ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17738, 25 August 1914, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE LYCEUM. Bull measure of justice was done to the new programme produced at the Lyceum theatre last evening, tlie large audience making its approval manifest in frequent bursts of applause. There was a good deal of variety about (tie series which included dramas, comedies, scenic ami topical studies having some bearing upon (lie war. Among (he Ja.tter was a series of views of the departure of the first troop ships leaving Wellington, and the views are of exceptionally fine quality. The Gaumont Graphic includes a series of pictorial accounts of events of importance in the Old World while (lie programme is further enhanced hy the presence of a number of laughable comedies. The outstanding feature, however, is a drama by (lie famous Players Company, entitled “Hearts Adrift,” in which Mary Piokford plays the leading role. Nina, a twelve-year-old Spanish girl, is the sole survivor of a shipwreck, off one of the .South Sea islands, and is tossed by the waves upon the beach. Some years later a wealthy couple, the Grahams. are also shipwrecked near this, island. in tlie excitement, husband and wife are separated, and cacti fears the other lias been lost. 51 rs Graham is put into a boat and her rescue effected, but. her husband is washed ashore on the desolate island. Nina discovers his bodv on tlie beach, hardly knows what the strange creature is, and seeing, him move, timidly runs away. Every night while Graham sleeps Nina brings him food, which lie finds in the morning. One night, puzzled by the strange, and regular supply of food, Graham pretends to he asleep and catches Nina. She escapes and flees from him. but later observes that he appears friendly, and finally permits his approach. One night, in fear of a terrible thunderstorm, Nina runs to Graham's cave for refuge and tie shields her from Ihe storm, Realising that their lives cannot continue in this manner, Graham tells Nina they must "marry” and lie performs au impromptu marriage ceremony, making her repeat the formula of the recital after him. For a while Graham is a hit resourceful, for his wife's image comas between him and Nina. However, lie is eventually forgetful of her. and happy in his love for Nina and their baby. Nina is supremely happy, but one day a boat comes to the lonely island. In it is Graham’s wife, still persevering in a heart -breaking search for her husband. The closing scenes in the story are best told by the picture. ...