ENTERTAINMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 14632, 24 January 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PULLER'S PICTURES. . The programme of pictures which was shown for the first time at the Zealandia Hall last night is one of particular merit, and drew enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of each item from the large audience which, was present. A. feature of the programme is Its variety. “Palermo and its Monuments" is a beautifully tinted series of views. The beauty and grandeur of the monumental art of the Sicilian citv make a strong appeal to even the most commercial-minded, and one cannot but reaiise how poorly Xew Zealand cities compare with others which have been designed by people whom some of us sometimes contemptuously regard as our inferiors. "Napa Torriano or The Cage of Infamy” is another fine film, and the exquisite cruelty which Is pictured might justifiably be described as being brutally realistic. "How She Won Him” reveals a charming little plot of a young girl, aided by a sympathetic L'ncie, to conquer the pride of her lover who refuses to marry her on account of fils poverty. “Guides to Italian Carairy” shows the remarkably fine horsemanship of Italian cavalrymen, indeed some of the clever riding and driving makes the onlooker at times imagine that expert circus performers are the subjects of the film. “Lest We Forget” Is a powerfully dramatic picture which strikingly contrasts the attention and lavish expenditure which is bestowed on a rich man's child and the misery and utter wretchedness that is endured by the child of a poor widow, who herself, In her helplessness to cuter for the wants of her loved one. at once compels intense sympathy. That a child, whether' rich or poor, is invariably a true daughter of Eve is touchingly exemplified in the hanging-up of a slocking and the 'wish expressed by each to Santa Claus. A' realistic dream in which a doi! 'plays the principal part is also a stinking feature of this splendid film “Pathe’s Gazette. Xo, S5” chronicles all the latest events, and in one scene the late Count Leo Tolstoy appears. The King of Italy and the boy scouts, suffragette riots. American men o’ war. a terrible tempest. Mahomet V. and the Turkish fleet, the Seine in Hood, the King’s cattle, an Association football match, and a mansion destroyed by fire are also interesting items in the “Gazette.” "The .Man Who Learned' will be voted by many as being the best of the series, and it certainly would have been of great assistance to Mr Robert McXab if he had had the use of it when his proposer! dairy regulations caused such a tumult among dairy farmers. It depicts the insanitary methods adhered to by a dairy farmer until his criminal neglect is forcibly boomeranged on to him when his grandchild is taken seriously ill owing to having been fed with impure milk. The transformation which he afterwards effects in his methods of dealing with milk had better be scon to bo thoroughly appreciated. “CutGo Fish at Homo” is an interesting study of tli esc somewhat repulsive-looking fish. The ejection of a black lluid. which has til e eff.-ct of clouding the water, ■when an enemy is nigh, is one feature which attracts particularly the attention of the onlooker. “Winona’ is one of the Red Indian series in which a maiden aad the trapper lover art; tlio central figures. An escape, it pursuit, a deadly combat, ami a happy ending till combine I" pleas.- those who delight in romantic stories of this description. The humorous films are all hrst-rate. “The Gold Necklace" is aptly described as a delightful comedy of errors ; "Wait Til! I Catch Vott” is an excru tiatingly funny story of an elusive pupil and a persistent schoolmaster, and that old favourite "Foolsht ad” appears in a new role which allows hint to fool to his hearts content. •The programme will be repeated Utis livening, and is well worth a visit. “THE WIGHT OP THE PARTY. Mr George Willoughby and his comedy company were accorded a good reception at the .Municipal Theatre last night, when they produced. for one nignt only, the farcical comedy, entitled •'Tbe Night of the Party.” Tito theatre a as crowded, and lit ere is no doubt that the Clarke and Meyttell management wen into popular favour with the Invercargill public by giving tut opportunity of weeing .Mr Weedon Grossmith’s three acts of hilarious funmaking. Many of the pre-etti company tire new to local audiences, bill Mr Wdlbmgiiby and -Miss lie;'l rice 1 my at " established favorites and are always tur.- of a cordial welcome. Their association with other com ini n i--■: is still gratefully relltettib- red by hundred « who hate enjoyed many delightful evenings of hearty laughter. The present company is a remarkably strong one, cotnpri ing a" body of actors and actresses who carry off the various situations With a degree of snap and vivacity that Is wholly satisfactory. It is with their work rather than with the nature of the play, that this notice need be chielly concerned, since the company will appear to-night in a different production. Tli‘- "party” which made a particular “night” memorable, and which led to such a bewilderment of absurd complications, was a servants’ party,- and Mr Grossmitli’s creation reveals a shrewdly humorous sketch of ’igh life In the servants’ ’all. Tile delicate satire of it all is no isss appealing than the broad caricature and farcical absurdity are boisterously laughable. As Croslde, the calmly Imperturbable valet of Frank Frayne, who rents a Hat where he lives

in comfortable bachelor freedom, Mr Fred. B. Sharp was entirely satisfactory. The part of Frayne was taken by Mr Hugh C. Buckler, and the innumerable situations where those two were called upon to unravel some entanglement, or to escape temporary embarrassment by subterfuge that landed them into even more awkward predicaments, gave opportunities which were turned to the best account in the realisation of genuine comedy. When Crosbie gave bis parly he showed a proper appreciation of the degrees in the social scale of his guests, ami the haughty, sellsutficiont bearing of Flambcrt, butler to Hie Duke of Hungerford, was a source of delight to the audience. Mr George Willoughby's portrayal of the consciously superior Flamberl (“Chesty” his envious servitorial colleagues called him) was exceedingly clever, and was worthy of his reputation us a comedian of the highest ran!-;. Ollier delightful people in the party Were Pauline. the parlour-maid (.Miss Amy Willard), whose evening dress —feathers in her hair and the proper tiling in hobble skirts —was a triumph in make-up: Gipsy Var.dclier (Miss Beatrice Day), irresponsibly gay and full of worldly wisdom; Bogle (Mr Hurry Halley). the hall-porter, bibulous and richly coloured in consequence: and the exquisite Roudle (Mr Leopold Slach), footman to Lord Ralston. Roudle was most weightily rebuked by Mr Flambert for his unpardonable bread! of servitorial etiquette in appearing at the jmrty in livery, though he explained that he was due to "pick up” at one-thirty. It was when Mr Frayne unexpectedly returned to his flat, to the confusion of the party, who concealed themselves beneath various portions of the furniture, and Lady Hampshire, his indiscreet, though charming friend, paid him an untimely visit shortly afterwards, that one of the most laughable situations of the first act culminated. Miss Agness Keogh sustained the part of Lady Hampshire with effective charm. In the second and third acts the complications for which the first act was responsible provided plenty of material for unrestrained laughter. The wooing of Alderman Hargen (Mr Harry Overton) by Gipsy Vanddier was a splendid piece of acting, in which Miss Day and Mr Overton were eminently successful, and the sentimental advances between Crosbie (masquerading :, s Frayne). and Mrs Young i .Miss Nellie Mortync) were also a laughable feature. Mr Arthur Cornell, as Lord Hampshire, played up to the luuporous misunderstandings in which lie was concerned in the second and third acts, with entire success. Tito whole comedy-farce was presented with a lively appreciation of its possibilities, and the large audience signified its approval of the efforts of the company in a way that promises well for the reception to be given to tiie second and final production of the season tit is evening, “MR PREEDIT AND THE COUNTESS. To-night Mr Willoughby’s company will present the farce-comedy. "Mr Prcedy and the Countess.” Mr Preedy, formerly a shopman, has become a partner in the Bounsall Emporium. Bounsell lias planned an elopement with Joanna, Countess of Rushmerc, whose second husband, Hon. Robert .Tennerway, lias cleared out with a dancing girl. When the Countess gets her divorce she is to marry Bounsall. Under this charming arrangement, Bounsall hands the Countess over lo his partner for safe keeping, promising to return next day and relieve the mild-mannered Preedy of his compromising charge. Preedy leaves the flat to the Countess, and goes off to find repose in an hotel. Preedy is engaged to one Emma Sidgrave, who is vainly wooed by Reginald Saunders, a surgeon-dentist. Saunders watches Preedy’s quarters, feeling certain that liis rival in the affections of Emma is leading a profligate life. The arrival of the Countess confirms the dentists’ suspicions, and he rushes off with a scandalous story to Emma’s parents. Preedy’s longue is tied by his promise of silence to his partner, and all sorts of embarrassing complications ensue. When matters are straightened out in the last act there is a reconciliation between the Countess and her repentant husband. Bounsall is unmasked and denounced, and Preedy, with his character cleared, is restored to the good graces of Emma Sidgrave. The Countess accepts an invitation to the wedding of Mr Preedy and tite lady lo whom lie lias been true in thought, word, and deed.