AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1914, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD” PANTOMIME. “Old Mother Hubbard,” a. pantomime of the Royal Pantomime Cornpay, is to be staged at the Town Hall on Tuesday next. It has been running lor several years in the cities of /Australia. Miss Kathleen Mack, who plays principal boy, has now established iierselt in tlie Dominion as one of-the best impersonators of boys’ parts That has ever appeared here. She has ait the physical charms usually associated with delineators of boys’ parts, in “Old Mother Hubbard” she has many opportunities of displaying a handsome figure in costly costumes. Miss Elsie -Nicolas, who plays Bluebell, “The pride of the Hubbard Household,” possesses a nice sweet soprano voice, which she uses to advantage in songs specially written for her. Miss Cora Terry, as Sybil, “Queen of the Fairies,” has a voice of exceptional promise,and also has some popular numbers to sing in this pantomime. Mr Bruce Drysdale, as “Old Mother Hubbard,” is said to extract every iounce of fun out of the part, and when he is on the stage there is not a dull moment. The scenery and dressing in “Old Mother Hubbard” is characteristic of the Company, and due attention iias been paid to the introduction of specialty artists in the Anderson trio and Gresham four. It will be remembered when this Company played Stratford last November they made a very favorable impression. The box plan «s at Grubb's. “WITHIN THE LAW.” When Sir Herbert Tree decided to stage “Within the Law” at the fashionable Haymarket Theatre, Loudon, '..here was much head shaking on the part of the cognoscenti, who did not nesitate to declare openly that a play if a distinctively American character ■ ike “Within the Law” would not be appreciated by Loudon playgoers. Nothing dismayed, Sir Herbert Tree decided on the experiment; with the esult that the play was a pronounced mccess from the opening night, and .vhen the last mail left it had reached its 250th performance, and is still hawing crowded houses. So great was he interest aroused in the latest exunple of the virile American drama diat all fashionable London flocked to he Haymarket, and it was difficult to book seats weeks in advance. Royalty give its patronage,, and a command performance was given in the presence of ..both, the King and Queen. According to competent critics, who have seen ;oth the London and' Australian promotion, the latter in'Mo way suffers iy comparison. In olid respect, at oast, there is a distinct'‘gain in favor >.if T the. Australia if interpretation, inksii uf'h as the original American atmosphere of the play is- in ore strongly in ■ ddence. This was brought about by he special importation from New'YTnk' I four of the leading players in that ity—Miss Muriel Starr, Miss Mary Worth, Mr Lincoln Plumer, and Mr ]. WT Morrison. The box plans are

ii>\v open at Grubb’s for the performance in Stratford of this impressive day to bo presented by the, J. C. Williamson management at the Town Tall next Wednesday evening, FohruTry !2Sthi S j .I i i. . • TOWN HALL PICTURES. There was a large and enthusiastic | uidience at tlie Town Hall last evening to witness the initial programme of the Town Hall Pictures.- The ■ pictures were well chosen, and were carried through without a hitch. The star picture, “The Grim Toll of War,” Q a tale of the American Civil War, and will appeal to all who enjoy ! tale of love and war. In the opening scenes is shown how Frederick Douglas, returning after many years i o his home, falls in love with his daughter’s governess and marries her. Mrs Douglas has a brother in the U.S. -•ecret Service, and owing-to « meeting between the two, Douglas, not knowing their relationship, is struck with loalousy, and leaving his home, .loins the army. He sees there his wife’s brother, who while on duty is taken prisoner by the enemy. Escaping, he nakes his way towards the army, but Douglas, seeing him approach, directs. ,i, shot at him, by which he is wound'd. Filled with remorse, Douglas heads a rescuing party, which brings in the wounded man, who dies within a short time. Papers are discovered on ,iim which explain the relationship vitli Mrs Douglas. Douglas returns! to his home, and all ends happily. This is one of the best acted piebes ■Uratford has seen, the battle scenes ,eing very well arranged'. “The Water-Child,” a story of the early Puritan settlers in America, ‘The Pride of Angry Bear,” a tale of Tie Far East, and “In the Land of the Cactus” make up a very good dramatic .ection of the programme. “Jim tho Burglar” causes much laughter, as also Joes “An Eventful Bargain Day.” The scenic section was well represented' in a picture of the Carnival, Nice, and views in the country near Montserrat. An orchestra of five members played appropriate music during the evening. A matinee will bo held this afternoon. HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES. His Majesty’s Theatre was packed to the extreme last night, but all were comfortable, and “Quo Vadis” was received with great enthusiasm. The film proved to be all that had lieen stated about this wonderful production. And when one wishes to view a nerfect portrayal of latest film producions in Kine art, one must visit an up-to-date picture theatre such as Bernard’s Picture Theatre. “Quo Vadis” will he screened to-night for the last time. On Monday next Kalem’s gigantic drama, “Sacrifice at the Spillway”

will bo screened. It tells a story of the making of the Panama Canal and an engineering structure, which lift* barges over a hill. Bob, a barge “hand” and Sal are sweethearts. Curtis, the barge captain, rejects las old fiance and forces his attention upon Sal. This leads to a fight between Bob and Curtis, in which the latter •receives a thrashing. The trouble is continued on a subsequent occasion, and Curtis, while intoxicated, attacks his employer, who endeavoured to intercede. Curtis is thereupon dismissed, and Bob is appointed Captain. Curtis, later on, tries to smash up Bob and his'barge by wrongfully operating the levers on the “spillway.” Bob is saved through the bravery of Sal, who struggles with Curtis. While endeavouring to escape, Curtis is intercepted by Bob, and during a desperate encounter between them on the edge of the “spillway” Curtis’s rejected fiancee shoots the villian dead and saves Bob.