ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TtlE VIOLET LANDIEti. At the Theatre lloya.l on Wednesday and Thursday neat an entirely new English costume, comedy company, culled "The Violets," will make its lire* appearance under the direction of Edward Branscombe Proprietary, Ltd. This company consists of lour ladies and six gentlemen, dressed in the dainty French picriH>t costume. The last proniiuont 'company of tills style passed away recently in the English Follies, who achieved very considerable success in London. "The Violets'" entertainment i,s mouldi'<l on similar lines to the Follies, and it is as perfect as export producers can make it. Tim style of entertainment is somewhat akin to that presented by the popular Dandies, but there is a subtle difference noticeable which has found much favor, and which in consequence the management deem it wise to preserve. The voices of the "The Violets" have created the most favorable comments, for though the work of the company is mainly humorous, the vocal standard luis been cenrel'uHy kept on a very high level, s 0 that- in the humorous concerted work it is not only the lighter vein which is touched, but the musical taste is appealed to as''well.. Then again dancing sceuas are an important factor in tbi.s company, notably the "Champagne Seena," "Pierrot and Pierrette," "Old things are best" and "The Rendezvous." Every artist is on the very best terms with every other artist, anil this "happy family" atmosphere is immediately felt across the footlights. It is confidently asserted that both on and off the stage "The Violets" will be found the most popular coterie that Mr. Branscombe lias yet introduced to local followers. The box plan is at Collier's. "KUN'TY PCiIJ.,S^ra"ESTI!IX{bS" \\D " A ?CißA|l>E 0' THE PEX."

The production of Mr. Graham Moffat's successful S'eotch comedy, "Bunlv Pulls the Strings" in the Theatre Roval on M.onday week, August. 1(1, will add to the list, of world-famous plays which have been seen here. Although the action takes place in the Scotch village of Liiuiehaugh, and the characters ph?e<i by Seotch-ibrod actors an-.l actress,-

is c'aimed that it appeals alike to the Englishman as to tlie Scot, and its ringing note of genuineness i,-, a clarion erv to the masses as well as to the dilettante. ''Wherever tlie Kngli,h language is spoken, not omitting America,"'says tlie Sydney Referee, "'liunty Pulls tlie .Strings,' by reason of its 'broad humanity, must find a sympathetic echo with all elates of play-goers, and in so doing it fulfils the sovereign duty of all iVays. When 'Bunty Pulls the'strings' she sets in motion as artisti.allv moulded a specimen of whimsical (.id-''comedy of manners' as.has [.raced the contemporary stage. Not since 'Milestones' burst like a comet on the local theatrical firmament has anything been seen in ■Sydney to rival the play. Eragrant witji the hreath of 'mil' Scotland, it pulsates with the warm red Wood of •vital human naturalism. The simple humanity, the innate reality of, every action and word in 'Hunty' Pulis the Strings' gives it a pulsing, joyous spirit of l ! i'e that flows unchecked across the footlights and touches a revenberatin-r fhnrd in the hearts of the audience. It is in (his respect—its appealing simplicity of atmosphere-that it reaches the highest pinnacle of ail, and by the very force of its vibrant humanueas, tat's precedence to 'Milestones.' "

On Tuesday evening, August 17, will 'be. presented Graham Moffat's now comedy of Scottish farm life, entitled ''A Scrape o' the Pen," with practically a new east of eJiaraclors. To enable Mr. Moll'at to successfully present both eoim edies it entails travelling a company of over 30 Scottish comedians, and Mr/and Mrs. .Moffatt and all the original members of their company will positively appear in New Plymouth. The box plans for the two-nights' season open at Hoffmann's on Thursday next. UMPIRE PICTURES. Sexton Blake has no rival in the hearts of lovers of the sensational detective drama, and throughout England lvjs name is a household word both to lovers of drama and of fiction. To-day at 2.30 and S the Empire will sereeii one of his latest clever detective exploits, introducing also his two clever assistants— Tinker and Pedro. A gang of international thieves place in the ollicc of a diamond merchant. A girl typist, who gives the information that a diamond necklace worth £IO,OOO is concealed ou the premises, and the jewel is stolen by the thieves. Sexton Blake is employed to trace the thieves, and the series of sensations which accrue make the story a masterpiece of subtlety, cleverness, and capable action, besides introducing a charming lovo romance. '•The Plumber,'' one of Keystone's laughter comedies, gives great glee at the jokes perpetrated. Gaumoiit Graphic, with the latest war news. "Jack Spratt as a Wounded Prussian" is a comedy-drama on an up-to-date topic. The latest war scries will also bo screened.

HOYAfi PICTURES. ''One Flight up," described as a sensational feature dnuna. by the Reliance Company, will be at the head of to-day's new programme at the Theatre Royal pictures. The central figure is Alice Reed, a newspaper reporter. She proceeds to have an injured linger attended by a doctor, mul is accidentally ait unseen witness of the abduction of the doctor by ii suspicious-looking man. Alice follows the doctor to a tenement building in thu slums, where she experiences a -startling adventure, which all'ordsgood "copy" i<n- the newspaper. The supplu meutary items will be: "The Australian Gazelle'' (animated new*.), "Trapped bv Heliograph" (Flying A drama), 'Colored Villainy" (Keystone comedy), "Rural Demons" (fiuve-comedy), ''The Tail of a Hat" (comedy) and '"The Choice" (a Vitagraph story of smuggling), " WOMAN."

I Monday's new programae at the Theatre Royal introduces Gaumont's remarkable photo-play ''Woman." It is truly a magnificent production, with an ingenious and distinctly original plot. Ita enthralling, fascinating realism is more powerful than any production o« the stage, because so muA of it is from real life. Seats miuy be reserved at Hoffmann's. King 'pliojie 438. '•' THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME.'' Quite tie greatest dramatic sensation in England during recent years is the stirring patriotic play, " The B£an Who Stayed at Home," which is to toe sinned here, by J. C. Williamson, ltd., at the Theatre Royal, New iPlyimoutJh, on Monday, August SO. In Australia, the pUv attraeted reeord audiences in cacti State in which it wa« B.r«3ente<L art, it is

claimed that in Sydney and Melbourne it had a stimulating effect on the recruiting movement, and it also gives a subtle hint to the " stay-at-homcrs." The story ibristles with incidents that over and over again have had their counterpart in various parts of the Empire. Messrs. Worrall and Terry's work has had its parallel in actual facts. '• Really, it is more impressive," said a Sydney critic," than a score of cable messages about similar happenings overseas." ; "The Man Who Stayed at Home'' apl. peals to young and old alike, to civilian as much as to 'soldier. The leading lady 'is Miss Violet Paget (Mrs. Hugh Buckler), who is already an established favorite with playgoers in the Commonwealth and Xew Zealand. Mr. Frank Harvey, who will take the role of Christopher Brent (the man who stayed at home), will be remcanhered for his lino work as leading man with J. C. Williamson's Julius Knight Company. The cast also includes: Miss Kinnm Temple, Misg Florence Gleeson, Mi.:s Dorothy Ctiniming, Miss Temple l'igott. Miss M. Browne, Mr. Leslie Victor, Mr. Austin, Milroy, Mr. Kenneth ISvampton, Mr. Ar. thur Cornell and Mr. Charles Morse. The staging and dressing will be a feature of the production. The box plan will be opened at Collier's on Friday, August 27.