UNIVERSAL PICTURES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 26, 5 April 1918, Page 2

UNIVERSAL PICTURES.

There was a large attendance at the Town Hall on Saturday evening when the picturisation of “The Pretenders” formed the star attraction. This proved to be an unusually bright, attractive, and strong drama in which the charming little Emmy Wehlen again proved her power to hold her audience by her wonderful acting. The supporting pictures were all of a high order, covering a range of scenic, educative, and comedy subjects.

On the evening of Easter Monday the sitting accommodation of the hall was taxed to its utmost, and the large audience were treated to an exceptionally good bill-of-fare. The advertised programme, through some mischance, did not come to hand in time and another had to be substituted at the eleventh hour, but the audience lost nothing by the change. Something out of the ordinary run of dramas was provided in “Lady Barnacle,”- which formed the star .item. It is correctly described as a “wonder play,” and in following the theme of the story the audience is shown many phases of Eastern life and the dangers that beset the path of the unwary. Chief interest is centred round an East Indian beauty, who, having been rescued by a wealthy young American, promptly considers herself his slave—much to his embarrassment, as she clings to him’“like a barnacle.” She suddenly disappears, however, and the youth—now unable to produce her—faces the savagery of Eastern vengeance. She turns up, of course at the last moment, and the concluding scene forms a strangely powerful climax.