EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 9

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Pierre Benoit'e sensational novel. "l'Atlantide," has been adapted to the screen; it was shown at the Empress Theatre last night and proved to be a triumph of acting and settings. It is staged amidst wonderful Eastern scenery, and the audience at once appreciates its picturesque story. Antinea reigns as queen of a great country in the Sahara Desert, visitors to which have never been known ■to return. To see her is, for most men, to fall in love with her, so fascinating are the charms she exercises over them. Antinea-% love is all for Morhange (Jean r Angelo, a French officer), who in turn refuses to have anything to do \yith. her. Morbange's bro-ther-officer, Lieut. Saint-Avit, has fallen madly in love with the.queen. Enraged at Morhange's cool treatment of her, Antinea drugs Saint-Avit, plays on his jealousy of JEorhange ,and influences him to kill, his rival. He makes his escape across the desert in company with TanitZorga (Marie Louise tribe), but she dies of thirst, whilst he reaches civilisation. The picture closes with his voluntary return to Antinea,. whom he loves deeply, and to what he knows is certain death. The stjry is simple, but the spectacular side has been wonderfully well caught. It is aD. W. Griffith release, and naturally bears the stamp of perfection, which is usual'in all Griffith pictures. In Mile. Stacia Napierkowska is revealed a beautiful actress, who brings a personality, wonderful gowns, and a dramatic sense to make the part of the queen a striking role. Abundant humour is provided by Larry Semon in "Golf," and comedy that in every way equals the absurdities that the audience are wont to expect from one of the world's greatest comedians. An excellent selection of music is played by the Empress Distinctive Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. L. D. Austin.