ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 354, 13 February 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

23rd 1,- MONTHLY POP

Have you booked your seats for the Patriotic Conceit on Friday night in the Hastings Municipal Theatre? Of course you have. But have al] your friends done so too? It's worth' an extra (id, and if you leave it too late there will be no seats to book. This 23rd entertainment marks the end of two years' hard work made splondidlv worth while by the results of public support. Not one of those who have so wi.lingly given their time, their patience, and much physical energy, grudge any of it when the help to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund, the Liverpool Fund, and the IN ounded Emergency Fund have reached the figures they have. To the entertainers and the theatre staff alike is due the credit. On rriday night the programme is excellent, but probably the interest of everyone is centered on the drawing of the famous Wounded Fund Art Union, which takes place after Mr. and Mrsl Harry Avery have concluded the evening’s programme with some new ragtime melodies. Who will get the motor car? Why not you Come and see! Box plan at Had and Sons.

GEO. WILLOUGHBY’S MUSICAL FARCE COMPANY.

“WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES.’’

On Monday next, the 19th inst., Geo. Willoughby and his new musical farce company will commence a two night’s season in the Municipal Theatre, Hastings. The opening production will be Geo. Broadhurst’s comedyfarce “What Happened to Jones,’’ and will be played on Friday night only, to be followed by another equally amusing farce, entitled “Why Smith Left Home.” A feature of both productions will be the latest musical items and dances which will be artfully interspersed in the productions so as to make them a part and parcel of the pieces. Principals of the company who are prominent in the musical portions of the programme are Messrs. Geo. Willoughby and Albert, the Misses June Addell, Edna Seaton and Florrie Fanning. Speaking of the production the “Melbourne Argus” makes the following remarks: —“‘What Happened to. Jones ’ was played with all the briskness which is its due, and Mr. Willoughby especially was dexterous in action and perception when * Jones was faced with the necessity of masquerading in the unfamiliar habiliments of a clergyman.” It is a race between, “Why Smith Left Home” and the above farce as to which is the funniest. The box plan is open at Hall’s Bookseller.

J.. C. WILLIAMSON’S DRAMATIC COMPANY

IN “DAMAGED GOODS.”

The announcement that the J. C. Williamson management is to produce M. Eugene Brieux’s propagandist pla\ “Damaged Goods,” at the Municipal Theatre, on Wednesday, February 2 ( ’tli. conies at a time when public attention has been aroused by the realisation oi the deadiy evil that is in our midst. The prevalence of venereal disease ami the immediate necessity for taking drastic measures to cope with the menace are points upon which there i already almost universal agreement. But there is still a vast amount of propaganda work to be done before th. whole community is thoroughly i,, touch with the subject in its entirety. Towards the accomplishment of tba.. end the management claims that thproduction of M. Eugene Brieux , drama will constitute a long step. “Damaged Goods” is something mor: than a medical tract; if it were tha, alone there would be little chance of its success. As a matter of fact, th--drama has been described as a brillian. piece of stage-craft. It is founded o>. a sympathetic appreciation of the Classic Greek. Just as Sophocles took incest and parricide for his theme in the “Oedipus,” so does M. Brieux take th spread of syphilis as the motive of hi , drama. It is an exposition of th • criminal ignorance of the community, fostered by the evil conspiracy o.

secrecy in relation to the elements of bodily health. And the manner in which the dramatist accomplishes his end is said to be a triumph of art. The company selected to interpret “Damaged Goods” in Australasia has been chosen with great care, and includes Air. Stephen E. Scanlan, who makes his first appearance in New Zealand as the “Doctor,” a character on which the whole production depends, and said to be the longest part ever written for the stage. Others appearing in the cast are Miss Gertrude Boswell, Miss Gwen Burroughs, Miss Alma Rock, Phillips, Miss Gwen Dorise, Miss Molly Taylor, Messrs. Lewis Willoughby, Sydney Stirling. J. B. Atholwood, Kenneth Brampton, and others. The management wish it understood that the play will be staged precisely the same as in Melbourne and Sydney. Box Plan is announced to be opened at Hall and Sons: on Monday morning next, at 9 o’clock.