AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17033, 18 June 1917, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

Large audiences were tho order of the day at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday, where "The Bad Boy," a story of a youthful burglar, is still being screened. .An excellent comedy and two topical films are included in a fine series, while the whaling industry in New Zealand is also depicted. The management of the Plaza Theatre has secured the exclusive rights of the new Mutual releases, and the first of these will be shown to-day under the title of " A Dream or Two Ago."_ The story is from a fine magazine narrative by Henry Arthur Phillips, and has been transferred to the screen in an exceedingly artistic manner. The plot deals with the kidnapping of a rich man's child, and the drama provides Miss Mary Miles Minter with some splendid opportunities. "The Social Leper" continues to be the reigning attraction at Everybody's Theatre, where it was viewed by large audiences on Saturday. The supporting series 15 admirably varied, and contains much that cannot fail to interest The seating accommodation was heavily taxed at the Empire Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening, and patrons derived much enjoyment from the fine series of pictures screened, headed by a powerful drama entitled "The "White Raven," which will be screened for the last time to-day. "HER ROAD TO RUIN." Following a successful season in Australia and the northern centres of New Zealand, the Brandon-Cremer dramatic organisation will commence a season of nine nights and two matinees at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, opening with a matinee representation of the initial drama, "Her Road to Ruin." No one, probably, is better acquainted with the theatrical business as it concerns the management of stock companies than Mr Brandon Oremer, and his operation of stock organisations in Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, and Wellington has demonstrated that good dramas, with plenty of variety, interpreted by players capable of giving individual expression to the characters, skilfully produced, and offered at bedrock prices, are meeting with much public favour. Mr Cremer's records—seven months in Sydney, 25 weeks in Auckland, and nine weeks in Wellington—demonstrate that his organisation has won a secure place in the affections of a very large clientele. In his season here Mr Cremer will stage five sterling plays. Amongst these arc that remarkable drama of remorse, "The Silence of Dean Maitland," Frederick Melville's spectacular and exciting military romance, "Married to the Wrong Man," "Mary Latimer,' Nun" (a striking drama that is now running in London), and a new version of "East Lynne" ! for the final night of the season. The prices will place the enjoyment of the occasion within tho means of all. " BABY MINE." To-morrow evening the popular J. C. Williamson Farce Comedy Company will pay a return visit to His Majesty's Theatre, when they will produce for tho first time in this town the latest and greatest success "Babv Mine," a comedy which caught the popular taste in Christchurch. Much praise has been bestowed :ipon the members of the company by the northern prefis, which states that Miss Beatrice Hollo way, who appeared in the character of Zoic, tile childlike wife, excelled all the previous brilliant characterisations. "Mr Robert Greig," savs tho Ljttelton Times, "made Jimmy Jinks just as one would imagine him, never obtrusive, the centre of much of the comedy, and always an interesting- personality. Mr Kenneth Brampton, as tho fond, jealous, and foolish husband, Alfred Hardy, was exceedingly natural in a well-conceived piece of work, carried out sturdily and clevcrly. Mr Brampton will look to Alfred I-lardy as his best work here. Miss Violet Yorke gave another example of her excellences as Aggie, Jimmy's wife. Mr J. B. Atholwood, as Michael O'Flarety. and Miss Marion Marcus Clarke as Rosa Gatti, gave two exquisite pieces of portraiture; and Miss Esther Mitchell's Maggie O'Flarety. though cast in a slighter mould, was equally praiseworthy." Mr Greig has had the honour of producing the comedy entirely in New Zealand. The scenery and mounting were made in the dominion, as were also the furnishings. The season of "Baby Mine" is a limited one, and the bri plan is now open at tho Bristc*-