AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 169, 17 July 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

' "MOTHER GOOSE" PANTOMIME TO-NIGHT. This evening, at a-quarter to 8, at His Majesty s Theatre, the curtain will rise on Hh' much anticipated J. C. WilUnmson Mother Goose" pantomime. The company of over 100 members arrived from the south on Sunday. The season is announced for eight nights, with matinees . next Wednesday aud Saturday, and the box likLu.s for the eutire season are at Wilduian and Arcy's, and are fillini! rapidly. "Mother Goose" comes with the.reputation of being the very best of pantomime productions for many years. Unusual interest is centred in the first appearances here of a number of London Drury Lane artists, including Misses De Venny, Maud Fane, Messrs. Victor Kelly, Albert Felino, Arthur Ktigant, Billy lc Bruii. It takes sixteen gorgeous scenes aud two acts to interpret the story. Ballets, marches, specialties, and glittering ensembles are, it Is said, lavishly provided. The stage direction is in the hands of Mr. J. C. Whltfleld, and the music under the direction of Mr. J. X.' Kcera. OPERA HOUSE. iLa Blanc's burlesque company got a chance to make the most of their many clever and amusing qualities in a distinctly \vitt£ aud original farce called "In Old Seville," which is being staged at tne Opera House to-night. There is a strong aupporting vaudeville programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. The picture called "What Will People Say?" wlilch was introduced at the I'rincess Theatre on Saturday, besides being au entirely novel subject for Auckland ■plctur(j-gocrs, ranks as one of the best dramutic Ulnis tliiit have come this way for some time pact. As the slgutlicaut title suggests, the produi-llon deals with a very important intluence us tar as the lives of most people an- concerned, aud in doing so, presents a decidedly powerful and uYnnuitic story. The Him, which comes from the studios of the "Metro. ,, company, tells how I'ersls, the daughter of a banker who is on the verge of ruin, marries a millionaire to save the situation. Of course, she Is really In love with another nuui, who happens to bo an army captain, and when ehe discovers that her husband Is carrying on an au":iir with imuther woman die considers herself at liberty to accept the homage that her captain lover offers. lToin this out Lliu .pic-turu becomes Intensely interesting, u iul develops Into a highly affecting study of the woman's light for happiness. The lover Is eventually brought to his bearings by Lhe realisation of his decreasing social prestige, and of "what will people aayV The story ends in a wholly unexpected manner, and Uiroughoiit Its screening, is staged aud ax-ted in a manner worthy of the Metro, company. GHAiND "EHEATKIi

A refreshingly original theme la portrayed iiy the tllni at the top of the list at the Grand Theatre. The picture Is culled "in the Big Shows," and Is v vigorous and realistic portrayal of v Hue subject. The story, which Iβ intensely dramatic In parts, shows how a young man rails In love with a beautiful muskshall girl, and arouses the Jealousy of her hall-breed lover. But for the Intervention of a young doctor, the Indian's fiendish vengeance would have been carried oiru A comic story of rural love-making is told by a Mm called "The Village Scandal," In wiilett "I'utly" Arbuckle and Raymond Illtctocock are tihe chief merrymakers. Aα intcrtedug explanation of some aspects of the copper industry,, and the latest budget of news from the front, ere also screened. KERJ'S AND ©VEaiBODI'S. The patrons of King's aad Everybody's Theatres wcr» obviously well pleased with fart , introduced l>y the Chungs of bill on Saturday. Two pictures have fairly equal claims to be placed at the top of mc lkit, one being a datum and the other a comedy. The former Is called "Charity Aim," and, is a well-written story that Is for the most part extremely pathetic, but Is enlivened with an intermittent vein or uuraour. alias EUuibeth Ulsdon vapaDiy portrays the leading character. The otlier feature or tne toill is "TII9 Temptation or the Janitors Wife," wnleh comes from the hands of the "Tici'stotte" Company, and Is sjhjtpod to raise so many to tne minute. The absurdly laughable story Is woven round the endeavours of the janitor to discipline his wilful wife. Amongst the couih: Incidents of the story arc some highly eensatlonal happenings. The bill also Includes the latest Pa the Gazette, and a Him tin:: usages of. modern, sutiinariuc warfare. GIjOBE THEATRb. At the Globe Theatre the new bill includes a 'weli-wrltten drama called "The PuriUcation of Mnifera," which Iβ a further Instalment of the fascinating "•Stlngareo" series. The film shows how the bushranger waylays a bishop, takes his clothes, and sets out to "purify" Mulfern—the toughest town In Australia. .The ■way In which he achieves his mission and In which Mulfera lives up to its reputation forma a highly sensational subject. Another Important Item on the list is an exceedingly dramatic story called "Alone In London," while a ißoscoc Arbtickle specialty entitled "Cinders of Love" appears as the chief comedy. The usual topical news Items are also included In the bin. QtraJKVS THBATRB. A new programme of plctnres was given at tiie Qnecn's Theatre on Saturday evening, the principal Item on the list being a drams entitled "Ufe's Whirlpool," adapted from the striking novel "MeTeagiK!," written by Frank Nbrris. Aβ is usual, tbe theatre nrae very largely patronised at all sessions, aud each audience announced its warm approval of the class of pictures prorMral. Life's Whirlpool" deals principally

with domestic misunderstandinsa A ninn who Is addicted to tlx? drink Tiabit Is joined to a woman who is ambitious for wealth nnd social standing. Naturally they do not agree, 'but the quarrel develops along extraordinary lines, and the scenes wlilcli Bo to make np this remarkable picture are full of thrilling situations. The conclusion Is In accord with the foregoing happenings, but it comes in a way that is quite unexpected. A variety of subject matter is contained in the pictures making up the remainder of the programme. The customtiry sessions urc being observed today. KING GEOKGB THEATJEE. The principal features of the programme nt the Kins Georjje Theatre are tiro well produced dramas. One, entitled "A Knight of the Hange," is of the familiar Western type, but Is constructed In a realistic and convincing manner without undue exaggeration. A proper clement at cowboys, suiooim, and horsemanship is introduced to make up the rascmathig atmospheiv of the West, and the sensational parts arc decidedly strong and affecting. The picture is stage managed by the "Red Feather" producers. The other dramatic picture ou the bill Iβ a further Instalment of the "Broken Coin" series, In which tlie Inimitable hero of that story ngaln shows himself to be as ingenious and daring as ever. The Qirtest edition of the Eclair Journal and an amusing comedy are ateo screened. USSJC THEATRE. A drama entitled "The Chalice of CouTage," based upon -Cyme Townsend Brady's romance of that title, wm be presented to-nJght at the ILyric Theatre, where it will ocenpy pride of place on the programme 'toe week. A flno enpportlng list of pictures Is also promised. GHAFTCW TaHBATiIE. A highly emotloal dramatic production called "Life's Whirlpool" is the big item oa the new bill at the Grafton Theatre. The picture, which Iβ constructea from the book "JlcTeague," works out an original plot with uimenally affecting accompaniments. It lias been converted from book to film -with a great amount of Ingenuity mid resourcefulness. The picture relates how a snan and a woman, the one ndfllcted to drink and the other obsessed with a desire for great wealth, rdlinquieh their positions ou the social scale uud become the mere Instruments. of their respective vices. When tne nwin BiKfclcnly loses his means of Uvetmood.Bt trbo bands of a -pseudo friend, he and Wβ iivnriclouß wife become mere atom* In 'life's whirlpool," nnd fbe story <m«n with a lastingly impressive sqcue on the deiert, where the man payx hie last debt. Two other good Itamn on the. lilt are "Itarrey Morton'i Adventures" tad "Boot Pottcy.

ARCADIA THEATRE. A five-act Metres, production, "The Bigger Man," is at the top of the list at the Arcadia Theatre. The film, abounds with dramatic scenes, and there is a delightful heroine, In the person of Rene Kelly, who is accompanied by an equally effective hero, Henry Kolker. The picture is uniformly good, and the acting reaches a high standard. A film which aims at explaining 'some of the problems or political economy, especially with regard to the relations between capital and labour in the early stages of the world's Is aflso shown. THE TIVOIJ FOLLIES. The Tivoli Follies finished up their Auckland Benson on Saturday, when there were crowded houses at His Majesty's Theatre both afternoon and evening. VICTORIA .LEAGUE. The Red Cross Fund Committee of the Victoria League recently brought under tne notice of the Government, through Mr J. H. Gunson. tho need -which existed at the Auckland Hospital annexe for a sitting room for the soldiers quartered there As a result of the representations made, money was voted for the erection of a suitable room, and Mr Rupert Morton gave his services as architect for the structure. A small 'discrepancy between the sum voted nnd the actual cost of the room was made good by the ladle* of the committee, and they were also responsible for- furnishing the room. (In Saturday evening last a" tea and social was held as a sort of a- "hops.ewarmlng." ■ Mrs J. U ,n. Bloomfleld (president), assisted by Mrs A. J. Edmunds (serretary) were in charge of proceedings. Following tea a programme organised by Miss Fenton was given, those contributing items being Mcsdamea Magulre, l'atriclt Cole, Mulgan, Misses Fenton. Kent, Walker, Garlick, Mr Fenton and l'roferwor 'Edgprton. The room was tjistcfully decorated for the occasion, anil n lire was lighted lti the large colonial fireplace. At the conclu-

filon of the entertainment the soldiers the part they had played in lhaving the room provided for them.