AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1916, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

I MURIEL STARR'S FAREWELL IN "BOUGHT AND PAID FOR." The -J.C. Williamson management has had many substantial demonstrations of the New Plymouth theatre-going public's demand for the drama, and acting on their experience they are playing a one night season iii the Theatre Royal 011 Thursday night next, with the enormously successful comedy-drama "Bought and Paid For." Tliis- play whielf hit the taste of London and New York playgoers with much impetus last year -Aid was recently the dramatic success of the year in Australia, is described as a tremendously fascinating play that grips and holds its audience from the first word to the final denouement, and adds further fame to the author's creative genius as a playwright. The adequate interpretation of the characters in if his play makes heavy demands upon the artistic abilities of the performers, and in this respect the Williamson firm Ijas certainly achieved a triumph. Miss Muriel Starr, one of the best emotional actresses •who has ever visited New Zealand, will make her final appearance in "Bought and Paid For" as Virginia Blaine, and Mr. Charles Millward, the brilliant young English actor' will appear as Robert Stafford the millionaire husband, prior to their departure for America, and Mr. Hobart Cavanaugh, who has been specially retained to repeat his wonderful impersonation of James Gilley. There are many other notable actors and actresses cast in congenial roles, and it is said that the production generally will lose nothing 1 by comparison with' the best yet offered by the J. C. Williamson management. The whole production will be under the personal supervision of Mr. Thos. Foster, and the fjjll dramatic orchestra will be under the baton of Mr. E. B. Gilchrist. The box plan will be opened at Collier's next Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.

AT THE EMPIRE. To-night the Empire Theatre management promises one of the strongest attractions that lias yet teen offered at this popular house of entertainment. The idea follows on the lines set down as the latest pleasure device in America: an "all-star" programme. The notion is to choose the strongest features of the : biggest producing companies and present them on the same night, on the same programme, so that each one. challenges comparison with the other, the programme being varied, of course, to suit all tastes. Seven of the most thrilling and daring, combined with the most amusing, photo-plays have been chosen, each one having a different appeal. For the lover of the sensational in drama a special play has been chosen, and so on all through the evening. When every attraction is a featured one, it is difficult to pick out what might be considered the best, but in America, where the programme has been recently shown, the critics of the dailies were, almost unanimous in praise of the Flying A production, "The Greater Streagth," an intensely 'dramatic story of love and resolution, contrasting the powers of mind and muscle. The next feature that received Jhe praise of the critics wa9 entirely different in theme and structure, a thrilling .story of circus life, entitled "Vittorine." In this production the popular actress, Miss Dorothy Gish, is seen as the heroine. Other notable items include "Britain's New Army," the latest edition of "Pathe's Australian Gazette/' and three sparkling comedies.

•'THE MASTER KEY" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

The third episode in the thrilling serial picture, "The Master Key," will be- included in the new programme of films to be shoWn to-night at the Theatre Royal. This number picks up the threads of the story where Ruth and Dore are called to the bedside of the dying Tom Gallon. Gallon's last will is here read, and as it contains statements which are all-important to the continuity of the plot, patrons should not miss seeing this instalment. Another big dramatic feature of the programme will be an Edison three-part special, entitled "What Happened on the Berbuda," a story of romance and thrill upon the high seas, in which the popular beauty actress, Miss Gladys Huelette, as the heroine, scores a notable success. The plot has to do with a Dr. Winslow, who is making a trip to South America to attend a patient. Hia daughter Ruth accompanies him on the ship Bermuda. While on the high seas the crew mutiny and lock up the passengers and officers. The vessel runs nshore on an island, and the gang go ashore and force Ruth to accompany them. AVhen ordered to make some coffee for the mutineers she does so, and places in it some morphia tabloids_ Then she escapes to the ship and manages to free one of the officers, who sends a wireless call to a U.S. warship, ivhkh arrives in time to capture the gang. There is a charming romance and any amount of thrill and realism in the portrayal, which is well enacted by Edison's talented players. In support are other films, including "To Melody a Soul Responds," a Flying A drama; "Scenes in Holland"; and 'Faithful to the Finish" (Lul)in comedy).