AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1914, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

> r. ■ : i ■. i . 1 ' i “OLDi MOTHER HUBBARD.” There is every indication that the first performance of the Royal Pantomime Company in “Old Mother Hubbard” at the Town Hall to-morrow night will be. made for a crowded house. . .The. occasions are rare indeed that. Stratford playgoers aro afforded the opportunity of witnessing a pantomime at popular prices, especially when it is to be said that the pantomime to be staged compares more than favorably with any others that have been staged here. “Old Mother Hubhard” has been a winning card for the Royal Pantomime Company for several years past, and is now played to crowded houses throughout the Dominion. A feature of “Old Mother Hubbard” will be the dressing, which vill be on an extensive and lavish scale; this not only applying to the principals, but also to the chorus* as well. The ballot will present many novelties, the prinicpal being ragtime revue, the latest style of dancing, including the well known Tango dance, being introduced. The specialty turns, always a feature in pantomime, are mainly provided by the Anderson trio and the Gresham four, and these artists will introduce several novelties and also some clever acrobatic and hand balancing work. Mr Harry White, Australia’s foremost scenic artist, was intrusted with the work, and has turned out some striking scenes. Miss Kathleen .Mark, the principal boy, as “Robin,” will be heard in new songs. 31 r Bruce Drysdale, as the “Dame” is the life and soul o ftlie piece, his comedy being ol a very high order. Miss Elsie Nicolas, is principal girl, and has some charm-j ing songs to sing. The box plan is on view at Grubb’s. “WITHIN THE LAW.” . I Next Wednesday evening, February j 25, J. C. Williamson will present atj the Town Hall the wonderfully suc-j cessfnl dramatic play “Within the Law,” interpreted by an exceptionally strong cast, headed by the brilliant young American actress, Miss Muriel Starr, who was specially chosen in New York to create the part of Mary Turner in Australia. Miss Starr made a striking success in . Australia and received the highest praise from the critics in Wellington during the run of the play in that city. “Within the Law” has a unique record from the fact that it proved to he the greatest dramatic success of the year in three countries so far apart, not only geographically, hut in dramatic taste, as England, America and Australia. Writing from Now York, Mr Clyde Meynell referred to a number of productions he had soon in that city and Chicago. “T went to ‘Within the Law’ the first night -I spent in New York,” wrote Mr Meynell, “and I was really amazed at the effect it had on the audience. At the .present time, when ‘graft’ and corruption in police circles is the big sensation, it was not surprising that the audience wont wild over the play as it developed to the stage where the innocent young girl, after serving three years in prison on a false charge, is hounded down by the. police, and determines to bp revenged, I saw men and women rise from their

seats with tense expressions, as ii they were seeing ghosts. A. H. Woods, who is running ‘Within the Law,’ lias made a huge fortune out of it.” The box plans are now open at Grubb’s. HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES. On Saturday night “Quo Vadist ” was screened for the last time before a crowded house. The management and also the N.Z. Picture Supplies are to lie complimented upon the highclass films they are securing, as evidenced by “Quo Vadis ?” To-night’s new series introduces 1 Kalom’s masterpiece “Sacrifice at the Spillway.” This picture tells of an exciting story of an American girl, her engineer lover, and the making of the Panama Canal. The scenes are depicted on the actual spot. Thfl programme also includes the latest Pathe Gazette, Salmon Fishing on Columbia River, the Gaumont Graphic and “A Mexican Bull Fight.” In the latter the pictures are taken on the occasion of a feast. At 0.30 p.m. the rocket is fired, and the bulls are released. Flanked by crowds of sight-seers they career down the streets, a most impressive sight. Tfi the arena the battle of strength ami wit beween the skilled toreador and the splendid beast is seen. “The Stolen Treaty” is an A.B. dramatic sensation. On the day of the meeting which should settle the controversy regarding the Panama Canal, the Japanese Embassy commissioned Olga to obtain a copy of the agree,ment. The young secretary to the Secretary of State became her dupe, but the detective succeeds in recovering the stolen treaty by a clever unwinding of threads, taking a desperate and thrilling change. “Simple Simon and the 'Rajah’s Diamonds” is a fine Gaumont comedy. On Wednesday next an Edison picture of Chas. Reade’s novel “Foul Play,” will be shown. Reade was the author of “It’s Never too Late to Mend.” TOWN HALL PICTURES. There was a good audience at the 'Town Hall on Saturday evening when the opening programme was repeated. To-night there will bo a complete change of programme the list being headed by “Ronds of Marriage,” a (000 ft. star film. Other dramatic pictures are “Battle in Virginia Hills,” “Flag of Freedom,” and “Love Token.” An interesting educational picture is “The Busy Bee.” The fie pictures will he Supported hr the usual lot" of screaming comics. As the theatre will lie’ otherwise engaged on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, ’ to-njght’s, programme will •be repeated pri Thursday.