AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 2 October 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

7HOMPIOM-!?AYNE PICTURE!. An audience .strong both in numbers' ami appreciation witnessed tho change of programme presented at the Electric Theatre last evening. Tho big item was a, love idyll entitled "Love's Awakening," which provided a big success. "The Secret Marriage" was an excellent Kalem drama which had a good sprinkling of .sentiment and excitement. Another dramatic item that proved popular was a Solax production entitled "The Coining of Sunbeam." Proud old Major Noal disowns his only child, a boai. girl, because ho considers her marriage, a. misalliance. Years pass. Tlio old major becanics a recluse feared by all. Ono morning (Christmas) a hamper is found beneath the major's covered driveway. The butler and housekeeper (in the secret) carry tho hamper to the library and present it to Xeal. rife is greatly puzzled, and finding a. card attached inscribed "To Major Xeal," ho opens the hamper, only to slam it hastily shut with-.a startled angry expression. The hamper contains a baby girl. The old man orders the child taken from his presence, and advertises for the ono who presumed to leave it to take it off. No one claims tho child, whoso swoetness and innocent joys .soon begin to nrtivo the old fellow's heart. The baby constantly makes' advances, in spite of rebuffs, until tho old man succumbs and worships tho child, calling her "Little Sunbeam." Sunbeam is stricken with fever. Now is tho mother's chance. She comes (the old family doctor aiding and abetting her), disguised as a nurse, and with a mother's untiring love and care, nurses Sunbeam back- from tho shadowy brink. ' Old Major Xeal and Ins disowned daughter meet at the bedside of the child, and through their great and,mutual love-for Sunbeam, ! become forever reconciled. "Billy's Nurse," another Solax drama, proved a most acceptable number.' Other fine dramatic features wero "The Libtlo Mountain Waif" (Comet Co.) and "Unknown" (Esisanay). A good selection of comedies included "A Change of Stripes" (Imp), 'lßloomer Goes Bald" (Cines), and "Bliggs on the Briny" (B. and C.) An exceptionally fino scenic was shown in "The Beauty Spots in Barcelona," whilst the latest Eclair Journal gave the latest fashions and supplies a host of topical news. This programme will bo repeated this, evening, when "The Cowboy Millionaire," will be shown in addition by 8, special request. . • " THE JULIUS KNIGHT COMPANY. The appearance of tho popular favourite, Mr Julius Knight, will doubtless be heartily welcomed in Masterton, he being announced Ifo give \ one special performance at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening next, under the direction of the J. 0. Williamson management, of the pew comedy "Milestones," which has ttiei with so itiUdli suaie&S wherever played. In describing this play a .well known critic writes that the dramatic treatment of the interests of this novel scheme present unusual difficulties, but the authors, Messrs Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblauch, have met them all with an astonishing display of technical skill and atmosphere which unconsciously surrounds the happiest and most prosperous of human lives reaches every heart. Apart from , the literary merits of "Milestones," , which are described as great, it is also stated that the manner of pro- I duction and. the attention to detail I in the various epochs it represents is a revelation hv stagecraft. The management has secured a very strong supporting cast for Mr Knight, which will include Miss Irene Brown k who was recently so successful with the ' H. B. Irving Company, and New Comedy Company specially organised for Mr Knight's Australian and New Zealand tour. The box plan will bo opened at tho Dresden on Saturday next.