AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL . "THE CHRISTIAN," TONIGHT. llall Caine's immortal story, "The Christian," to be produced in the Theatre Royal this evening, is a whole, evening's feature play. It is the work of the London Film Company, and was supervised by the author. Following is an extract from the Auckland 'Star in reference to "The Christian":—"'The Christian,' since its publication by Mr. T. Hall-Caine in l'JOl, has been read by thousands 0/ people. It is little wonder that on Saturday evening, when it was presented at the Lyric Theatre, the audience applauded the various scenes with unlimited enthusiasm. Mr. Derwent Hall-Caine, the novelist's son, acts as John Storm, aud presents a character which is commanding, and interpreted with thoroughness and consideration of effect. It is the only character in the book which is strikingly original, and it falls to Derwent Hall-Caine to make or mar the production. He realises every opportunity, and prove? that not in speech alone is his acting an art. His expressions and gestures are spontaneous, and without the hypocritical calmness which is the tendency in such a part. Prophecy, which is a truly wonderful conception, is made the more convincing by the mob scenes which follow the alleged disclosure of Storm's true character. The streets are a mass of shouting, mad, dishevelled fanatics, who, in their efforts to rig'ht the wrong which they think has been done them, walkover women and children, and tread to earth ail who would stop their advance. Calm and majestically Storm meets them, an'd the closing scene, \vliic J h is a trial of an actor's skill, gives liira an opportunity to exercise his wonderful command of expression. Mr. Hall-Caine created character in 'The Christian.' The motion picture version presents the character in more vivid phases, and makes the story one of the few that can leave one thinking." Special music will be rendered by the Symphony Orchestra.

empire picture palaces. In the new series of films introduced at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday, the star item was a fery fascinating drama, entitled "Gladioia," by the Edison Company. The title role is played in an artistic manner by Hiss Viola Dana, a charming actress, whose work is already favorably known here. The story of the picture is an appealing one, showing; how a country child is lured away to the city to marry a moneyed idler, who it later turns out has already has a wife living. The two women meet, and the husband is exposed in his true character before the eyes of the innocent country girl, who flees back to her people. On the death of her bigamous husband she finds a protector for herself in Abner, a faithful farm hand. Some beautiful rural scenes are worked into the picture, portion of the stovv having been player upon the estate of Mr. Richard Cowie, whose magnificent fields of gladioli are well worth seeing. Generally the drama is one that will appeal to the gentler sew The supporting programme is one of great variety. A very instructive film is that dealing >with the manufacture of shells for big guns in England and France. There is the usual budget of topical information in the Pathe War Gazette, a chapter of laughter in the Patlie-color comedy, "WHTles in War Time," and many thrilling and sensational scenes in a Bosworth drama, entitled "The Beachcombers," in which is featured Duke Kahanamoki, the famous swimmer, who recently toured the Dominion. The same programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night.