AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 12, 8 December 1916, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

FOLEY'S PICTURES. “IRIS/ I Commencing to-night at His Majesty’s Theatre, another all-star programme will he given, when a picture version of Pinero’s famous drama, “Iris,” will be screened for the first time in Stratford, It is said'to be a masterpiece of film production. The story deals with a wealthy young widow, who loses the whole of her fortune through dishonest lawyers, and is later captivated by a millionaire. The scenes which follow, and the climax, are dramatic in the extreme. A capital programme supports the star, chief of which is a pretty bird film, entitled “Birds of Foreign Lands.” A new “Mutt and Jeff” episode, and the “War Gazette,” will also be screened. The usual matinee will be held on Saturday at 1.30.

MERRY MUSICAL MAORIS. The Town Hall was packed upstairs and there was a good downstairs audience to witness the performance of the Merry Musical Maoris from. Waitara last night. A long programme of songs, poi dancess, and hakaa was presented, and this was neaxly doubled by encores, few of the dusky performers not meeting with such applause as to necessitate a return number. Tbe curtain rose on a Maori pall, with the British bull-dog waiting at the door, and Maori men and maidens grouped upon the floor. It was a line scene, the multi-colored mats and costumes of the various performers combining to make a striking and picturesque ensemble. The songs were mostly of a patriotic nature, appealing to the sentiment of the hour, and were delivered in the simple way of the Native so well-recognised by dwellers in these parts. The Maoris are natu--ral actors, quick at picking up the idiosvncrasies of the White Man, especially his vices, hut last night our dusky brothers were never so free from* guile. Indeed, many could have wished that the Pakeha had been copied in matters of stageland, especially as regards the finished article in vocalists. To be candid, there was keen disappointment at the quality of the voices, and with few exceptions, a great deal of brushing-up requires to be attended to before the public should be invited to pay for admittance, iho male singers were very passable, while the choruses lifted the performance out of the ruck. The singing and acting of little Miss Hlana Ermm in. “Your King and Country Need You” and “The British Bull-dog Waiting ab the Door,” were the best of the evening, and the comic items by lhaia Mo a, “Harrigan” and “Who's Your Lady Friend?” were much appreciated. Teko Waiters’s “Long Long Trail” and the duet “Uncle Joe” by Teko and HoTdreinga Teira were excellently done.