AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

PRINCESS THEATRE. Hio Bletsoo Kuvuo Company still continues to cntext.ua largo audiences at the Princess Theatre, and there was a very good house last lng-ht when t-ho current programme) was repeated. 'i'Uc bright and amusing musical sketch, " Vacation Time," drew continuous signs o( approval irom tho audience, and Uie tuneful ditties and 6mart * quips that wero its clue! features were very entertaining. The supporting turns were generally meritorious." The programme ■will be repeated to-night. Tlio usual matinee will bo "held to-morrow. HAYWAIIDS' THEATRE. Tho pictorial adaptation of Anthony Hope's stirring romance, " Rupert of Hentsau," is proving a sine draw at the Octagon Theatre. The pieco is most capably acted and the staging and photography arc specially line. " Tho Story of a Glove "is an interesting little comedy, and tho rest of tho subjects make up an excellent programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Hio new programme screened at tho Queen's Theatre yesterday was headed by a four-act play by the Ideal Company, entitled "The Evil Eye." This is a line drama. on lines similar to Du Mauner's "Trilby," dealing with hypnotio influence on a young woman and tho triumph of lovo oVer evil. Dr Sevani is a medical man who is\ possessed of great hypnotio power, which he uses for his own evil ends. Mr Roberts is a millionaire, and the' father of Ella, a charming girl with many admirers, and one aoccptablo lover, Allan Grainger, a young lawyer. At tho birthday celebrations of iho girl, a new admirer in Dr Rciiauld Sevani is admitted, and desires an interview with the millionaire. lie reminds the millionanro that when he was poor he (Dr Sevani) restored Ella's health, free of charge. Ho no.v wishes to claim his fee, which is tho hand of the girl. There is a stormy scens between Roberts and Sevani, and Ella enters the room m time to hear some of tho words. The hypnotist fixes her with his gazo and proves that she is under his influence. Tho father determines to Btregfjio against the evil eye of Sevani, and refuses his daughter in marriage. That night Roberts falls asleep at his table, and on the following morning he is found dead in his room. Eila is under suspicion. Tho circumstantial evidence against her is very complete, bnt her fiancee, Granger, believes in her innocence, and takes a prominent part in undoing the tangled thread. The play is very powerful and interesting all through, and the denouement is surprising. The supporting items include: "Spades are Trumps," a Vitagraph farce; a charming trip through the dales of Derbyshire; a clever cartoon oom-edy, " Pater's Picnic" ; and the Pathe Gazette. PLAZA PICTURES. The new programme of pictures shown yesterday at the Plaza Theatre for the first time is entitled to a generous measure of popular support, as it stands out as one of the best shown at this place of amusement for some time. Comedy of a relreshing and genuine sort linds a iarge place in the series, the chief purveyoi; being a threereel film entitled "The \Voman-hater.'' The plot can be better imagined than described; and the film is so lull of rollicking humour that it needs to be seen to be appreciated. Nothing further need be said, but as a specific for those who require the tonic of hearty laughter, the picture can be confidently recommended. "The Curse of a Name " is another comedy film, and while it must bo accorded second place to the "stAr" picture, it contains sufficient mirth to neutralise a good deal of gloom. A picture showing " How tho French Coast is Guarded" forms a most interesting subject, a*d includes viowe of hydroplane, submarines. destroyers, etc., while the view 3 themselves bavo been taken from an aeroplane. "India's Loyalty to Britain" showed some views of the swarthy warriors who have sprung to the aid of the Empire, and its screening was vigorously applauded. Tha new " Warwick Chronicle " is full of war matter, and Part 10 of "Lucille Lovo" <xmt*ins roany exciting incidents. KING EDWARD "When Thieves Fall Out" forms the principal attraction at the King Edward Theatre for the remainder of the week. This drama was screened for the first time yesterday evening, and drew a large number of patrons. Dirk Whelan is the "gentleman" thief, and Bennie Berg his right-hand man. Bennie is a rough diamond, and has an altercation with Dirk, which results in his getting punished in a boot at fisticuffs. Dirk's wile interferes, and brings news of a great quantity of valuable plate being deposited at the Grand HoteL The gang then formulates a plan by which it may get possession of the plate, and much exciting matter follows Dirk assumes the role of one of the convention ot jewellers that is to be held at tho hotel, and in due course sends in his oase of samples. In tho bottom of the case Bennie is secreted, and when tho case is safely deposited :n tho strongroom, under the inspection of tho house detective, Bennie creeps out, uses a life preserver on the detective* turns on Dirk, treats him the same, and leaves the pair looked in the strongroom. He makes his escape with the valuables, which he gets conveyed to the den of the gang. Meantime the men in the strong-room oome to their senses, and the Detective arrests Dirk and rings up the police. Dirk and his wife apparently divulge the whole plot, and a chase after Bennie and the rest follows. There is a great deal of fighting, which terminates in the gang boarding a motor boat and making a dash few liberty. They are hotly pursued by tho police in another motor boat, and are finally overhauled and arrested, both Dirk ■ Bsnnia being taken into custody. Variety is lent to tho programme by the inclusion of some humorous and other films. GRAND THEATRE. • t^lo ® ccnes '" the leading picture m the fine programme at present showing ot the Grand Theatre, continues to attract excellent patronage. Altogether the series has many commendable qualities. It will be repeated at the usual hours to-day. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. wcxc good attendances at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, when the current programme was thoroughly enjoyed. The picture which appealed most to those V s tbe foe-act drama entitled The Marked Woman," while "Tho Count's infatuation' was also appreciated. The programme will bo repeated to-day. SONG RECITAL. Musw lovers are to have an opportunity °f nearmg Mr and Mrs Firth, of Christoburch, render a song recital, interspersed with organ solos, in tho Octagon Hall, next Monday evening. Mr Ernest Firth, F.R.C.0., is organist of tho leading Metho- • dist Church in Cliristchurch, and Mrs Firth contralto vocalist) is a great favourite with Christchurch audiences. They are visiting Dunedin to assist the Ceptral Mission here Seats can be obtained at the Bristol Piano Company s premises. PERSONAL. Mr R. P. M'Cracken is acting as stationmaster at Dunedin during Mr E. Dobbie's absence on annual leave. 31r John Casey, of tho Balclutha railway rtait, has been appointed to succeod Mr Cameron a»s clerk at Waihola station, tho latter haying left to join tho artillery forces at Trentham. Chaplain-major Dutton left for Invercargill yesterdfty afternoon to confer with the bouthland Patriotic Committee, after which he will spend the week-ond at Queenstown. Miss Ethel Wingfield, of Caversham, has received notification of success in passing the Government examination for shorthnncftjjjistes. Her name appeared yesterday as Wrignfc. Miss Isabella Watt, of Dunedin, has been appointed assistant cookery instructress to Ji 1 "k Canterbury Education Board. Mr R. C. Black, whoso .death was reported the other day, was for ten years postmaster at Danrievirke, where he was highly esteemed.- The deceased, who was about 65 years of age, was an English telegraphist, and entered tho New Zealnnd Post and Telegraph Deoartment in 1812 He was recogniscd in his best days as one of tho finest telegraph receivers in tho dominion. Before being transferred to Dannevirlce he was postmaster at Greytown and Milton, and prior to his appointment as postmaster was employed in various offices throughout the dominion. Mr Black retired from the Postal Department in July, 1914, and at the time of his death was residing in Auckland. Ho is survived by a widow, two daughters, and three sons. The members of tho Masterton Clnb on Monday afternoon met to say good-bye to Mr F. 11. Elcoate, who was leaving for Oamaru. The Chief Savage (Mr C. F. Vallance) referred in glowing terma to the interest Mr Elcoato had always taken in the welfare of the club since its inception, and more particularly as musical director (reports the Wairarapa Times). Mr Elooate was presented with a tennis rsoqfnet, and Mrs Elooate with a beautiful £Sarai frSbate.