AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 281, 25 November 1914, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATfIE. A grand special series of plays will be screened to-night at His Majesty's Theatre, including a great feature drama, "Fighting Blood of 1809," the life-story of Andreas Hofer, the brave Tyrolist patriot and deliverer, a true.to-life story. There are many exciting scenes in this play, including the light at Still Bridge, aim. a realistic conflict between French soldiers and tlie peasants of the Tyrol. "Pathe Gazette" lias many events oi extreme interest, and contains the latest events of the world. A trip in Southern India is a perfect travel picture. Most people do not realise the value of this class of educational picture. Edison plays are always appreciated, and "Grandmother's Wed ding Dress" is a true Edison drama of memory and remorse. "The Fatal Mallet" is a Keystone play of fun fast and furious. Mr Will Diamond will sing "How Britishers Die.""

THE STORY PF "BgNTY." Mr Watson Moffat, it) an Americai magazine, narrates lio\V Ids' brother Mr Graham Moffat, whom he call "Bill," wrote "Bunty Pulls th Strings," which is to be staged a. the Stratford Town Hall on Saturda; evening. "Bunty," he says, "wa written about six years ago, and Bil didna want to have it produced unti some of the sketches and one-act play ; he had written before had made thei success. He didila realise that 'Bunty being, as it is, an inspired picture o. his ain mither, had so rare a place ii dramatic literature. It is plays inspir ed from the heart that have reache* and touched the hearts of the whoh world. The humour of Bill's comedy though it appears unconscious, is reall,, the best part of his skill as a dramatist Bill always had a great sense of huir. or, and I have heard him read 'Bunty from the manuscript and laughei heai'tly at the humor. The come'd; lines which have pleased the audience most in 'Bunty' are things that Bill ha heard the village folk say, and thing; he has seen them dl>, when he wa travelling wi' his sister Kate on thes. concert tours. For many reason; 'Bunty' is the accumulation of Bill': keen recollections of Scottish types It was probably written originally will the idea that it should be present? as an entertainment, to be used o tour in Scotland. For that reason i has the charm of being untheatrieal unqualified. There is in 'Bunty' th prevailing element of reverence for the Kirk, for to the Scotchman resolutioi in religious matters is the most im portant part of' his nature. I didm believe that Bill intended to do anything more in writin' 'Bunty' than U portray faithfully the conditions anc people he saw in rural Scotland. Hi ain sympathies are wholly with the ideals of the theatre, and he believe; that tha as lf mu£ J £ ( to the soul and the happiness of humai nature as the kirk. Evidently he respected the purpose of the stage otherwise he would not have made i composite sketch of his ain mither iiit< a play, as he has done in 'Bunty. There has been no idealisation o 'Bunty's' character either. Everyone who has seen and understood 'Bunty's nature has loved Her, for, there is not; finer woman in the world than the original 'Bunty.' " The box plan is at Mr T. G. Grubb's.

"SAN TOY." It is hardly necessary to remind theatregoers of the performance ol "San Toy" to be given by the New Plymouth Operatic Society to-morrow (Thursday) evening. There are man} who will have pleasant recollections of "The. Geisha" and "A Country Girl" by this talented company, and judging from the booking are not going to miss the chance of seeing "San Toy." Those who witnessed the final rehearsal in the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, predict that this will be the star performance and eclipse any previous efforts of the company. The costumes are elaborate, almost to the point of brilliancy. The scenery, from the brush of the artist, Mr A. M. Bradbury, excels his best. The staging and light effects, together with the splendid orchestra, will without a doubt captivate the pessimist. The cast, which appeal's in another column, has been greatly strengthen, ed by the inclusion of the talented actress, Mrs Birch-Johnstone, who plays the leading role of "San Toy." while Mr Will McEw'en, of "Geisha" fame, plays Li, with Miss Kathie Bennett, another Geisha favorite, playing "Dudley." ,The supporting principals and chorus have been well selected, and among many other attractions are the Emperor's bodyguard of female soldiers, and a very pretty ballet.