AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 February 1915, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURES. Last evening the Empire Theatre was atrain well attended, when the star picture was a fine. Canadian dram, "1 he Trapper's Mistake." To-night will be screened for the first time a cmemato<naph adaptation of- Charles Die Kens .s n..v,>l. --David Copperfield." Everyone is familiar with the story, which is considered bv many to be the authors ci-eatosi- work. Manv of the names, such as Mioawber and Uriah Heap, have become part and parcel of the English language. The llepworth Company were engaged for nine months in producing thTs picture. Most of the scenes were .inemaiograplied in the homos .rom which the author described them. Ihe storv deals with the life of David Copperfield from his earliest days. We follow him in his unhappy life with his stepfather, and his still more wretched experience at school. We ~'C him in Canterburv. haunted by the villainous machinations of Uriah Heap, and accompanied bv his faithful admirer Micawber. •\ era in we see Little Emily, Steerforth, iwotv, and Rosa Dartle. Ihe story is followed in natural sequence, bringing in everv character and incident depicted iti the "novel, showing the delightful <oeues with the child wife and the subsequent calmer aiif*. happier days with David's devoted; jul faithful helpmate \crnes. The firm scene depicts an old- I time Yuletido gathering, with the ole year rung out and the new year rung in. IMPERIAL riCTURES "THEIR ONLY" SON AT THE FRONT." A packed house is expected at the Lyric Theatre to-night, the EC©vie magnet to draw the crowds being the big exclusive war drama. 3000 ft. entitled "Their Onlv Son. 7 ' This picture should appeal to all fathers and mothers who have a boy fighting at the front, as it gives some idea of what our heroes are doing for our King and -country. This subject ihas -been secured at big expense and at big risk of life to our cinema operators, who, to take, this film, had to use all the devices of war, transport, gunboats, aeroplanes, armoured motor cars, etc. Other pictures to sunport the star will be the latest War' Chronicle direct 'from the firing line, showing the London Scottish, Tommy Atkins under fire, and our brave Indian Troops; "Magic Squares," trick film ; a nd a budget of dramas and mirthprovoking comedies -will all help to make this programme- one of the finest yet screened at the Lyric Theatre. -Seats for this programme mav be reserved at Hounsell's. The (Citizens' Band will play new selections outside the Theatre, commencing at 7.30.

WELLINGTON- ENTERTAINERS. The .Wellington Entertainers gave their final performance at the Theatre Royal last evening. The long and va-Tied programme was again to the tastes of the audience, the performers being warmly applauded throughout, and being called upon for many additional items. "THE PRIVATE SECRETARY." On Saturday. Feb. 27th, at the Theatre Royal, -we are to be favoured with a return visit of those popular favourites. "Charley's Aunt 'Comedy ICo. r: Owing to an extended tour through New Zealand the Company' will only be able to give one performance, and the piece selected is the world-famed comedy, "The Private Secretary," which is said to be one scream from the rise to the fall of the curtain. Since their last visit, which will be remembered -with considerable pleasure, the company has been strengthened considerably. As regards the respective characters in the east prominence must be given to Mr Norman Aitken, who, as the .Rev. Robert Spald- ' ing, is simply irresistible; and Mi-" : -N'or-' man Kales in the part of^Cattermolej'the stout and blustering gentleman from India. These two gentlemen, convulse the house on every conceivable-occasion. As Gibson, a London tailor, Mr Kenneth Aitken has a. part which is particularly suitable to his style of comedy. MiFrederick Hughes, " who travelled New Zealand recently with the Hugh Buckler Paget Company, and Mr ißentley Russell, an old favourite, as Harry Marsland and 'Douglas Cattermole respectively, handle their parts with considerable skill. Mr George Burnetts, a late member of J. C. Williamson's "Squaw Man" Company, gives Mr Marsland the necessary importance as the head of the household. The ladies are particularly clever. The (Misses Ruby Scott and Marie Fixe have excellent opportunities of displaying their ability in two pretty little parts, and in each case are successful. Two grand character parts are entrusted to the >Misses Hardirvge-Maltby and Ethel Lissaok, and their work is spoken of very highly. That the company will have a bumper house goes without saying, for it is characteristic of the Nelson residents to always .support a theatrical enterprise of merit. The box plan is now open at Jackson's, where seats . mav be reserved - 1