ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 24 February 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"WITHIN THE LAW." TO-NIGHT. This cvcuiii" at the Theatre Koyal. ,!. V. Williamson, Ltd.. will present the I phcnomenaaliv successful play, "Within the Law." The production should be noteworthy from the fact that it will serve to introduce to .New Plymouth J theatre-goers the gifted young actress, | Miss Muriel Starr, who has won golden ! opinions from the critics in Australia and more recently in Wellington, as an 'artist of the front rank. The leading ■Adelaide paper, the Register, says: "MLs •Starr's delineation of Mary Turner is 'singularly commanding. All the way 'through she maintained a wonderful .rhythmic How of emotionalism, always free from those melodramatic outbursts which by some are supposed to be essential to big situations. Miss Starr's art 'has a sustained, steady glow rather than a spasmodic effulgence of passion. Her work palpitates with real Life. There 'are no stage mannerisms or cultivated graces of sincerity. She does not act .the part; she lives it. Spectators are compelled to feel that the picture is adequate and complete." Miss Starr will be supported by a strong east, including three of her compatriots, in Miss Mary Worth. Mr. Lincoln I'lumer and Mr. E. W. .Morrison. Miss Worth I is said to be a very clever comedienne, and Mr. Plumer is credited wit hgiving a convincing picture of it Xew York police inspector. Mr. Morrison, who is the producer of the play, has also been highly praised for his line acting as •Joe Carson. .Mr. Erie Maxon, who is 'favorably known in Xew Plymouth, is also a member of the company, together with Miss Sylvia liremer, Miss Marjorie ■'Sopor, Miss Rose Emers'on and Messrs Boyd Irwin, Winter Hall, Herbert Ford, .lon-Maxwell and George Chalmers. The box plans are at Collier's music warehouse.

KOYAL PICTURE'S. "THE BATTLE OF GETTi^OURG." A battle picture appeals to everyone who possesses the smallest clement of the primitive fighting instinct. Such a picture must, however, be carefully handled. It demands more realism tb~the ordinary production, for it must, in no way, sifggest the burlesque. To this end, the best artists, the highest talent in the science of moving-picture photography, and the most realistic scenery has been employed in the production of the latest thrilling picture, ''The Battle of Gettysburg," screened at the Theatre Koyal last night. From a historic point of view, "The Battle of Gettysburg" is one of the most famous. It was the bloodiest battle fought during .the whole of the long and terrible Civil War which swept America. It was fought <m the little round hill of Gettysburg, when Loc was advaneiug into Maryland, and the terrible struggle which took place is beyond the power of words to describe. The picture gives an incomparably better idea of it, showing in stern realism Leo's advance, the charge of Pickett's division, and all' the harrowing scenes of bloodshed and disaster which are inseparable from a battle picture snch as this..

There is another and no less realistic side to tin; picture, interwoven with the history of the buttle is the lovestory of Lieut. .Tack Lamar and beautiful Virginia Burke, the girl in Confederate grey. Probalilv some -cople may think that the introduction of an ordinary love drama into an historical picture cheapens the production by bringinar 't down to the. level of the ordinary moving picture "thrill," but every historical event has had its bearing on Unlives of the people in whose midst it was enacted, and ha- done its share in tlie building of national and individual character. None more so than the various civil wars in America and in England. A civil war tests every fibre of the character to its utmost' limit. Families have been divided, homes shattered, father fk'hting against son, brother fighting aenvfist brother. The Americans took the .field fighting each as I)is convictions bade him. This is what the introduction of a healthy love-story into the pictures of "The Battle of 'Gettysburg" does for the audience. It gives them an insieht, as nothing else could do, into the true inwardness of a civil war. "The Battle of Oettysbnrg" pictures must be seen to be appreciated.

THKATIiK HOYAI, IMCLTRES. Owing to the Theatre Royal being otherwise engaged this (Tuesday), tomorrow (Wednesday), and Thursday evenings, there will be no pictures shown there till Friday evening next. The management' promises something new and attractive for next Friday and Saturday nights without any extra charge for admission. Particulars of tile programme will appear in to-mor-row's issue.

THKATRE ROYAL, TO-MORROW. THE NORWOODS. Judging by the interest centred in the return visit of the Norwoods, local amusement seekers undoubtedly nail with delight the advent of these popular entertainers, who are billed to open for a two-nights' season at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening (Show night). Professor Norwood uses his own «ta?o equipment, beautiful draped velvet hangings and curtains, stage carpets and furnishings, and the various scenes and acts are splendidly dressed with brilliant and expensive wardrobe and effect*, to depict the different, '•'hypnotic" representations. A Wellington exchange, September lii, 1013, ssi\s: 'The impression the popular -I'rofessor' made on his visit last year was one that was a lasting- ene, and. needless to say, a very good one, as was proved by the successful season of sixnights which has just been concluded at the Opera House." We have been told that hearty laughter is Nature's best medicine, and the Norwoods, being the sole proprietors of the 'laughing formula' dispense it to their patrons in liberal doses. Some of Mi.-,s Winifred Norwood's acts were very intricate and aroused considerable enthusiasm anion" the large audience. The musical director, Mr. Harry Wilson, a pianist of high repute in America, will dispense the latest American and Continental musical success during the evening. A complete change of programme will be presented nightly. The plans for reserved seats for front, stalls and dress circle may be seen at Collier's, where seats may be booked without extra fee.