AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 66, 17 July 1915, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Notwithstanding the very strong counter-attraction at the Town Hall last night, there was a satisfactory attendance at His Majesty’s Theatre to witness the second screening of the well-known farce comedy, “My Friend from India.” It is an exceedingly funny play, and the picture presentation of it with W. E. Perkins, the original barber-philosopher “Friend from India” in the title role loses none of the fun of the play. The latest War Gazette was watched with greatest interest, the march of the Allies being especially good. The supporting films are: “White Sea Fisheries,” a.

magnificent view of a trawler in a gale is here depicted. Bully Boy (cartoon 1 ), Persistent Mr Prince (comedy). To-night will he the final screening of the programme, and everything new will he presented on Monday, headed by the sth series of “Adventures of

Ivathlyn,” entitled “The Colonel in Chains.”

“A ROMANCE IN IRELAND.”

The characterization of Irish fam-' ily life has never been so faitlilully displayed in Stratford as was the ease last evening at the Town Hall at the hands of Allen Donne and his clover company. Witty, warm-hearted, generous, loving, and forgiving, as the true Irishman ever is, the performance of Allen Doone as Larry O’Daly (a gay gossoon) captured the hearts of the large audience, who sympathised with him in his trials, laughed with him in his courtship troubles, and loved him in his songs and witticisms and final triumph. Larry was well supported throughout by the other members of the company. Miss Edna Keelev as Noi'idi making a sweet colleen, who can tear a piece oft' the hem of her petticoat and stuff it in Larry’s bagpipes without having the least little hit of leg show. Miss Ethel Grist’s Biddy Dolan (a dacint widdy woman) was very clever, and Mr M. Lynch in his character of the lover of the widdy was no less capable and amusing. Mr Ronald W. Riley as Patrick Doyle was a typical Irish gentleman farmer, while in Father o‘Flyuufparish priest) Mr Frank Cnllenane has never been better. The minor parts were well sustained, “A Romance in Ireland" —r was staged with due regard to the associations. The farmhouse on Doyle’s farm was excellently put on, being clothed iu a wealth of creepers, greenery and flowers. In the second act the the churchyard scene was a memorable

one. Larry’s lament over the grave of his mother being a powerful piece of acting. But the most realistic and striking scene was the light between Larry and N'orah’s brother in Norah’s bedroom at midnight. The men and the crockery were mixed in a delightfully refreshing manner, and Larry’s disposal of his adversary by rolling him up in the carpet and then jumping through the open window was sufficiently exciting for all. To say the audience were satisfied with the evening’s entertainment is putting the position mildly. Most likely all would go again if only to hear Allen Dm me sing “A Toast to Erin,”