AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 72, 24 November 1915, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. A QUESTION OF COURAGE. A thrilling war drama entitled “A Question oi : Courage” is the principal film with to-uight’s programme at His -Majesty’s Theatre. The picture briefly depicts a soldier’s widow and her three sons at dinner, when the country calls for men, Harry, the oldest son is fatally wounded. The mother covers his chair with the Hag which draped the portrait of her dead husband. The second son is also killed. The mother' resolves the remaining son shall not be killed, goes into camp and pleads with her son who chooses between love and duty. The film throughout ranks amongst the best of its class produced. Other pictures to be screened are War Gazetet, Fatty, Mabel and the Law, Dudley Buxton’s Cartoons, The Better Way, and a capital Lubin drama entitled “The Human Investment.”

“MOTHER GOOSE” PANTOMIME. The performance of the pantomime extravaganza, “Mother Goose,”’ by Mr Stanley McKay’s Ml oval Pantomime Company in the Town Hall last night was witnessed by a fairly good audience, which was provided by downstairs patrons principally. Altogether, the evening was very enjoyable, and though, no doubt, all the items did not suit all tastes all the time, very few patrons did not feel that in relishing some turns sometimes they , had got their money’s worth, if not a bit over. The outstanding features of the evening were the specialities. Will Speed, the tramp cyclist, provided the best exhibition of tricks on the wheel that has been placed before Stratlord thea-tre-goers, while the work of the Fredo ! Brothers in their great musical aerojbatic act was a big ‘stunt.” The more awkward the positions they got |in to the more both to enjoy 'fiddling on their violins. The ambience demanded an encore—and got it, 'to their delight. As to the pantoImime itself, the part of Mother Goose, [by Mr Jimmy Gerald,was a very clever 'piece of acting, and his patter was I good and not too strong, only that at I least one local gag came within the Ilatter category. Still, he was responsible for a great amount oi fun, ''and his performance was excellent !and greatly appreciated. Mr M ill Bayuer, as lying Cole, was a merry old soul in veVy truth, and ho played his part well. His singing of “The Deathless Army,” was hugely enjoyed, this line patriotic song being given with much • eclat. Miss Jtssic Jennings, made a vivacious Boy Blue, her singing and acting being very pleasing throughout. Miss Rosie Coleman would make » more agreeable Little Bed Biding Hood if her voice, was more suited to the part; otherwise her performance was good. I Miss Carmen Coleman (Johnny Stout ), I Miss Annie Lillilund (hairy Daystar), 'Mr Richard Dunbar (The Wolf), and jM.r Will Speed (Matilda) all filled their niches in the panto, satisfactorily. Mother Goose’s School lor 'Naughty Children was true to type. T)ie staging !of the panto, was rather better than: some" of the previous pantos, that have been put on here. 'Tlio dressing was very attractive and dancing and ballots were above the average. The duets, “Love Me j while the Loving’s Good,” and “I’ve, got all 1 want hut you,” by Miss 1 Jennings and Mr B. B. Hood might be voted the best vocal efforts of the evening, outside Mr Earner's items. • „ of.course.