatflet Troubadours, and, later, tlte Dandies (green and red) and others ivho have lately visited Stratford. Miss Gwen Evans charmed the audiance with her singing of "My Dear 30u1," and was twice recalled, her second number being "My Ain Folk," sung most sympathetically. A burlesque. "When we go on the Stage," by Miss Georgie Martin and Mr Walter George, was another very good "turn" in a programme where nothing displeased. Mr Ernest Parkes, baritone, sang with advantage "The Sea Road," and was enthusiastically recalled. This vocalist, in company with .Miss Gwen Evans, gave the duet "A N'ight Hymn at Sea," a really excellent blending of two fine voices. The outstanding feature of the entertainment, however, it must be admitted, was Mr Edward Elliott's appearance, assisted by "Sunshine James," the latter being none other than the old, or, rather, young scamp, the ventriloquist's right-hand supporter. The "gag" was original, local, and not too "broad" in tone, and the whole "turn" proved Mr Elliott to lie a ventriloquist of the highest order. Local "celebrities" were introduced in a manner that pleased the audience immensely. The "Smart Set" are facile prineeps among the motley crowd of entertainers who have occupied the boards.in Stratford for years at least.