AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

"BOUGHT AND PAID TOP..'" Problems of married life, if presented with any skill, are sure of gaining attention from playgoers. "Bought and Paid For," the famous comedy-drama to be staged fry the J. 0. Williamson management at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night is concerned in matters of the kind. One of the many delicate questions is as to how Virginia Stafford should deal with the unwelcome attentions of a husband whom strong drink turns to something like a wild beast, though at other times he has many good qualities. The drunken Stafford reminds her that as a poor girl she was "bought and paid for" with the money which partly caused her to marry him; and lie smashes in the door that has been locked against him. Virginia leaves hint. She returns the presents lie lias given her, even her wedding ring, and works for her living as a shop girl. Eventually a reconciliation is brought about. Miss Muriel Starr's strength as« an emotional actress finds much scope in the part of Virginia. Mr. Charles A. Millward, as Stafford, the millionaire husband, presents a remarkably brilliant impersonation. There is in' this play a single domestic question that is more universally at the heart of trouble than any other; in ten homes out of a hundred, from cottage to villa. ,frOm the darkest slum to the most ''sumptuous mansion. The brilliant company to interpret this play are: Miss flcrtriule Boswell (who will make her t local debut in the part of Fanny Blaine) and llobart Cavanaugh, who, with Miss Boswell, are responsible for the comedy i element, Frank Harcourt, Austen Milroy, Florence TTeston, Gertrude Boswell and Leonard Stephens. .T. C. Williamson. Ltd., always ensure success by the careful selection of plays, and the engagement of the most capable artists for their interpretation. The present W no exception to this policy. Mr. Thos. Foster is in charge of affairs, and this is sufficient guarantee that everything behind the curtain will be up to the standard of excellence. The box plan will lie opened at Collier's to-morrow morning. This will positively be Miss Starr's last appearance in New Plymouth.

THEATRE ROYAL. '""TIE MAN ON T THE BOX." Tlu> bright part of a 'bright programme to be shown at the Theatre Royal to-night is a dramatised picture version of Harold McGrath's famous novel, ''The -Man on the Box.'' The film, which is from the studios of the Famous Players Film Company, commences with an exciting skirmish betwceii a large body of adventurous horsemen and a party of Indians, in the course of which Lieutenant Bob Warburton is wounded. When convalescent, this rollicking young officer noes on a visit to his relatives at Wasliiiigtoii.aiul while there conceives a practical joke at the expense of his sister and her lady companion, taking the place of the coachman who is to drive them home from a bull. He mistakes the usher's call and sets off with the wrong ladies on a mad midnight carreer through the city, which lands "The Man on the Box'' in the watch-house on a series of charges, which in .hide furious driving and abduction. This is the beginning of the romantic side of the story, for the gay lieutenant is destined to come into still closer contact with one of the victims of his practical joke. Her father gets into the clutches of foreign spies, and herein is involved a story of modern application. In a.series of intrigues, plans, and counter-plans—-all of which "The Man on the Box" foils—the story runs rapidly along on its merry course, and it keeps the onlooker in a very delightful state of perpetual suspense right until the final scenes, wherein, of course, all ends happily, and it is ibut lilting' that the audience also should he hogpy after witnessing such a splendid drama, lightened by many touches of vcllned comedy. The two leading artists in this production arc Max Figinnu and Lolita Robertson, both stars of the cinema world, and their acting, combined with the gorgeous staging ami unique photographic effects, make up a photo-play that will live long in the memory. Supporting films include Eclair War Budget (topical), "When Her Idol Fell" (Nestor coinedv). ''The Honor of Kenneth MeOrath" (Powers drama), and "Which is Witch" (a novel comedy). This programme will be shown for three nights. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The seating capacity of the Empire Theatre was taxed to its. utmost on Saturday night on the occasion of the usual week-end change of programme. The big serial drama, 'The Million Dollar Mystery," now in its fourth episode, entitled "the Top Floor Flat,'' was advanced a further stage, increasing the strong interest already displayed by the public in this form of photo-play. With Braine and Princess Olga in command, the "Black Hundred" continues its dastardly plotting. They lure Florence to an apartment house' by a letter purporting to come from her father, whom she has not seen since babyhood; but, as her "lather" embraces her. she sees in the mirror many evil peering faces, and realises that she is trapped. In this .terrible situation, surrounded by villainous foes, instead of shrieking or swooning, this courageous wisp „f ~ gjvl plans a desperate escape. It is here that the big thrill comes, and with important happenings following one on the other the onlooker is left in a delightful state of suspense awaiting the next instalment, which will be screened next Saturday. Seven other films are shown on the present programme, and ( these combined with the excellent music by a first-class orchestra, make, up an entertainment of rare merit. The series will be shown again for the last time.