AMUSEMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10751, 26 April 1911, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

'•WHY MEN LOVE WOMEN." Onmaru is not generally a good showplace for melodrama, but the liouso that greeted Allan Hamilton's Dramatic Company last night was decidedly above the average. Perhaps it was the mystery of the title —perhaps it was an interest in the harem skirt—perhaps it was an earnest desire to learn the solution of*the problem of the play that attracted the large audience to "Why Men Love Women." . The play itself is pure melodrama, with revolver shots, -duels, a murder, and an apparent resurrection. Violet Livingstone, an.English girl in India, under the guardianship of a native prince, Ackbar Mohammed Khan, disposes of her fortune that the man she loves,' Gerald Fielding, a struggling, artist, niay marry her without incurring the censure of the world for marrying her money. It appears that Love's sacrifice will" earn Love's reward when villain comes on the scene. He is a Russian, a card-sharper, afflicted with a maniacal lust of gold. He hates Gerald Fiel'din'g.becauseFielding has threatened..to expose him and his villainy, and also because Fielding' has won the love of Miss Livingstone, whom the villain, Captain Standoff, would, marry for her money. The vil- j lain is a most refreshing one in these degenerate latter days.. He has not a single redeeming', attribute, and through four acts he ;iutjilessly' dogs _the 'steps of tlie hero' and heroine, striving vainly to overcome tlie good fortune that favors! them. .He .accuses Fielding of a murder. of which' he: is hinoceijt and, while the. hero is im.prison.ed, tortures and insults the. heroine.' , But it could not be expected that.a heroine as perfect , in, J°ve> a«4 co.uld be triumpne'd- oyer By a. J yillain who attains, perfection. .in. : crfpift;,..rfnd. in. the fourth.'apt. all .comes' right. ~ Fielding and his love are re-united,, and Captain Staniloff is shot hy. MufieL.ssoluski, .sister of a man wn'ofn': Staiiiloff drove to suicide'.- ...... "....., ...-...-. .-... ~...,, •■ While .the .piece was at best melodrama;. the pdnipan'y '■'. was worthy ,of some better material.for their art. IVli'ss Frances Ross was consistently jpleashig as Violet.: Livingstone,.' andj. triumphed over all tlie difficulties" which .the part of a,m'eipdramafjic,Heroine is burdened. , As.G;erafdi;FJel'dTng',jVfc. Conway W'ingfield" .was forceful, and.: convincing. Mr Billiard., Vox, 'as.CapfanLStanilotf, kept the most villainous". .villain under control, and never overrcblored. his presentation. - Mr. Ronald W. Riley, as Ackbar jVlohanimed Khan, Mr Frederick Reade as Tommy Fitzherbert, Miss Muriel Dale as also merit commendation for their capable' actingThe melodramatic comedy was supplied by Orlando Figgins (Mr Fred Cambourne), his wife Matilda (Miss Clara Stephenson) and the two harem skirt girls. The. scenes were laid in Simla., and at Miss Livingstone's bungalow at the foot of the Himalayas, affording opportunities for . beautiful, mounting whicli the management made tlie most of. This evening. an, entirely..new version of Mrs Henry Wood's drama "East Lynne" will be presented. In .this piece Miss Frances Ross will, appear as Lady Isabel, a character ..which, she made successful in Melbourne, where it drew large houses. The. Dunedin season proved a great success. The plan is at Begg's. UNIVERSAL PICTURES.

To-morrow evening, the Universal Picture Company will present a oontplete new programme'.of motion picture masterpieces. This entertaining, series has been obtained from Jno. Fuller arid Sons, and it has met with.great success throughout the centres. were turned away from the Princess Theatre in Dunedin on the; night the series was first screened, and the programme was successful in holding .the interest of the large audience from start. : to finish. The Pathe Gazette conveys vivid information and incidents of-, interest to the public, views. of. the-; fatal, fire at Soutlr.vark being contained'- in tli'e film. The Gaumout Company, supply a. really beautiful filni illustrating the exciting winter sports tit Chariiouuix. Another film sliows many historic: spots about Loudon- —temples, and courts, gardens and inns, and churches connected with the famous, names' .of . Dickens ..and Thackeray, GoldsinithV, Johnston, Wren, and Inigo Jones, and away back for centuries further still. The dramatic films are. up to the. high -standard set bv Fullers. . .."The. Coachman, of the Village," ."The. Queen, of Hearts," and "A Woman's Love", .pre .powerful picture plays welt acted! arid interesting. The Kalem Company have a . masterpiece 'in. "The. Girl Spy. atVick'sburg," which contains amongst jobber, exciting incidents views of the blowing Irjj of an ammunition wagon..., . ".Tonioliiii," '' Foolshead," .'s£i Jack. arid. : Slim Jim," and an A.8.. fomedy provide the humor of the entertainment, and it is without doubt in capable hands. .

"SEVEN DA.YS:" " Mr Hugh J. Ward and his .company of comedians make a .farewell, visit to Oamaru on Tuesday next with the farco "Seven Days." Part of, the riotoiis•fitit of this play comes froihv the: allotment of housework- to. £ .dinner _. jDarty of fashionable folk,- wh"o<. are-q"uaraiitined : in a Riverside Djive house. The servants have fled', and so the running of the house .falls upon.. men and' women who have never ha'd to do it, and know nothing about- it. : They draw lots; tib see who shall be butler, cook, laundress, lady's maid, aiid : so 611. A girl who.has never cooked, anything- except fudge, wins the breakfasts, and. a policeman draws the lady's niaid slip. But the fun and laughter, have started long before this. -Mr; Ward, who is bidding farewell'as-an .actor to Australian theatre-goers, staged this play in Sydney .--for the latter half of his season-there, at'the Palace Theatre. It followed "The Girl from Rector's." The Sydney press and public were unanimous in their plaudits, and both,agreed that. in "Seven -Days". Mr--Ward has secured a play, not before equalled in farqical comedy as t a. laughter maker, and. also one in- which his compact-com-pany-are: seen, to the ii'tnfos't advantage. The Company's appearance here is a farewell one to all- its,.members. Air Ward retrfes from acting jii J-iiiie next to- enter into a partnership with J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Miss Grace Palotta returns to Europe, and the other artists to their various headquarters. The season is for one night only, and a bumper house is assured.