AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 73, 17 March 1914, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

o HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES* The third anniversary of this popular Theatre was celebrated last night by a huge crowd of admirers of Madame Bernard’s enterprise and well-known generous treatment of local institutions. The invitation programme screened was as good as any previously seen at this cosy picture-show, and was thoroughly enjoyed. During the evening, Mr Will Diamond, on behalf of Madame Bernard, made a short speech thanking the audience for their support in the past. He stated that although Madame Bernard had made the Theatx-e a success, she spent the money made in the town for the benefit of all the local people. Mr Diamond referred to the fact that the members of the orchestra and staff, numbering altogether nearly a dozen, were all local residents. Incidentally, Mr Diamond stated that theirs was no amateur show, they had been in the business for the past 45 years, having /started many shows, including the well-known combination, Wirth’s Circus. They had worked in almost every phase of the show business from the sawdust ring right up to grand opera. The few’ thousands of pounds brought into Stratford was made in other countries and was put into the business with the object of building it up and making His Majesty’s a permanent institution in the district. It was often remarked at the outset that the Pictures would never last, but Madame Bernard had the complete satisfaction now' of knowing that her faith in the town had not been misplaced. For the future, too, it was her intention to progress on the same firm lines, and with this idea had joined the re-cently-formed combine, which embraced the leading picture proprietors and film-hirers in Australasia. Among the advantages of this w'ere that His Majesty’s Pictures received the latest releases of the world’s leading makers, and which carridl with them the exclusive rights of Yitagraphs, American Biographs, Seligs, Celios, Lubins, Kalems, Melios, Pathes, Gaiimonts, Broncos, Kaybees, Majesties, Reliances and lonics. Mr Diamond expressed the sincere thanks of Madame Bernard for all the sympathy and support accorded to her for the past three years and the hope that she would be with them for many years to come. The audience reciprocated these kindly sentiments in a manner that must have been very gratifying to Madame and her staff, the whole gathering cheering enthusiastically, «uch remarks as “Good luck to you!” "Shake it up!” “Keep it going!” being heard above the applause. At the conclusion the orchestra played “Auld Lang Syne,” some of the more hearty supporters of the Theatre joining in the old refrain.

The same programme of films will he shown this evening. To-morrow the star picture is Gaumonfs colored drama “The Fall of Constantinople,” which will be shown for the first time.