ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17965, 5 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND THEATRE, FLORENCE LA BADIE IN “THE PILLORY." Emotion is the keynote of the fine Pathe Gold Rooster play "The Pillory,” which is announced tor screening to-day at The Grand. Florence La Baclle, who is assigned the leading role, is splendid as the girlish heroine. The love story running through Is sweet, and there is a succession of fine dramatic scenes, the court and prison interiors being quite unique, and there is also a peep at an under-world restaurant which has been photographed from the genuine article. The plot runs thus; —In a small country town there lives a nameless girl who is cared for by tier aunt, who treats her harshly, condemning her for the sin of her mother. With her aunt’s death, she is driven from home by the housekeeper, a straight-laced, hatchet-faced woman, whose business is spoiling the pleasure of others. The girl gets into bad company in the city, and is the victim of a frame-up, which brings her to court. Her accuser, the real guilty lady, breaks down, when questioned by the judge's wife, and confesses the other's innocence. The judge's wife learns that the girl is her own daughter and adopts her. With the announcement of her engagement, the hatchet-faced one from the country comes to town and tells the judge and all the guests, the real truth about his wife and her illegitimate daughter. A separation comes, and mother and child, go into the slums to work for the poor. The judge refuses to forgive his wife until he learns that she has been mortally wounded by a stray shot. The daughter marries and goes on doing settlement work. The supports ore a good lot, comprising a late "Topical Gazette,” “Making Casks,” education; "Picturesque Catalonia," scenic, and a sparkling Vim comedy, "A Pair of Skins.” . .

ALBION HAYWARDS. “THE SOCIAL SECRETARY,” A particularly fine film production will open at the up-to-date Albion Theatre this afternoon at 2 o'clock. It is a Triangle success featuring Norma Talmadge, one of the handsomest of screen favourites in "The Social Secretary,” a powerful play in 5 acts. “The Secretary,” who is a beautiful young woman who has to earn her living, and is annoyed by the unwelcome attentions of every man for whom she works, adopts the disguise so that no one would suspect her of being beautiful. However, she is discovered In all her pretty things by her employer’s son, and the plot immediately begins to thicken. Gladden James is one of the younger Triangle stars, and in this play is most effective and full of attractiveness. Also a great Keystone comedy entitled ’’She Loved a Sailor" full of laughs and thrills, supported by the latest Bathe, combine to make up a really first-class programme which is sure to attract large audiences.

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. ‘OLGA PETROVA.” An exceptionally strong programme of infinite charm and variety has been procured for the following three days and nights. The principal feature is a remarkable Metro production, "The Soul Market,” with Madame Oiga Petrova, the peerless Russian actress, in the leading role. The name of Metro stands for quality and strength, as we have often had occasion to remark. The outstanding feature of “The Soul Market" is the splendid acting of Olga Petrova. Never has she been seen to better advantage than as the Broadway star, whose life is for a time made miserable by the heads of the financial trust who are running the play in which she appears. “The Soul Market” is good, clean, wholesome drama, magnificently staged and acted, and containing, especially as it nears its end, a most exciting motor chase which ends in catastrophe. This latter incident, by the way, turns out to be part of a dream, but we do not learn this till the climax is almost reached, when the truth is very neatly disclosed. Olga Petrova wears a multitude of beautiful gowns and wraps in the course of tho play, such as will bring joy to the hearts of feminine patrons. Excellent supporting items have been selected, including the exceedingly clever cartoon,

"What London Saw,” showing by England’s cleverest artist the great Zeppelin raid on London, and the bringing down of the Zepps, on September 3rd, 1916, nt 2.1S a-m. The netting of a submarine is shown, then scenes of London and the Thames, before and after the first appearance of the Zepps, the searchlights on the high aircraft, the marvellous dive by the intrepid Lieut. Robinson. V.C., and the collapse of the Zeppelins. No. 10 of the Metro Travelog continues the voyage from' Suva to Honolulu, the garden of the Pacific, and contains views of the surf riders on Wairikiki Beach. Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew appear in their cleverest and brightest comedy, "Gravy,” which Is a little broader than usual and contains plenty of laughs. Packed houses are assured. , SHLINSKY—AMADIO. The Sellnsky-Amadlo Company of artists will give a farewell concert in the Municipal Theatre to-morrow evening. While In Auckland recently, this fine combination had the satisfaction of appearing before large and enthusiastic audiences. The New Zealand Herald says : “Enthusiasm ran high at the Town Hall Concert Chamber when the Selinsky-Amadio combination of artists continued their highly successful season. The programme submitted contained many masterpieces of musical literature, and the audience frequently gave way to unrestrained admiration at the close of some particularly arresting performance.” Commenting on M. Belinsky's performance of Tschaikowsky’s violin Concerto in D. the same paper remarks : “The performance of this number was in many respects memorable. Each har and phrase was brimful of the virility and personality of the gifted exponent.” Mr .John Amadio’s brilliant playing on the flute was also singled out for favourable mention, the exceptional ability of this fine artist being rarely equalled on the instrument of his choice. The supporting artists a, re Miss Elsy Treweek, and Miss Jessie Masson, soprano and pianist respectively, two performers already well known as being possessed of more than average talent. The Plan is at the Bristol.