ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"Tttia MAN WllO STAYED AT HOME." , To-night at 8 o'clock the curtain will rise at the Theatre Royal on the first and only .production here of the thrilling, amusing and fascinating spy drama, "The Man Who Stayed at Home," which created a veritable wave of electrical patriotic enthusiasm wherever it has been staged. Seats in central positions far this evening's performance may be selected at Collier's. Most people know already that the tale is one of German espionage in England, detected and baf< fled by a British secret service officer. Christopher Brent disguises Ms dash, nerve and courage under the manners of a languid idler, who, in the first aot, accepts without wincing the white feather handed to him by a furiously scornful girl. The construction of ""The Man Who Stayed at Home" is said to be ingenious, its dialogue crisp and full of clever points, and its action s-wift, intelligent and exciting. Mr. Frank Harvey, the brilliant young London actor, created quite a furore of enthusiasm in Australia by his magnificent representation of the part of Christopher Brent, the man who stayed at home. It is said he can be earnest, he can be thrilling, he can be humorous, he can be foppisll, or ho can be the energetic secret service agent without for a moment overstepping the bounds of realism. Nobody who ha 3 enjoyed any of Miss Violet Paget's work can say that at the present time there is in Australia an actress as beautiful, as fascinating, or as talented as this extremely popular actress. Mr. Arthur Cornell, too, is a favorite with play-goers. He is said to be very humorous as John Preston, J.P. Mr. Leslie Victor as Fritz, Miss Emma Temple as Mrs.-Sanderson, >Mr. Austin Milroy as Ca/rl Sanderson, and Miss Florence Gleeson as Fraulein Schroeder are the tour German spies, and the ca9t also includes Mis* Dorothy Cummings as Molly Preston, Miss Temple Pigott as Miss Myrtle, Miss M. Browne as Daphne Kidlington, Mr. Kenneth Brampton as Pcrcival Pennicuik and Mr. Charles Morse as Corporal Atkins. Quite a feature of the production is the specially-composed martial music which will be performed by a full operatic orchestra.

EMPIRE PICTURES. Two pictures of outstanding merit are contained in the special change of programme to be presented ot the Empire Picture (Palace to-night, namely, a Keystone eomedv, featuring Fatty Arbuckie and Mabel Normand, and the Keiianee newspaper drama, entitled "Wie Bea.t of the Year." The latter is an intensely interesting story, and shows how the "cub" reporter on a large newspaper unearths a murder mystery. The methods by which lie traces down the "story" and beats the Star man on the paper are of interest, but the events leading up to the murder are the chief part of the film. It deals with a beautiful young factory girl who is in lore with a man of her own station, but is later infatuated by a millionaire's son who is leading a double life. He intends to dupe the girl, but the former lover learns of his intention and confronts him in his rooms, where a fight takes place. Here the rich man is killed, and the other would have got away had it not been for the efforts of the newspaper man. However, as the story unfolds, the sympathy is with tile man who tried to save the girl, and it is made clear that he will be able to get off. The Keystone iilm shows Fatty and Mabel leading the simple life, and it is full of ridiculous situations, not the least of which is one scene showing an erratic motor-car in which Fatty attempts to elope with Mabel. Supporting films include: "Greater Love hath no Man," a powerful AngloJapanese drama, and "Pretoria," Cines scenic. Tins programme will be shown ito-night only.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. To-morrpw evening.the Royal Pictures management present the Aqui.la Comstartling photo-play, "The Millionaire Brigand," a grand story of life and love, of heart histories and soul tragedies. , Of its class, it is better than anything yet seen here. Seats may be reserved at Hoffmann's. "HIN'EMOA." This beautiful Maori opera was repeated to a full bouse at the matine<* ou Saturday afternoon, and in the evening, when the New Plymouth season concluded, there was barely standing room. At each performance the opera went with a swing and vim that was delightfully refreshing, and the unique and charming entertainment was a huge success. The company appear at Waitara to-night, and should be largely patronised.