AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, 7 June 1917, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURES. | A most delightful programme is now Dt'iue shown at the Kmpiie Theatre. Last night's audience were keenly enthusiastic about the two excellent subjects presented, namely, a William Fex photoplay entitled "Should a Mother Tell" featuring Betty Xansen and Stuart Holmes, and a grand Hepworth prodiicMon of an o!d ! favourite comedy-drama "Sweet Lavender," with Henry Ainley, an actor of magnetic powers aiij c'.iarmiuo- personality, in the lead. "Sweet Lavender," by Sir Arthur Pinero. with its tender touch of humanity and its delicate tone, has been translated into half-a-dozen languages. Much attention has been niven to the play "Should a Mother Tell." 'Perhaps never before had a mother been called upon to face a- problem of such vital importance to herself and her dear ones as presented itself to Marie. Baudin. Faced with the tragic responsibility of choosing between her daughter's hajppine'ss and the life of an innocent man, there comes 'the world-old primitive instinct of a mother to protect her child. .Her first wild impulse is to sacrifice all for her own. Later -jomes a reaction. Can she stand by and permit an innocent man's blood to be shed? Now her mother passion is uppermost; now her sense of righ't and justice. Miss Hansen, in "Should a Mother Tell," has one solution for the problem. This programme will be re pea ted to-night. Richmond will be visited as usual this evening.

THEATRE ROYAL. PEOPLE'S PICTURES. Two fascinating and powerful dramas will be presented at the Theatre Royal to-night—a Famous Players' entitled "The Lash." featuring Marie Doro, and a Mutual-Thos. H. Ince production, "On the Night Stage," starring the popular Win. Hart. There is the thrill of Nature and primitive characters, as well as the charm of well-bred society, in "The Lash." Marie Doro is charming as the unsophisticated young daughter of the Prefect of the island. Sidonie, as she is called, is much sought after on count of her beauty, but John Du Val (the (father) favours Pierre Broule, a stalwart fisherman. Warren Harding is injured while coming by boat to the island and Sidonie tends to him. Her attentions cause the villagers to decide she should be punished by the lash. Sidonie hears them plotting, so she and "Warren escape to the mainland. They are married and go to live with the voung man's mother, . who is wealthy. Sidonie is taken to the establishment of a fashionable modiste, and Warren is astonished and- pleased when he witnesses the transformation, thanks to a costly ballroom gown. Violet Wayne, who threw over Warren to marry a Mr Crawdon, tries to win back the young man after her husband's death. Sidonie sees her and is angered, and remembering the punishment meted out to forward young women in St. Baptiste, the girl applies the lash to Violet, then goes back to the island. Henrietta stirs up the villagers to lash the girl. "Warren returns, whips Pierre, and appears on the scene in time to save his bride. Many picturesque views of the island are shown : some of the most effective deal with the surf tossing the little boats about like eggshells ; in fact, the scenic vestures of this production, it was remarked, surpass anything, that has ever attempted' in the cinema. "On the Night Stage," features Wm. Hart, and is considered one of the best pictures of the vear. A short resume is as follows: Belle Shields, a dance-hall girl, who is the sweetheart of Texas Smith, the silent road agent, is- much taken with Austin, the new Parson. The cowboys "kid" Texas and a fight follows —some fight, too. Austin and Texas fight back ■to"""backhand afterwards become great friends. Austin and Belle are married, but Texas keeps a watchful eye on Belle, so that she will not side-step. His watchfulness is needed, for Belle comes under the power of handsome Jack Malone, who threatens to break the happiness of her home. Texas once again takes to the road, holds up the night stage, but all lie takes is Malone,-'who. finds he has to deal with a man. Texas pays the debt to Austin and Belle in full.