AMUSEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 31 January 1917, Page 4

AMU SEMENTS.

“WHAT '£o JONEb. That merry farce “Gnat HapptßJjMi to Jones,” will be presented at tne Town Hall, Taihape, on Friday lie.A, February 2, for one night only, oy George Willoughby's new masked farce company, ibis farce is, as umsL theatre-goers Know, a laugh-produci.ig monstrosity. It juggles with the absurd, and is stranger to realty. The Claims it as one of the largesisuccesses, whilst me legitimate or normal theatre-goers admit it being the best farce of modern times, quoting an extract from me Melbourne Age, which says: “The first appearance of George Willoughby's new musical farce company at the Princess Theatre is by no means the least merry, for it is being devoted to a revival of George Broadhuim’s most hilarious of farcical comedies, “What Happened to Jones,” winch was given to a crowded and delightful house on Saturday evening. Mr. M .11oughby as the irrepressible “commercial Jones,” has been often seen before in the part in Melbourne, am. it is no empty tribute to say 4 that he has never played it better than £e did Saturday evening. From his first entrance his brisii and breezy style captivated the audience, and his numerous escapades, pitfalls and resourcefulness in wriggling out of them kept the audience uproarously amused. Since its original presentation “What Happened to Jones” has undertaken some alterations, inasmuch as that the latest successful musical numbers and dances have been introduced in such a manner as to be a welcome and cheerful addition to an already successful play. To achieve success in the musical numbers of the pieces George Willoughby has surrounded himself with some of the best known musical comedy artists, notable amongst them being, the Misses June Addell, Edna Seaton, Florence Fanning, Muriel Dale, Florence Leigh, Messrs Arthur Albert, Frank Brockes, David Jefferson, Fred Bolt, Harry Halley, Walter Ironsides and others. The box plan is now on view at Shenvin’s.

THREE STARS

The change of programme to-night-will be headed by one of the -London Film Company’s masterly dramatic plays, entitled, “Paste.” Richard Waite is a jewel-setter, conten:*ilf& with the modest home, his wife and pretty daughter, Viola. There is only one cloud in his life; Mrs Waite is a hhsptomaniac. Into the little home CTirnes an unexpected visitor, Waite’s brother. Brother Samuel has made his pile, and chuckles over Waite 's contentment and excitement over the great sura of £-100, which he has saved up in order to purchase his house. The house is not bought, for just when Waite has his money all ready in exchange foil the deeds, he is forced by a blackmailing detective who lias seen Mrs Waite shoplifting, to hand over the £4OO in order to save his wife from prison; but on the morrow Waite receives a cheque fon £2OOO from his prosperous brother, and a new spirit enters into the jewel-setter. He leaves his employer and becomes the partner of an unscrupulous dealer, Manning. Now Waite lias the soul of an artist, and a flaw in his stones or a ! bit of bad workmanship are alike abhorrent to him. Manning on the other hand cares for nothing but gain. Friction between the two is inevitable. It is a great blow to Manning when a rupture takes place between Prince Malletta and the French actress, La Targe, for the Prince had been a good customer, never dreaming that his secretary Do Silva, and La Targe herself, have drawn handsome commissions from the diamond merchant.

EVERYBODY’S.

The management of Everybody’s presented a varied programme last evening, foremost among several excellent pictures being the- photoplay, “Bought,” by the World Film Corporation. The situations which mark the various tsages of the story are presented with skill and decision, and the actress, .with Mr Fred Lewis in the lead, show a thorough knowledge of the responsibilities of their roles. The story is powerful and impressive, and in places far above the drama of its kind. Miss Ethel Grey Terry makes a fine study, and is a fresh and clever actress. ‘ ‘Bought ’ ’ has a homelike atmosphere about it which makes it the more wonderful. The complications which arise are possible, and the matrimonial life of many a person is shown with unusual truthfulness. It is a film worth seeing. The programme wT> be presented to-night for the last time.