ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 290, 17 May 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"WHO'S Till; LADY?" "The idol of Paris," us created by MM. J.feniqilin and Yei'bcr, Cobotte soon alter her conquering first appearance, in "Who's tlie LadyV" became the heroine of every adventure with which a pretty woman was associated. Oobettc was as familiar to the gamins of Baris as to the habitues of the Luis. On Thursday, .May 20, Beaumont ,Kjnitli and Leslie lloskins will, in presenting "Who's the Lady?" at the Theatre Royaj, jNcw ITymoulh, not only introduce Oobefle, but m person reintroduce .Miss Kthel ikuw, and with her all the popular members of "The Clad Lye'' Company. The accurate drawing to type of their characters in "Who's the Lady?" by the gifted authors made for instantaneous success in Paris, and within a few weeks London, too, was chuckling with delight and rivalling the gay city as to which would eventually claim the honors of the longest run. Beaumont Smith and Leslie lloskins held back '"'Who's the Lady!" during the first visit of the company in order that they might feature the comedy for a special tour, which commenced in a, whirlwind of enthusiasm in Wellington, and which has violently increased ever since. The box ollice will open to-morrow at Collier's.

EMPIRE THEATRE. The new programme shown at the Empire la 3 t Saturday evening was headed by a star pictorial dramatisation of A, C. Cunter's world-wide popular novel, "Air. Barnes of New York," with .Maurice Costello as Mr. Barnes. Air. Cunter's books—"Mr. Potter of Texas." ".Miss Nobody of Nowhere,'' and "Air. Barnes of New York"—have always been among, j tlie most popular sellers of tiie day, a fact which no doubt weighed with'the. \ ltagraph Company when it secured the

sole exclusive rights to produce "Mr. ,1 Barnes of .New York" in picture form. No cost was spared in adopting the work to tlie kinoinatograph, and it is said that to date "Mr. Barnes of New York" is easily the most expensive picture yet sent out from the Vitagraph studios. When the company allotted the part of Mr. Barnes to .Maurice Costello, that actor's well-known power of characterisation was taken into account, and in his hands the character seems to almost live. Mr. Barnes, a wealthy American, was travelling in Europe when lie met Count Danolla, who invited him to his estate in Corsica. Here lie meets the Count's ward, .Marina Paoli. Owing to the death of her brother in a duel, I Marina swears a vendetta against his J slayer, a British naval ollicer, lint love, which overcomes all obstacle*, shows her the following of prosecuting the vendetta to the end, and she marries Gerald Anstruther. Barnes becomes involved owing to his love for Anstruthcr's sister, and

then his sensational adventures commence. Every inch of the 5000 of drama which embodies incidents in Monte Carlo, Corsica and France," is erammed full of sensational and exciting Kcenes. Barnes, in daily peril of his life, keeps pare with the adventures, and finally .lie persuades the beautiful Enid Anstruther to wed him. thus completing ] the chain of incidents ami bringing the •] story to an end. The acting and production is on a splendid scale, and "Mr. I Barnes of New York''' will Tank as one of the best feature films yet introduced at this popular picture house. Supporting pictures include a. Keystone eomedv, , "Dash and Splash,''' the latest edition of "The Gamnont Graphic," "Beautiful California," an exquisite scenic, and • "Two's Company.." a comedy Music ia supplied by Mrs. 'George.