EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17328, 30 May 1918, Page 8

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

Holiday audiences were attracted to Everybody's Theatre yesterday, and the new programme offered to the public was received with cordial approval.' Heading the series is a Pa'the drama entitled "The Fires of Youth," the principal character in which is Peter Pemberton, the iron-hearted and implacable owner of an immense steel corporation. His whole life has been devoted to the pursuit of wealth, ;uid has sacrificed his employees' lives rather than incur the expense involved' by the installation of safety devices. Now, as a middle-aged man, he decides to enjoy life, but he finds he has forgotten how to do so until an urchin selling papers in the street removes the scales from his eyes. The parental love which had remained latent in Pemberton's heart all through the years is now awakened, and in order to have more of Billy's companv he obtains work in his own steel mills as Peter Brown. One day he does not go to and to save him from being dismissed Billv takes his pla-cc. Whilo doing Brown's work the boy is injured by a furnace exploding through the lack of safety devices, and Billy is so badly burned bv molten metal that he is not expected to live. Thus Pemberton, as Brown, with a signed order for safetv equipment in his pocket, sees his little chum brought home. The employees are so incensed by this last accident that they swear to kill Pemberton, and he, still posing as Brown, manages to arrange the drawing of lots so that he receives the marked card. The story is powerfullv told, and alt times the interest of the spectators rises to a hitrh pitch of intensity, while the acting of Frederick Warde in the leading role is masterly The supports include the final chapter of the ..wS » seri:il and a three-reel j ratty Arbuckle oomedy. •