AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THE MORALS OF MARCUS. EMPIRE TO-NIGHT. \Villi:un .]. Locke's romantic novel "The Morals of Marcus" Is skilfully :i<l:ij>(<'«l to photo-play enactment in the artistic ]iro<luction by the Famous Players' Company, which will be screened with die clian.se of programme at tlin Empire T'icturc palace to-night. Miss Marie Tioro. an undoubtedly gifted and graceful young player, is charming in tlie role of Carlotta. The subject is magnificently staged, and some picturesque exterior views of a mansion and surrounding grounds are uncommonly fine, Carlotta's fallicr, a missionary in Turkey, is billed by brigands, and her mother, to save licr daughter's life, enters the harem of a wealthy Turk named Ilamdi, who is the chief of police. Years elapse, and Carlotta. now eighteen years of age, is about to'be compelled to marry a re-pulsive-looking octogenarian when she is rescued by Pelligrew, a young Englishman. In the meanwhile, in England, Marcus Ordevne, a schoolmaster, inherits bis uncle's property and becomes Sir Marcus . Carlotta is hastened on board a steamer bound for England by her rescuer, .Pelligrew. who. on arrival at Solid amp!mi, is arrested on a charge of embezzlement. Poor Carlotta finds herself homeless and friendless in a strange land. At time Marcus's unit and her daughter Dora have foisted IhemseUes upon his hospitality, !ho aunt hying determined to capture Marcus as a husband for Dora. Marcus, however, is not attracted bv Dora, and makes this plainly evident,' Carlotta, almost starving, is observed by Marcus, whf) gives her refreshment, and offers her a shelter. He becomes fascinated by his new guest, who looks quite bewitching when suitable garments are procured for her. Carlotta's unsophisticated ways and childish trust in him appeal to Marcus, and despite the disgust of his faint and her daughter lie decides to keep Carlotta under his protection. An attempt by some Turks to kidnap Carlotta is frustrated, and another plan to separate Marcus and Carlotta also fails. In the end Marcus weds Carlotta, much to the chagrin of his scheming aund. The first portion of the programme comprises "A Visit to the Paris 7,oo" (Gaumont's interesting animal study), "Charlie in Cuckoo Land" (Movca sketch comedy), and "l'athe Gazette" (topical). The selections by the orchestra will be well chosen and artistically given. "MOTHER GOOSE" PANTOMIME. THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. "Mother Goose." to he staged at tlie Theatre Royal this evening at 7.4n, is said to bo the .1. C. Williamson latest word in pantomime extravaganza. This is not the "Mother Goose" of the 180" success, but a new "Mother Goose" to • whom local audiences will be introduced this evening. Mr. J. Hickory Wooers book is new, the music and the ballets are new and nine leading artists are new nerc. Miss Lilian dp Venny is the new principal boy, Miss Maud Fane the new principal girl. Mr. Arthur Stigant will appear as Mother Goose, and Mr, Albert Fclino, who has played the Golden Goose upwards of a thousand times, will play it again. A new eccentric comedian is promised .n Mr. Victor Kelly. Mr. Arthur Reynolds may be expected to give us a new kind of "Baron" and Mr. Billy le Brun a novel description of Horse, The production of the pantomime engages 150 persons, of whom 100 appear on the stage. The number of costumes designed by Camelli's London and made in Australia is "00. The electric lamps used from rise to fall of curtain are counted as 10.000. the canvas of the scenes measures 12 miles in length. The brilliant effects the new mechanism, the strange devices anrV attractions have been secured by Mr. Hugh .1. Ward and Mr. Clyde Meynel! in England and America. The display of wealth in The Hall of Gold, with every sovereign lit by an electric lamp, with gold, silver, copper and Australian note ballets is beyond the wildest loan operations of a State treasurer in times There is a wonderful .'.wing scene, with girls swinging out from the stage to the auditorium, an Australian bush scene with a ballet nf national flowers, from rose to waratah; a boy scout demonstration, a hunting scene with novel color effects and a dozen other spectacular features. There are new songs to catch the fancy, the Rose and Falls extraordinary acrobatic display, the boy soldiers, and toy maids ballet, Ike stormed tossed ship and the triumphant march of the Allies are notable features of this pantomime de luxe. A strong cast is made stronger by the appearance of Such acknowledged favorites as Misses Dorothy Firmin, Maggie Dickinson, Queenie Paul and Messrs. Rupert Darrell, Charles Howard, George Smith. The orchestra will be under the direction of Mr. Robert Koors, the. management of the stage being in the hands of Mr. J. C. Whitfield.