AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1915, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

" POTASH AND PERLMUTTER," TliU morning, at Collier's, the box plan will be opened at 8 o'clock for the first and only representation of the phenomenally successful and funniest of all comedies, ''Potash and Perlmutter,'' io be staged 'here by J. C. Williamson'* speciality organised company at tlie Theatre 'Royal on Thursday night next. These are critical days everywhere to men who have to pater for tfic world's amusement. The world's tragedies arc so overwhelming that a great gloom is cast over the brighter aide of life, and many things that merely pretend are out of place. Theatrical managers must be greatly troubled us to what kind of amusement they should offer their patrons, and the popular verdict would probably be for the lighter skip. The distraction that the theatre offers conies as a blessed relief in the midst of trouble, and on this ground probably the J. (.'. Williamson, Ltd., management have adopted the wiser course in presenting chiefly lighter entertainment. On this basis "Potash and Perlmutter" ;nay he ranked, not only as a business comedy success, but a real need of the limes, and tiie wonderful patronage given to 5t shows that the bulk of the people are glad of the opportunity to enjoy a good laugh. There are numerous amusing little incidents in "Potash and Perlmutter" in which minor characters figure where the role is small, but that it shall be correctly portrayed is vastly important, and the interpreters of these have been just as carefully selected as the principals, so that a splendid and even performance is the result. Mr. Paul Bums as Abe Potash ami Sam le Bert as Mawruss Perlmutter both give perfect characterisations of type, ti'uo eyen to walk r.nd minor movements, Kor the major portion of the evening they have the audience in roars of laughter, but there are moments when they have the onlooker on the verge of tears.

,: MOTHER GOOSE" PA"TOMIM~. Tn tlie 'Mother Goose-" pantomime, to be staged at the Theatre Royal on Friday next, one of the principal performers k M.\ vVJiI Rayner, tin* fortunate posessor of a wonderful tenor voice. The following criticism of this artist appeared in a leading Perth paper during the company's recent season there: "Will ■Rayner's ringing of 'The Veteran's Song* iii 'Mother fioosc' will be long remembered as one of the most forceful pieces of voe.ilihin ever heard in Perth. Mr. Rayner astounds hi;; audience by appearing for half-an-hour In the guise of a bald-headed comedian, asid at tile end of ■that time delivers Stephen Adams' stirring song in a truly masterly manner. "During the rendition he occasionally I reaches top B, a tenor note possible to | such singers a.a-'Mr. Peter Roxby, but few others. With it all Mr. Rayner lias a tremendous balance surprising in a pantomime artist." Mr. Rayner is only one of the many fine artists to be seen in "Mother Goose." HL'lhe box plan opens at Colliers to-morrow morning at !) o'clock. The children will be specially catered for at a matinee on Saturday I afternoon, when the full company will appear in "Mother fioose." Children will be admitted for Od downstairs and Is to the dress circle. On Saturday night the company will stage the brilliant pantomime "Cinderella.''

MARY PIOK'FORD AT THE EMPIRE TO-Mfi-HT. Few romances of recent years have been so universally praised by critics as the production of "Siil-Ii a Little Queen," in which that delightful little favorite of photo-play goers, Mary Pickford, appears at the Empire Theatre to-night. The Famous Players Co., noted for its magnificent productions, lias surrounded "Little Mary" with the strongest cast it could obtain, and filmed the romance amidst scenes of great beauty. "Such a Li ttic Queen" is an idyllic love romance with the most delightful setting that was ever a background for a talc of love and.strife. Mary Pickford is i; marvellous creator of characters, but it is not ofte-i so strong and womanly a ipicen as Anna Victoria of Herzegovina lias been given the breath of life, and so delightfully portrayed as by Miss Pickford. The high note is sustained throughout and the ending is dramatic. Meats should be reserved. Call at theatre, or ring 'phone .'Mo.