AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1915, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

" POTASH AND PERUJUTTEE.'-' He would indeed be a thin-skinned Hebrew who could find cause for offence in "Potash and Perlmutter," recently wrote the critic, of the New York World of the Jewish comedy to be staged here by J. C, Williamson's brilliant company of 40 artists on Thursday night next at the Theatre Royal. "The play," said the critic, "is no skit on the Jews." Rather is it an exposition of the fact that besides possessing the oldest faith in the world, the Jew is gifted with the possession of both humor and sentiment. There is cause for both tears and laughter in the humor and pathos of the illustrious partnership of Abe Potash and Mawrnss Pcrlmutter. It was only the otl'er of exceedingly high salaries which induced .Messrs Paul Burns, Sam le Bert, Samuel Howard, Mies Margaret Vinton and Miss Lizzie Wilson, who were the principals in the original New York production, to come to Australasia, but once again the enterprise of the J. C. Williamson. Ltd., management has been rewarded by the fact that each of the five have achieved remarkable successes in their respective roles. Mr. Paul Burns' characterisation of Abe Potash is, it is said, a study of a delightful kind. He is a Yiddish shopkeeper through and through, but at the same time a most likeable human being. The character he has to play Ls constructed on rather broader lines than that of Mawruss Perlmutter. undertaken by Mr. Le Bert. Perlmutter is the ■hard-headed business man whose kindliness of heart is less on the surface. Miss Margaret Vinton created quite a furore in Sydney in the role of Ruth Goldman; and Miss Lizzie Wilson, as Mrs. Potash, and Mr. Howard, as Marks Patsinsky, the other two newcomers, were also highly praised by Australian critics for their brilliant acting. Miss Vinton and the other ladies, it is said, wear some gorgeous frocks in the piece. The full operatic orchestra is a feature of the entertainment. The box plana will be opened at 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning at Collier's. A queue will be formed from 7 a.m.

THE EMPIRE. To-day's new programme promises to be a very interesting one. As a star comedy the Keystone 2000 ft production, "Gussle Rivals Jonah," is one of the funniest films in which S.vd. Chaplin has ever appeared. The star drama, howover, is "Winning Back." A young husband's infatuation for an actress leads to startling complications. The wife, as a set-off. goes to sing and dance at a Bohemian Club, where the husband is about to entertain the actress, and he is so incensed at his wile's appearance in such a place that he hurries her home, and a reconciliation follows, after the man realised that his own conduct had really been responsible for what had happened. "Mixed Flats" introduces many ludicrous incidents. The Pathe Gazette and "The Royal Engineers at Work'' complete a good programme.

THE ROYAL The .-iar feature drama at the Kuyal to-day' is entitled "The Frame-Up." and is a powerfully enacted story of a feud between members of a gang of crooks, brought about by two of them falling in love with the same woman. She is ordered to choose between them, and the rejected member in a rage puts the police on the track of the successful suitor. The film is replete with sensational incidents, and is very well presented by some of Kalern's best artists. Ford Sterling, the original comedian who made the Keystono people famous, is now, under the direction of Mack Sennet, introducing a lot of novel and very laughable comedy work into a farce entitled "He Wouldn't Stay Down." There is an excellent "Australian Gazette," which contains many interesting scenes and important Australian doings. Another special is Vitagraph's drama, "Out of the Past." Dreaded associations of the past return to despoil the happiness of the present. The protecting hand of intervention wipes them out for ever. Other films are: "Winter Sports in the Italian Alps" (interest), "The Wily Widow" and "Rough but Romantic" (two comedies).

" MOTHER GOOSE" PANTOMIME. "Mother Goose." probably the funniest pantomime ever staged in Australasia, is to be presented by Mr. George Stephenson at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, on Friday next, the 19th inst. The company, Stanley McKay and Co.'s, wits formed in Australia some eighteen months ago. and has since been appearing with great success in Sydney. Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Quite recently it completed a wonderfully succe.sful season of three weeks in the Auckland Opera House, where the Press .was loud in its praise of both performers and productions. "Mother Goose" will be well remembered by theatre-go-ers of a few years back as the pantomime that holds the record for lengthy runs and popularity in all the large cities of Australasia. The present version has been brought right up to date, new songs, new dances and new specialities having been introduced. For the New Zealand tour entirely new scene/y has been painted by leading Sydney artists, and tlie many beautiful costumes are by Zinda, the well-known Sydney costumier. The leading artists have been specially selected and are supported by a full bullet, chorus and orchestra. Introduced into the pantomime are a number of excellent speciality turns, including dancers, musicians, trick cyclists and acrobats. Nothing lias been left undone in endeavoring to make the show just the thing the amusement-lover wants. On Saturday afternoon there will be a matinee of "Mother Goose," when children will be admitted downstairs for fid and Is for the dress circle. The box plan opens at Collier's on Wednesday next, where seats may be reservi oil without extra charge.