AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1915, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

■ .MOTHER GOOSE" PANTOMIME. The Melbourne Argus, of March 15, 1015, says of Stanley McKay and Co.'s pantomime "Mother Goose": —'"Marked success attended the pantomime production at the Bijou Theatre on Saturday last by .Stanley McKay and C 0.," while the Melbourne Age of the same date records: "The production was a distinct success. The principals did exceedingly well—sufficiently well, in fact, to challenge comparison with those who have filled similar roles in other productions of the kind." "Mother Goose" is to be staged in Xew Plymouth at the Theatre Royal on Friday next with the complete company that did such wonderful business in Auckland a couple of weeks ago. Amongst the speciality artists engaged for the New Zealand tour of this company are the Fredo Brothers, musical comedy acrobats. The Hobart Post says of these a-rtists: '"'The Fredo Brothers were seen in a remarkable turn. Billed as musical acrobatic artists they went through a series of most difficult evolutions, the whole time playing violins and keeping perfect time and tune. The instruments were played by them while almost m any position, even while somersaulting through the air. It is a wonderful act, and one which it is seldom the good fortune of people in these parts to witness." The Fredo Brothers are only one of many excellent features in "Mother Goose." The box plan will open at Collier's next Wednesday at 9 o'clock. A matinee performance of "Mother Goose" will be given on Saturday afternoon, and on Saturday night the company will stage the popular and spectacular pantomime, "Cinderella." "POTASH and PERLMUTTER." At Collier's the box plans will be opened to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock for the first and only representation of the record breaking laughing success "Potash and Perlmutter" which is to be staged by J. C. Williamson's specially organised' company of 40 English and I American artists at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night next. Judging by the numerous applications for seats from country districts there, is likely to be a record booking, so to obviate the possibilities of any unseemly crushing the J. C. Williamson management will have a staff of ushers in attendance to ensure that the earliest arrivals shall have first choice of seats. Probably never in the history of the stage has a more universally popular play been produced than "Potash and Perlmutter," and furthermore, it is stated, never has a piece been so supurbly acted in New Zealand than the Jewish comedy. "Playwrights have given us endless portraits and caricatures of Jews, mostly unpleasing and sometimes tragic. It is only of recent years that any attempt has been made to bring home to the public at large the possibilities of comedy, conscious or unconBcious, which are to be found in the life of the modern Jew," says The Spectator. The author, Mr. Glass, shows us the Jew as a hustler, yet at every turn governed by the abiding characteristics of the race. "Potash and Perlmutter," it is stated, is one of these genuinely funny productions which make one laugh and laugh heartily, no matter in what mood the onlooker may be. There are, it is said, so many irresistible invitations to laughter that there is scarcely time to follow the very excellent story. EMPIRE PICTURES. A bright, interesting programme was presented at the Empire on Saturday. Two feature films were shown, one a Keystone comedy, 2000 ft long, entitled "Goissle Rivals Jonah," in which Gussle (Syd. Chaplin) and his exciting wife take a water trip, during which some remarkable acrobatic feats are performed. The other feature is a two-part dTama by the Broncho Company, entitled "Winning Back," in which a neglected wife comes into her own by playing the same game as her husband. A number of other films of an interesting nature were also included. MARY PICKFORD COMIXG. Mary Pickford, the most fascinating actress in photo-plays, will appear at the Empire Theatre to-morrow in a magnificent historic-romantic drama, produced by the Famous Players, entitled "Such a Little Queen," a beautiful picturisation of the life of royalty in the era of acute jealousy and fear between the various small kingdoms of the Balkan States. "Such a Little Queen" is stated to be refreshingly free from thcatricalism. Its characters are not puppets, differing from each other only in the surface peculiarities they exhibit, but vital, vigorous beings, drawn from life, which reflect the influence of envronment upon human nature. Mary Pickford has the role of Queen Anna Victoria of Herzgovina, a character that calls for a range of emotions. "Such a Little Queen" is described as an absorbing love romance, compelling in its realis.ni; it has imagination, humor, power and pity—a big play in every sense of the term. As the Little Queen, Mary Pickford is seen in widely diverse circumstances —in prosperity and diversity. '"Such a Little Queen" is said to be so true to N'aturc that, its vivid truth will stir the hears of all womankind, ft is also said that '"Such a Little Queen" is Mary Piekford's crowning triumph. A splendid selection of screen plays will support the star subject. Seats may be reserved. Call at theatre or ring 'phone 3G5.