AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16470, 13 March 1919, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

"NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH." The historians tell us that George Washington never told a lie. On. the fn-co of it, there does not seem anything particularly difficult about such an irreproachable life, but if Washington had to spend his life-time in. such misery as Robert Bennett, live central figure in "Nothing But the Truth," had to spend one single day,, purely through his truthful propensities, then he certainly deserves his fame as the greatest of all Americana. "Nothing But the Truth" was produced for the first time at the Theatre Royal last' evening before a fair house, and Mr M. B. Figman and his company quickly had themselves on the best if terms with their audience, which went away from the theatre satisfied that for clean, wholesome, spontaneous humour, "Nothing But tlie Truth" stands in a clasa completely by itself. The play is a typically American one. from beginning to end it is pure racy comedy, but by no means farce. It has an original theme, and the author, James Montgomery, han quite a lot to be proud of in hia compilation of tho snappy, at times brilliant. and always laughable dialogue. The author, by the way, is evidently no mean i'udge of the average human character, and le has made tho very most, in extremely humorous fashion, of one very, decided trait in the make-up of the average man—the willingness to tell a "white lio" to suit the surrounding circumstances. Briefly told; the story deals with a young stock-broker, who for a bet of 10,000 dollars, undertakes to tell not a single lie. "white" or otherwise, for just twenty-four hours. Originally, it appears to him to be quite a simple task—in' other words, the 10,000 dollars look "easy money" for him—but ho is quickly undeceived, and the many delicate and embarrassing situations which arise when he finds himself called on to fulfil the contract to. the very letter make for healthy comedy of the broadest type. Not the least exhilarating part of tho affair is the dilemma in which the three who are wagering against him find themselves when questions as to their personal conduct are asked by members of their family _of the temporarily truthful one. There is an resistible swing about the whole play, which, with its inexhaustible fund of wit and its cleverly-constructed scenes, is certainly without, rival amongst the comedies that have been produced of recent years. Christclmrch audiences havo nover had the pleasure of seeing Mr M. B. Figman before, but it is to be hoped that his preeent tour will not mean his farewell to Now Zealand. He is a comedian of a type quite different from that of the usual comedy-monger. Clever, bright, and at all times humorous, his enactment of the part of Robert Bennett was easily the best piece of comedy acting seen here for many years. Mr Figman is an absolute master of by-play and incidental work, quite apart from whatever he might have to soy, and it was his general deportment, his'exquisitely funny gestures—in fact, his complete knowledge of tho light comedian s art that stamped his performance last night as a piece of work as convincing as on© could possibly wish-to see. Further, Mr Figman is one of the quiet school of comedians; nearly all his words are spoken in a coft, well-modulated, but particularly expressive voice, while his gestures are spontaneous, absolutely free from any suspicion of force. I A more natural interpretation of such a role ; as is entrusted to him could not be wished j for, and it is not hard to realise that he is I recognised as one of the first flight ol come- j i dians in America. Mr Mac. M. Barnes looked arid played the part of the not overscrupulous Wall street man to the very lottcr,' while he was well supported by his two companions in the wager Jind in the questionable stcclc dealings by Mr Kenneth Brampton and Mr Pirie Bush. Mr Leslie Victor was wholly at home in tho part of tho very mercenary bishop, the soi-disant "child in business. Miss Lolita, Robertson had not a very heavy part ns Gwendolyn Ralston, daughter of the broken and fiancdo of "George Washington, Junior," but what she had to do was marked by a cheerful naturalness and case. Ever-popular Miss Emma Temple was very congenially cast as the jealous wife <jf the broker, and played the part with her customary finish and spontaneity. M 133 Nellie Wilson, a3 Mabel Jackson, "of the varieties," was responsible for a lot of the comedy, and was first-class in her burlesque work, and minor parts were successfully filled by Misses Primrose Garyll, Lucie Garter, and' Bernice Vert. A word" of praise ia also duo to the excellent selections given by tho orchestra. To night "Nothing But tho Truth" will be repeated. OPERA HOUSE.

Xlie attractive programme afc the Opera House continues to icceivo enthusiastic appreciation. In the first half Come and Baker, Fred Bluett, snd Baron cause hearty amusement and Louiq Alsuco*s violin playing- i 3 loudly applauded. In tlie second halt Xom Haverly's clever company of ..revtio artists while away an hour with a jeatfnl comedy, "iluldoon's Picnic." GERMAN XAYAL StTRKEKDEE. , • OFFICIAL riCTTEK AT CRYSTAL PALACE. The official British Adiniraltr nictiue of the surrender of the German Kar>, as presented at the Queon'fi Hal!. London, by H&avs J. and X. Tait. is to !>o screou<id exclusively at Crystal Palace all next -.reel;. It h tue moat important historical picture that has ever been shown in Xew Zealand. The srroat film, a copy of which has bf>eu ■pluccd in the British Museum to bo preserved for all time as ail official document of the war, is more than 5000 feat in length, and faithfully depicts in four phases all the stirring incidents r.[ this sre:>t event. The following brief synopsis will give an idea of the completeness of the film: Part one deals with the British Admiralty's message, and what Germany gave up. the enrrer.der of submarines. Admiral Tyrwhitt's squadron, the approaching- Üboats. the first arrivals, the U-boat liner (the Deutscliland), the TJ-16 showing surface armament of 5.9 guns, and the many other incidents in connexion with the surrender of the acres of submarines. Part two gives a close-up jriew of one of the famous mystery chips, "and then deals. with the marvellous Channel ferry from England to France, after which comes Part three, showing the surrender of the German. High Seaa Fleet. Prior to the actual surrender H.II. the King ie seen going on board the ■ flagship Qtttoa Elisabeth, and p.WBg an official

I-riair to the United States flagship Nw j York; there are the camouflaged light t ! cruioi-r, ;;nii li.M. aeroplane f.hip Argus; | i av.d then there is the departure of the j I Quceu Elizabeth and the British cruisers | | r-oinf out ana the German fleet. [ At llie-ro is flic first glimpse of lh« (ier.i.au High Fleet, with H.M.S." Cv.rdiSr '.cadtn:-, :;r.d into plain vie'..- conicGerman light" cruisers o£ the Ivocigsberg' 0 1«: ?1 Gemini! destroyers; there is an accident to a British naval aeroplane which h" salved by JI.M.S. Seymour, and thou o-loTi'-' comes tho German battie-crntsers vrith' the German flsjrslsip, the jeadin?. followed l>v list Moitke, the Hindenburs. the fit* Von der Torn, l>rciitln<n'shl battleship'---Kr.er.iT class, thf. liattkship Kaiser, Van J.larkgraf, destroyers j in -ln-.tv, and then the c-onc-.is return to ! th> firth of Forth. Tho- iourt-i part of the picture ot ;-i'ca', liirWic intercut. The "x»; pluns ocei! at The Uris'.ol this rcornir.~, where ?eat« mav he reserved for any matinee or evening performance.

DESERT GOLD AT LIBERTY. j GP.EAT RACIXG DRAMA. •Special interest attaches to th-:- v:m screening in Chriatchurcii, i.t tho Liberty Tiieatre on Monday, of }Jc-aii;uoiii Smith's exciting play of th* Australian Turf, featuring Jir T. H. Lowrr's famous li.cing mare" Desert Gold. JJor.-over, the racing unite ii only ouo of a acora of iii;*rw»liug features of the picture. There is a <vondsrful variety of locution. Tho d.-ourtu-elricken plains of the Far V. €:t cf Australia. the gorgeous scvnc.y of the U:>«» Moiin'tains. the "colour and bustle ot the city couisc.-; on raco days, the blood nii'ies j and tiny loals of tho -?tud farmi, the leadin" training stables, the city racing clubs, and the Richmond (New South Wales) Flying School, -ire ail shovrn. Xeck-to-neck flat raccs. liorfrs toppiing one niter tho other over hurdles, and throwing their riders yards away, a sensational raco between a motor and train Hirovgh lbi> mountains to Ket-nomba, crrint fights on Horseback in the desert, lauliiig' a man ore' Leura "Falls, a thrilling aeroplane flight from Richmond to Bar.dwick racecourse. an attempt to destroy Desert Oold or. Iho training track by tying ar. invisible wira across, the blowing up of a ship at ?ea —these are just a few of the sensation.* erowdod into this c?rcif-rg puper-fenture. Tho box plan opens at Tho Bristol to-day. SURRENDER OF GERMAN FLEET. | AT QUEEN'S THEATRE. j How well the British Navy has done its work is shown in the film, ''The Surrender of the Gorman Navy," which is to bo shown at the Queen's Theatre to-day and to-night for tho first time. The mighty power of the "Silent Navy" is shown m "rirn roalisui as it stands guard over tne surrendered GermaJi Fleet. The scenes include details aboard the ships, panoramic views of the grey monsters, v.-ondarful scenes from the air in which tho greatest battleships appear merely as strange seadenizens, views of submarines iu cndloss lino, and above all Admiral Bcatty with cap as usual at a. defiant angle. This is possibly the beat photo of this popular Admiral ever taken. When one fioc3 tho array of XT-boats, tied together like so many logs it gives one an idea of the vu.*l work the ' Navy has had to do. The German admiral is easily distinguishable as ho makes his way up the steps of that mighty battleship, tho Queen Elizabeth. The different expressions of the sailors on a Üboat are amusing as tlwir pirato-ship is tied un alongside ft British boat and 33 our Bailors take charge of her. Armistice celebrations in England, (France, and Belgium are portrayed. Tho wildest enthusiasm prevails, and one scene shows how tV« men break ranks and surround the King. It is undoubtedly n, historical picture of great ] importance. The big Goldwyn feature, "Money Mad," with Mao Marsh in tho leading -piirt. is also being fthown - also Charles Chaplin in "The Champion." | GRAND THEATRE. The double star programme at the Grand Theatre, which includes Olga Petrova in "Tho Daughter of Destiny," and Emiiy Stevens in "A Man's "World," continues to be heartily received. LIBERTY THEATRE. TTio vjatheli-c 3tory so well acted byAlma. Ruben-i in "Tho Painted Lily," and the. rest" of the excellent programme, attracted large houses yesterday a-t tho Liberty Theatre. EVERYBODY"S THEATRE. "Joan of Plattsburg," the etory of tho littlo drudge who is inspired to help her country by the tale of Joan of Arc, is being 'received with great appreciation at Everybody's Theatre. The supporting programme is a- gfood ono. CRYSTAL PALACE. Those two remarkable pictures, "The Moral Law," featuring Gladys Brockwell, and "The Conqueror," in which Win; Farimm plays the load, are drawing well at tho Crystal Palaoe. A splendid Arbucklo comedy rounds off a good programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Money Mad," a remarkably powerful Goldwyn feature, is the head-liner at the Queen's, and this with good support, including Charlie Chaplin in "The Champion," 0 makes a fine programme, STRAND THEATRE. Sesame Hayakawa in "The Bravest Way," and "The Guilty Man," a moving and powerful indictmeat of the double standard of morality, with excellent support, Are being well received at the Strand Theatre.