AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"BOUGHT AND PAID FOR" TO-NIGHT. New Plymouth theatre-goers this evening, at the Theatre Royal, will once again be afforded the opportunity of seeing one of the greatest actresses ever introduced to New Zealand, in the person of Miss Muriel Starr. This brilliant young tragedienne's remarkable performance of Mary Turner in "Within the Law" a couple of years ago, when she made a deep impressim on play-goers by her charming personality and her lirtistie acting, has not been forgotten. In. "Bought and Paid For" there is even more scope for her to display her talent. Critics in New Zealand are unanimous in proclaiming "Bought and Paid For" Miss Starr's greatest performance. In this piece the chief figure is Robert StafforS, Hn American millionaire, who has strong characteristics, but these are greatly marred by his drinking propensities, which often result in inebriety. None of the features are known to Virginia Blaine prior to her marriage, but to her regret, when aR too late, she discovers her husband is not the ideal she expected. Sober, he is a perfectly lovable man; drunk—and lie is oftenmii that state—he is iiu-onsiderate, brutal and ■ even coarse. Mr. Millward proves himself an actor of great natural force, with a handsome presence and intellectual qualities. As the millionaire he exhibits a perfect mastery of the strength and weakness of a splendid character. Needless to say, the production will be admirably staged. J. C. Williamson's name at'the head of the 'hill is a sufficient guarantee for that, but in addition to that guarantee there is the fact Tlios. Foster, the firm's veteran producer, is superintending the performance this evening. The box plan is on view at Collier's" where good seats in central positions are still available* This will positively be Miss Starr's last apuearance in New Plymouth.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. In pursuance of the policy of the management, another specially good picture programme has been arranged for the Theatre Royal to be shown tomorrow and Saturday. There are no fewer than four big two-part on the list, each vieing with the other for top place. The sensational serial drama, "The Master Key," will be advanced another stage. This, the fourth episode, besides bringing the story to an intensely interesting stage, introduces the " 'Frisco Confidence Man," Charles Drake. Spectacular scenes include the burning of a huge bridge, and a realistic train wreck. A screaming comedy will be provided by the popular comedian, Ford Sterling, who, ae "Only a Messenger Boy," makes the fun fast and furious in SOQpft of film. A story of quite a different nature is "His Obligation." This, "by the Flying A Company, is a tender and pathetic play of a woman's trials and tribulations. Last, but by no means least, comes "A Knight of the Trails," a stirring drama with one of those strange personalities which occasionally spring up in the thrilling times of Western life as the central figure. In addition are "Bertie's Holiday" and the latest 1 "Topical War Budget." '

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Tlio top-liner for to-night's change' at the Empire Picture Palace is a Vitagraph feature entitled "The Enemies." This is described as a sterling drama of the sea, of the vivid forceful type which has made Jack London stories* so popular. Harry Morey a iid Edith Story play the leads, and are supported by a. very fine cast. The picture is a portrayal of the vengeance wrought upon an unscrupulous man who started a young girl on the downward path that ultimately led to her death from the continual use of stimulants. The. brother of the unfortunate girl, a sea captain, after a long search, tracks down the villain, whose name is Sargant, and lias hini "shangii&icd." He takes him to sea amongst a crew of ruffians ruled over by a brutal first mate. The man is fffpfd tg «S4W9. every kind of abuse

and rough handling, and finally receives a fatal hurt in a row. The captain reveals himself to the wretched man, and in a terrible denunciation reminds him of how he had wrecked his sister's life, and then follows a/ swift retribution. On the same programme is the latest "Topical War Budget," "Mary Jane Entertains'' (a two-part comedy of rare brilliance), "No One Would Believe" (a dramatic story of the dreaded white slave traffic in its worst form), and several others.