AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 202, 30 September 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

"AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME." THE DRAMA OF THE DAY.

That the interest in the forthcoming production of the above play is at feverheat can he seen by the large booking of seats which has already taken place for to-morrow (Friday) night, Ist October, when "An Englishman's Home" will be staged at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth. Mr. Edwin Geach, having made arrangement's with Mr. J. C. Williamsoi, will present tfie above play on a huge scale of splendor. A company of specially-selected English artists has been engaged to fill all the principal parts of the piece. The air of mystery m regard to "An Englishman's llonu" before its sensational production ut Wyndham's Theatre was so rigidly maintained that the rehearsals were conducted not at Wyndham's, but ao some other theatre whoso name was not given to the public. The author now announced as Major du Maurier was simply described on the programme as "A Patriot." Mr. Frank Curzon, under whose management the piece was pro. iluced, knew who "A Patriot" was, but otherwise his identity remained a sccivi until it was turn from the reluctant keeping of those "in tile know," presuming- by enterprising interviewers afte: the play had cans it a furore. It was supposed' on tin's side of the globe wh.'ii news caini' of the remarkable enthusiasm exhibited at Wyndham's Theatre that the new drama must have been materially assisted by spectacular scenery, but (lie contrary is the case, for an advance paragraph in the London Daily Telegraph shows that the three nets pass in one scene in twenty-four hours, and that an interior—"The playroom of Mr. Brown's House, Myrtle Villa, Wiekhiini, in Essex." This indicates that "An Englishman's Home" lias won popularity by its Stirling appeal to patriotism anil no doubt by its striking dramatic situations. The question whether it was a work purporting to show that Upland was not prepared for war was duly considered by the management, and at times the fate of the new piece trembled in the balance; but at last it was decided to go on—with what result everyone knows. The box plan is open at Collier's, where seats may be booked without extra charge. Prices are 4s, 3s, and 2s.

WEST'S PICTURES. ■ Owing to the theatre being booked for Friday night West's Pictures will appear on Saturday afternoon and evening, and the programme to be submitted promises to be of an exceptionally attractive nature. West's name is a hall-mark for the highest -possible standard in moving pictures, and no expense has been spared by Mr. West in order to present them to the public in the most perfect manner. The pictures arc presented with an entire absence of flicker, which so often detracts from the average biograph exhibition, while the subjects cater for all tastes. A feature of the entertainment are the accompanying mechanical and musical effects.