EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1924, Page 5

EMPRESS THEATRE.

The picture version of Cynthia Stockley's masterpiece of South African life, "Ponjola,", is being screened at the Em press. Theatre to-day. The producers of the picture have adhered faithfully to the plot and theme of the story, and have given a picture regarded \as a dramatic gem. Anna Q. Nilsson, as the heroine of the play, the English.noblewoman who disguises as a man, is. admirably cast. Despite her essential feminism she is as much.at home in male attire as she is in the clothes, of her sex. The illusion is perfect, and in these sequences of the story where she appears as a man one is said, to lose. consciousness of the fact that it is a woman playing ;:ie part. James Kirkwood, as Luudi Drur.o, 'fclw , embittered Englishman, who Seeks to drown his sorrows in '"ponjola," handles his part excellently, and never or.cc is he guilty of overacting, a failing urnicb is too often the case in the. oiiacMnent of "drunk" roles. Ruth Clifford ha-= a role.essentially suited to her type in Gay Lypiatt; Joseph Kilgour is a convincing' villain, and other prominent roles are excellently handled by Tully Marshal], Edwin "Sturgis, Claire M'Doweil, Claire Dv Brey, and Bernard Randall. A supporting programme of high merit is promised, and Mr. M. Dixcn's Symphony Orchestra plays a fine programme of music. The box plan is at The Bristol, till 5 p.m.,- after which hour seats may be reserved at the theatre.