AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14964, 26 August 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MAGGIE MOORE AS MRS M SWEENEY. Thinking over the entertainment presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night, it occurs to us that the. undoubted success achieved, the testifying facts being the attentive attitude of "the large audience, their frequent outbursts or spontaneons laughter, and their willingness to stay to the end, is a deckled tribute to the ability of Maggie Moore and her company. ' Mrs M'Sweeney * is not inherently a strong drama. Judged by the regular standards, it is not a drama n't all. One of the essential ingredients of the drama proper is altogether "absent. The author of ' Mrs M'Sweeney,' or perhaps we should say the adapter of this work to stage purposes, has not invoked the mysterious or the eccentric or the uncommon. he has given us neither problem nor sensation, not even a piot, and if there is a hero tve failed to discover him. The scheme of the piece is of the purest simplicity. It merely shows a series of scenes, not verv ingeniously related to each other, in the "home life of the M'Sweeneys. who are a very ordinary coupie—the husband the common type 'of the retired bush shantykeeper. the wife the benevolent despot of the establishment. The play is so destitute of individual quality that, though it pretends to be Australian, it reveals no Australian characteristics. The only indication that it is Australian, apart from Mrs M'Sweeney's professed love for her adopted country, is an occasional reference to gum trees, and local distinctions are so completely ignored that the action might as well be in Perth as in Brisbane, or, for that matter, in Singapore or Rhodesia. Out of such slender material it would be a hard task for an ordinary

actress to make an interesting performance, and that is our argument—that whereas Maggie Moore builds up out of nothing an entertainment that can hold an intelligent audience, she is proved to be elever~and gil'ted with initiative. Outolder theatregoers are not likely to ask for evidence as to Maggie Moore's power as an actress. They remember her Lizzie Stofel. and that suffices. What they may inquire about i* whether Maggie Monro retains her piquancy and her voice, and we have much pleasure in answering afurmativeiy. The years are handling this lady gently. She 'is nimble enough to venture safely upon a step-dance, she speaks with as much animation as when we first saw her. and her genial and conquering personality is not in the least impaired. We present this statement not as a compliment, but as the outcome of a considered judgment, in which the _ interests of the public are taken into account, and our summing up is that 'Mrs M'Sweeney.' plus Maggie Moore, is a better entertainment than many a stronger niece without so able an exponent in the lead. That phrase. "in the lead," suggests a further duty. Maggie Moore certainly shoulders the main responsibility, and 'the whole stagework centres in her: stiii she exercises the conscientiousness of an artist in allowing others of the company to be seen, and of those others we must mention Mr E. B. Russell, tho Mr M'Sweeney of the play. At his first appearance we feared him. Romping with his twin imps, he seemed likely _to develop as the usual low-comedy Irishman, a character of whom one grows somewhat intolerant when seen for the thousandth time. But Mr Russell quickly got away from tradition, and we regard his portraiture oi M'Sweeney as a skilful study from tho life. One 'often meets -with a M'Sweeney in these new lands. He is a big man. and a blusterer, accustomed to the clm'cking-out method of government, yet he does not mean half he says. He is "ill at ease in his best clothes. He wants you to notice his new "pianny," but he is not too proud to churn in with bard-ups. He has made bis money out of liquor, but takes it himself only as a luxury. There are many worse fellows than M'Sweeney. Mr Russell evidently knows the. type, and hits him off to the life, studiously'avoiding exaggeration. The rest of the characters set no further into the picture than the background, yet their little is done passably well. Mr Arthur Shirley's impersonation of PJantaganet Ford bam perhaps deserves a bit more praise than that, if for no other reason than that he beat off the temptation to guy the part. Fordham ia, of course, a fool.' The Englishman in an Irish play is mostly either an idiot- or 6 "blackguard. In 'this respect 'Mrs -M'Sweeney ' follows the, custom. It is the only point in which it follow? anything. Mention may also be made of .Mr Charles Morse's sprightly acting as Jack Freeman, and Miss Glorie Gould came into prominence by reason of her acceptable singing. The piece is MiitaWy mounted, and the Irish music is made a feature of by both orchestra and vocalists. 'Mrs M'Sweeney' is to be repeated this evening. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new programme at the Queen's Theatre to-day is lifted beyond the average by an extraordinary film depicting the DieppV Circuit Motor Race of 1912 over a coif-se of 956 metres. I'athe Freres employed 12 cameras to take this film, and, curiously enough, the sensational accident which cost one chauffeur his life occurred right in front of the machines. The limited race was won by a 12-16 h.p. Sunbeam model, which averaged 6b' s miles an hour, and did one level mile at the fastest speed—96j miles an hour. Two other Sunbeam cars were second and third. Tho unlimited race was won by a French car »»f 175 h.p., which, nevertheless, achieved an average speed cf only 68 miles an hour. This is one of the most exciting films re vealed in Dunedin. In the realms of ordered drama 'Bibbie's Revenge' takes pride of place. Bibbie is an actress who ha? become engaged to Mark, the son of the Marquis Alexandra. The course of true love becomes rough when the latter learns of his son's entanglement, and Mark obeys his fathers wishes, and marries a. charming girl of suitable fortune. When Bibbie reads of the marriage she goes to her lover's rooms and destroys all the furniture and fittings of value. The marquis arrives in the middle of the. scene, is charmed by the girl, confesses his admiration, and" offers his hand in marriage. In revenge she accepts the offer. 'Artist Max' is a first-rate comedy, and there are two scenic subjects of note. The programme is, in fact, an outstanding one, even when compared with the many fine shows that have been given in the theatre. It will be screened to-night, and thereafter morning, afternoon, and evening until Thursday morning. FULLERS' PICTURES. There was the usual large attendance at ihe Princess Theatre on Saturday night. There will be a complete change of programme this evening, when the new films will include 'An Outcast Among Out-;-asts," a graphic and stirring photo play ; ' The Insurgent Senator,' a story of pre-sent-day political life in the United States Senate; 'Mugains, V.C.,' "The Impostor,' and ' Coast of Brittany.' HAYWARDS' PICTURES. There was an excellent attendance at Burns Hall on Saturday evening. The new series of film subjects which will be displayed to-night is qui,t*j up to the high standard of merit usually maintained by Haywards' Enterprises. ' The piece de resistance is a powerful and convincing drama in fine coloring entitled 'The Life Tragedy of Mona Lisa.' The principal humor is contained in an Edison production, 'ls He Eligible?' This comedy is a thousand feet long, and said to ije extremly funny. There are two scenic subjects, several comics, the topical 'Gaumont Graphic,' and a photo play called 'The Masterpiece,' which is the product of Pat he Freres. TINY TOWN. The midgets from Tiny Town had quite a busy time on Saturday, large crowds visiting them. The pleasant little people are ever courteous and smiling, and in their entertainment reveal much cleverness. The show is well _worth seeing. It is open twice daily, 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. THE SKATING RINK. Tho attendance at the Brydone Rink was well up to the usual standard on Saturday evening. The serpentine parade was rehearsed, quite a big crowd taking part in the movement. To-night the ladies' waltzing class takes place at 7 o'clock, and the usual session will be held from 7.30 to 10 o'clock.

KING'S THEATRE. ' Bedfellows' is to form the foundation of the superstructure of entertainment at the King's Theatre to-night. It is a domestic comedy sketch, and will be presented by Miss Beaumont Collins and company. The Brennans, dancing experts, will "make a

first appearance. The retained performers will present new items.