ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 266, 20 April 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE 'COY. The box plan for the Plimmer-11x11 Coy. is now open at Collier's, and, as was anticipated, a big rush for seats took place. The opening date is Thursday next at the Theatre Royal, and there is very little doubt the theatre will be taxed to its utmost capacity. ""The Tdumrny and the Humming Bird" will be produced and it is said the company are seen to very great advantage, each artist having been specially selected for the respective parts. In a recent criticism of this play, an exchange says: "The peculiarity of the play is that while the plot seems to be disclosed in a very simple fashion in the first act unusual complexities itrise afterwards, and the course of events takes quite a different turn to what is naturally expected. In the first act the '"mummy" is so absorbed in scientific pursuits that he neglects the delicate attentions which are expected by a young wife. The "humming bird" is an Italian litterateur, who attempts to fill the place of the husband. This Italian in his early career has figured as a seducer of a Sicilian wife, and the husband of the same comes in contact with the scientist. Afterwards 'the w"fe of the sscientist becomes involved in the toils of the "humming bird" adventurer. The Sicilian organ-grinder, obsessed by a desire to wreak revenge on the man who has ruined and caused the death of his wife, becomes the valet of the scientist, and the "hummingbird" is practically run to earth. The ramifications, however, are not just what are expected, so that the interest in what seems a simple plot at the beginning is increased. Finally, however, the "mummy" scientist is reconciled to his wife, and the Italian adventurer, after pleading on his knees for I mercy, is allowed to escape.

EMPIRE THEATRE. GROSS RBCEIPTS FOR THE BELGIANS. The management of the Empire Pie- j ture Company announce that next Friday night will be "April" night in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. This will be the fifth effort made by the company since the start of the present lamentable war. and it is the intention of the management to continue giving one night each month, as long, as the war continues, for the same object. All expenses in connection with the entertainment are borne by the management and the total gross door receipts are handed to the fund.

EMPIRE THEATRE. For the change of programme to-night the Empire Theatre management are presenting an extra attraction in the vivid war drama, produced by the Life Photo Film Company, entitled "The Ordeal." This film has caused muA controversy in the American papers o«'in to an application for its withdrawal from Hammerstein's Opera House in New York on account of the pro-German feeling. A meeting was held and owing to pressurs being brought to bear the Commissioner of Licenses requested the Life Photo Film Company to prohibit its screening, the reason given being that the action was suggestive of the alleged Genmn atrocities during the Franco-Prtu'ii.in War. Jean Renyea and his sweetheart, Helene, are the central figures of the play. War is declared, and Helene force, Jean to remain at home. Jean's refusal to enlist staggers his father, an old soldier, .who eventually rouses his sou's patriotic spirit, and he determines 'twixt love and duty, and, regardless of his sweetheart's pleadings, finally enlists. Events move so swiftly that the drama becomes a whirlpool of exciting situations. The most thrilling moments -if the play are when Jean refuses to reveal his general's position. He sees his mother, father, and sweetheart tortured, and put to death separately. These moment? have never been equalled for intensity, while the end of the story is said to make one gasp, and—to the wonderful surprise of all—the ending is a hapuy one. The supporFmg items include an Edison farce, "Getting to the Ball Game" and "Maid from Sweden," a spandi'ig Vitagraph comedy. The usual interesting war news will be supplied by the Pathe Gazette.