AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

I • "BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.'* If we are to take for granted all wetear, the fortunate ones who have had the opportunity of seeing Miss Muriel Starr, Mr. Charles A. Millward, and J. C. Williamson's powerful dramatic company in the brilliant comedy-drama, "(Bought and Paid For," local theatregoers are in for a real treat to-morrow evening. Critics in the Dominion ara unanimous in proclaiming "Bought and Paid For" Miss Starr's greatest performance. Commenting on its latest presentation in Wellington, the Post wrote; "As Virginia, the disillusioned, Idealistic, high-principled young wife, Miss Starr was admirable. Her speech was a pleasure to listen to—deliberate, clear, certain, musical. In the great scene in the second act, in which Stafford reels about his wife's boudoir, pulls her about and drags her around the room in his endeavor to make her kiss him, she rises to the full height of her art. Of its kind one should not wish to see better; it was terribly realistic and thrilling." It seems hardly feasible that in any other piece Muriel Starr could surpass the performance put up by her as Mary Turner in "Within the Law." It is now some considerable time since she played that piece here, and it is a pe> formance that shall always live in the memory of New Plymouth play-goers. Mr. Charles A. Millward, as Robert Stafford, proves himself an actor of great natural force, with a handsome presence and intellectual qualities. Everyone who wishes to see a fine drama well acted and excellently staged, should not miss seeing "Bought and Paid For." The box plan is on view at Collier'a There has been a splendid booking, and there is every indication that the theatre to-morrow evening will be crowded. The company will appear in the Opera House at Hawera this evening in the I same play.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. In "No Greater Love" the management of the Empire have secured a star subject that is worthy of the patronage of all lovers of the beautiful and artistic in moving pictures. Presented by the -world-famous Eclipse Company, from the novel by William Le Queux, this marvellous creation features Mdlle. Regina ißadet, who adds fresh laurels to her list. As Sadunah, the dancer, who marries a so-called king of finance, only to find out that after all lie is but a common thief, she holds the audience spell-bound until the tragical close of tile film. In the story, which has for its theme the intense love, of a mother for her daughter, there lies hidden a depth of meaning and an intensity of dramatic force that mere words fail to convey. One must see the acting—though it is scarcely acting, for it is so natural—to appreciate all that Mdllc. Badet so successfully conveys in this drama of real life. "No Greater Love," in all its gorgeousness and intensity of passion, will undoubtedly attract a crowded house to-night, when it will be screened for the laet time. Two other good items are given on this programme, the most recent rathe Gazette (war edition) and a delightful Vitagraph comedy, entitled "The Sort of Girl who came from Heaven." in which Anita Stewart and Earle Williams provide the fun. The music, by a capital orchestra, is now quite a feature of the entertainment.

"NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER" COMINGAnnette Kellerman, in "Neptune's Daughter,'' the remarkable picture-play which ran for five weeks at the largest auditorium in Melbourne and for over three months in Sydney and its suburbs, will shortly be seen in New Plymouth at the Theatre Royal. Since coming to New Zealand. "Neptune's Daughter" has duplicated the success which it has achieved in other parts of the world. In Wellington it ran for three weeks at the one theatre, at advanced prices—a record hitherto unprecedented in picture annals. According to report, the audiences are equally ravished by the beauty and ingenuity of the film and the extraordinary water feats displayed by Annette Kellerman, the world-famed Australian girl, who enacts the leading role. The transformations which take place during this exciting romance are said to be of a nature to make one doubt one's eyes. Full details of the 'first presentation will be announced later.