AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 64, 15 March 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

KINO'S THEAHRE. "Ksther Redeemed" was again presented it the King's Theatre laet uight, when a Jacked house showed their appreciation 01 illss TitteU Brune's acting by hearty aP; plause. As a film artist, Mirr Tlttell Brune is exceptional. Her tragedy is as impressive as her lighter wort is artistic, lv "Esther Redeemed ,, she presents a g""} , ! and almost extravagant drama which will, no doubt, be placed among the best fllms that have ever been ehown before an Auckland audience. The story is one of the happenings in the life of a girl of the slums. The utter degredatlon depicted in the early settings show up in extreme -contrast to the art and beauty of the closing parts, where Miss Brune has the opportunity to dteplay her charming personality and her unusually clever acting. The years of work on the legitimate stage have made this popular artist well known among theatre patrons, and to see her in "Esther Redeemed" is a pleasure. Not only in gesture is Miss Brune successful, but her expression and sincere interpretations'make the story more than more fiction. There is perhaps one of the most wonderful and (ilhcult tests for her to aioet. She plays the neglected child, then develops into a careless and free-living ivomau. Then her whole life changes—she h:is to support the role of a successful woman of cociety. In poor circumstances, she is appealing in her utter abandonment to vice and dienouesty. She takes one for the moment into the life of the most terrible and state of existence. The next moment she einiles with the charm which has made her such a famous artist, and is the fascinating heroine in the sphere which she formerly knew as "the upper ten."' Apart from the attractions of the story, there is the taete mid finish displayed in the photography which marks another advance in the work of the camera. The .severai scenes about the house in wlich Esther is received are like a series of beautiful photogravures, and were warmly appreciated : by the audience at the King's last evening. The orchestra, with the usual tinish, preisented music in keeping with the refinement of the other portion of the programme, and the several solo items were tastefully given. OPERA HOUSE. Another packed audience witnesses the third revue of the Bletsoe Company, "In Vacation Time," last night. Tie play kept the audience in a state of merrdmont from start to finish, the efforts of Koy Bene and Albert Bletsoe being particularly hilarious. The remaining members ail proved popular in their respective roles. The Neapolitans, vocalists, provided v most popular turn on the supporting programme. '■' GLOBE AND GRAND. At the Globe and the Grand Theatres the principal film is " The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell," aud apart from the interest of the subject the production is notable from the fact that the dramatic—one should say melodramatic—portions were acted and photographed in Australia. Taking this fact into consideration the ptoduc tion is uncommonly meritorious. Possibly in timee of sober peace the re-enacting of the harrowing details connected with' the "enth of that noble woman would strike ue as being in excrable taste, but In the tress of war the public's ideas on such maters are uot always qu:ie in focus. im lea of Vera Pearce (the " beauty actress ") a the role of a martyr, is not prepossessag. but acting for the film and acting for he stage are apparently two very different liings. She is quite impressive, and acts he part well Mr. Harrington Reynolds, pother well-known member of the profess ion, takes the part of the Hey. Thomas lerard, one which fits him admirably. The nelodramntic parts of thet"etory—which ollows facts very closely—are done with is much restraint as one woulU expect, and nost of the acting is good. There Is hot he well-drilled finish about the " supers " Jiat one associates, with the best continental films, but remembering that the icted parts were all done in Australia one noet admit that it reaches a high standard. The scenery is weak in places, but gen;rally adequate and effective. Sandwiched in judiciously are a few hundred feet showing the Germans In occupation of Brussels, and the ..crowd outside St. Paul's at the memoriaj- £e,iylee to Nurse Cavelf. The weakness of the film is In the failure tc connect the horse in a drariintic manner with the sheltering and harbouring of re 'ngees and soldiers. "The Martyrdom oi S'urse Cjrvell " will be shown at the . Grand md Globe for the rest of the week. KURSK CAVELL. AT PRINCESS' AND QUEEN'S. "The Martyrdom of Nnrse Cavell," the picture that has caused a mild sensation In Auckland this week, will be again shown it both the Princess and Queen's Theatres to-night. The war has supplied a great leal of material for the camera, but nothing so Impressive and heart-etirring as tie Mm showing the tragic end of a noble ivoman. The subject Is treated admirably, ivith just the right amount of dignity and realism. There are a number , of scenes :aken during the actual Invasion of Belruim, Illustrating the.,barbarous methods of :he Hun, while through the whole pic:ure runs the. story of Nurse Cavell's work md sacrifice, culminating; in_ the final iraital execution. The picture will be rhown day and night at both theatres durng this week._ OTHER PICTURE SHOWS. The current programme at tie-King rtorge Theatre contains two good pictures n Ivonne," a drama of intense interest, inc. an. episode of The Black Box serial mtitled "The House of Mystery." "Esther Redeemed," featuring TitteU Srnne, Is attracting large houses at ETeryx«J s Theatre. Blllle Reeves Is appearing n the supporting programme" .'?£ Bt^ es9 NfeU '" »etory of Che gay days )f Cbaries 11., % one of tue most popular pictures ever screened at the .Lyric. Mary Wokford playe the pert of Nell Gwynne. Allen Doone will appear in "The Rebel" i story of Irish life, for the remainder ol the week at the Grafton Theatre. There Is l strong eapiforting programme. "The Martyrdom of Norse Cavell" Is de picted In picture" form at each session of tnt Brand Theatre. A Ones drama, "03k daughter of Darkness," is another item oi he programme. A great sporting drama is one of the ltemi it tne programme at the Arcadia. ' "T3b Second; String" is aleo a popular picture "EWlowlng the Clue," a powerful detec Ive drama, festering a resourceful lady de active,' Is the stir item at: the Palace. * ORIGAN RECITAL. The nsnal weekly organ recital will b !iyen by Mr. Maughan Barnett, at the Tow; aall, on Saturday evening. In addition t frorks by Wider, Striabln, and Rebikoff th > 'i? an fe t n WlU Play the fine Oiuet from Verdi ,