AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"UNDER FIRE." ' " On Holiday niglit next at tlie Theatre Royal J. C. Williamson, Ltd., wil'l present foj- tlie first'time in New (Plymouth tlie remarkable war play by Roi Cooper Megrue, "Under Fire," "with Julius Knight mid Miss Lizette Parkes in the principal"parts. ''Under Fire" is said to be a powerful three-act drama, dealing with the first phase of the war. The author lias concocted something that should satisfy the presumed capacity of tlie people for enjoying the presentment of events that are now taking place in Europe. As a living film of dramatic happenings, it accomplishes its purpose admirably, providing a succession of thrills, aided by novel stage effects and contrivances, baqked up by an excellent caste that deals with all the heroes in ■commanding and forcible style. The German spy is inevitable in any war •plot, and this time he is Henry Streetman (Boyd Irwin), an extra despicable creature, who has married the governess,' Ethel Willoughby (Lizette Parkes), in Sir George Wagstaff's (Herbert Leigh) family, conveniently forgetting lie lias already a wife and children in the fatherland. This would not have happened had Captain Larry Redmond, of the Irish Horse (Julius Knight) had the courage to propose to the young lady. The trio a v e next met with in a small inn at Brussels, at the timi of the occupancy of the Germans. Streetman, who holds a high rank in their army, orders the innkeeper to be shot for something lie 19 supposed to have done, and he, in turn, is sent to his account bv the innkeeper's daughter, with a very conclusive stab in the back. The British trenches at night, with an extraordinary star-spangled sky. are the scene of the story's denouncement. Captain Redmond, who, as a British secret service agent, has been at work as an officer in the Iluns' ranks, reaches the trenches, and, although wounded by a shell explosion, is able, through a telephone to headquarters, to expose the enemy's plans for the advance on Paris, with the result known. Tile last scene gives the interior of a shelled church in France, .with the crucified Saviour looking down' on the ruins,. The box plan will open at Colliers to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.

WITHIN THE LAW " COMPANY.

On Tuesday and Wednesday'' nights next the "Within the Law" Coihpany, ■headed by Miss Hilda Dnnvigtou and Mr. Lionel Walsh, will make a welcome reappearance in the Theatre Boyal, New IPlymoulth, presenting, bv special arrangement- with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., the thrilling spy play, "The Man Who Stayed at Homo," and the sparkling comedy, "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford." The central figures in "The Man Who Stayed at Home" are four spies in a fashionable boardinghbuse on the East ■Coast, equipped with a wireless installation in the fireplace, and whose movemerits are nullified by two Britisli secret service agents. Christopher Brent, the man who stays at home ip Wave Crest, the private hotel on the East Coaßt, is to all appearances an indolent, easy-going, athletic young fellow, who all his friends think ought to be at the front, one young lady going as far as to present liim with a white feather, which he promptly uses as a pipecleaner. But this is only his "face of folly" by which lie baffles the quartette •ot spies. The real Brent is a British secret service agent, a man of the world, shrewd and resourceful. At one time •we see him following a clue in the construction of the fireplace, until he discovers the button, and the Marconi wireless swings into view. Tn a moment ho has sent n number of misleading messages from the enemy's code book, and to prevent corrections secures the deflector pin, (vhich is the first score against the foe; the second being the shooting of the carrier pigeon which is tr> take the plan of the British mincfie dto Potsdam. Mr, Lionel Walsh will appear as Christopher Brent, "the man who stayed at home," and' Miss Hilda Dorrington will be seen in the role of Miriam Lee, who renders Brent valuable assistance in tracking the spies. The box plans for. the two nights will be opened at.Collier's at 10 o'clock this morning, where seats may be reserved witliojit extra charge.

BIG FILMS TO-NIGHT AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

No Joss than three big feature films are announced to be shown at the Theatre Royal to-night with the change of programme. Principal interest w?ll doubtless be centred in the second instalment of the new serial drama, "The Trey 0' Hearts."- Picture goers should remember that this film is an extra to the ordinary full programme. Judging bv the interest displayed on the production of the first instalment, "The frev 0' Hearts" is in for a big run in New Plymouth and if the opening chapter is any criterion, the picture 'should prove one of immense charm and heart interest. In "The Avenging Hand" lovers of the mysterious will find much to interest them. This story, which is in threereels, possesses the charm that is always associated with Egypt. Tt is off tiiw beaten track, being unique in conception and characterisation. Now-a-days a programme without a Vitagraph production would seem incomplete.' In this case the famous American firm present "One Performance Only," a three-reel Broadway Star Feature of thrilling dramatic incidents in connection with a popular actor, a footlight quoen, and a band of bud men. The uMial weekly "War Budget" is replete with pictorial news of the latest happenings at home \ nnd abroad, including authentic incidents in the present world war, whilst the comedy element is strongly provided, among the best of thepe being "He Wanted His Pants." This capital programme will be shown for three nights and a matinee on Saturday.

• EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The Empire Picture Palace was well filled last night by an appreciative audience, the occasion being the usual midweek change of films.' The new programme is a good one and contains several films, which on an ordinary programme would be classed as star features. The Kalem drama "By Whose Hand" is a capital production. It unfolds, in many novel scenes, the story of a strange crime. Officer Cromwell, hearing a shot, rushes into the house and discovers Melville lying wounded on the floor. Investigating. Cornwall discovers a girl hiding .behind a screen. SlieWiegs for mercy, an<l then tells her story. Her name is Violet, and she first met Melville two months ago. Fascinated by his attentions, the girl met him secretly, and when he urged her to elope, she consented. Then came disillusionment. He abandoned her the day after the clopeIment. Violet, discovering his residence, I entered the house. Angered by Melville's proffer of money, she seized the revolver lying on liis table. Violet's story makes uaaraiaiMi UDon the offi««r.

He is about to let her go when ail old mail breaks out of tlie closet and denounces both Violet and Melville. The newcomer is Stiller, and he informs Cornwall that tlie two are crooks. Then follows a scries of surprising statements which keep tlie suspense alive right up to the last instant of the picture. The story, staged ill the Kalem C'o.'s boat style, holds a rare fascination through' out and is well worth seeing. "A Child of the Surf" is another fine dramatic study. This is in two reels by the Majestic Company, and features a wonderfully clever juvenile actor. The "Topical Budget" is full of interesting war scenes; whilst old world scenery of Yorkshire is pictured in "Knaresborougb and Fountain Abbey." There is also a trio of screaming comedies 011 the list, al l of which will be repeated again tonight and to-morrow night.