ENTERTAINMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 17966, 6 March 1917, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

rOPtILAK PICTURE PALACE. The theatre was filled at an early hour last night by the admirers of peerless Olga Petrova, who were anxious to see her in her latest and greatest play "The Soul Market." Th • picture is beautifully produced, and the story is a powerful one, hut hanoled with such rare delicacy by Olga Petrova, and an outstanding support, that the result is a clean, wholesome and delightful romance that concludes with a great surprise, which is a delight to everyone. The supporting pictures are all on the grand scale, but special mention should be made of the beautiful Metro Travelog, which transports the. spectator to Suva, Hawaii and Honolulu. "What London Saw" is a remarkably clever cartoon depicting the great Zeppelin raid on London in September last, and the daring flight of Lieut. Robinson, V.C., who brought down one of the Zepps. The Mctro-Drew comedy, "Gravy." provides hearty laughter and concludes a programme of exceptional merit, which is sure to attract further large audiences. THE GRAND THEATRE. "THE PILLORY.” Most ingenious use is made of Scriptural texts in "The Pillory" now being screened at The Grand Theatre. A grimly humorous character in this fine Pathe. Gold Rooster production is old Deborah, the companion of the heroine’s pious aunt. Her face is as hard and merciless as her heart, and she'always finds support for her uncharitable deeds in texts from Scripture. When she finds that the heroine has been adopted by her real mother, now endeavouring by good deeds to atone for her one sin, Deborah looks up a text: "The time of the wicked is short, and the Joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment." The unrelenting old woman finds a reception in full progress, and, with dramatic swiftness, climbs to the gallery and screams the whole story of the hostess’s past to the assembled guests. It Is from this incident that the title is drawn, the judge’s wife thus being placed in the cruel "social pillory.” Florence La Badie is splendid as the girlish heroine. The love story running through is sweet, and there is a succession of fine dramatic scenes. The he-roine is offset by Meg Doherty, a girl crook whose part in the story fallows with great naturalness. The court and prison scenes ane quite unique, and there is also a peep at an under-world restaurant which must have been photographed from the genuine article. A most interesting number of pictures were shown in addition, comprising a fine "Topical Budget” of up-to-date war items, a rare good comedy, "Pair of Skins,” which evoked heartiest laughter, and an educational study, "Cask Making.” ALBION HAYWARD’S. “THE SOCIAL SECRETARY." The main feature of the hill presented at the Albion Theatre last night to a crowded house was "The Social Secretary,” a Triangle film featuring Miss Norma Talmadge. The picture is one that should achieve great success, as it relates a pleasant story in which the doings of the inevitable villain are not sufficiently serious to produce much gloom. In the leading role. Miss Talmadge is superb, as ail who have seen her upon the screen will realise, no part could be better suited to this accomplished artist than that of the girl who is too pretty to earn her living as a typiste. The spectator can almost pity the unfortunate employers from whose attentions the heroine takes flight, so excusable is their susceptibility to her charms. Playing opposite to Miss Talmadge is Gladden James, who makes a big success of his part. His little midnight escapades in which angels are pro. minent, appeals strongly to one’s sense of humour, while his marriage with the most delightful of heroines is sufficient to convince, the average man of his taste and discrimination. Of the supporting numbers, the best is the comedy, “She Loved a Sailor.” In this production, a lot of genuine fun is extracted from an alleged invention by which the dramatis personae are enabled to walk with ease upon the ocean. Some of the incidents pictured are ludicrous in the extreme, and include a rescue from drowning effected by stretcher-bearers who wear the great J. Treadwell’s water boot. Patrons of the Albion during the week can rest assured of seeing a generally enjoyable bill. SELINSKY-AMADIO CONCERT, A farewell concert will be given in the Municipal Theatre this evening by the Selinsky-Amadio Company, which includes : M. Selinsky, a well-known Russian violinist: Mr John Amadio, an eminent flautist: Miss Jessie Masson, pianist; and Miss Elsy Treweek. This coterie of artists have already established themselves :n the esteem of the public by the merit of their performances. The ’ programme arranged for this evening is one of rare quality. M. Selinsky will play Grieg's Sonata in C Minor; “Melancolique,” a Tschaikowsky number; “Joy Love” (Kreisler), and R. A. Hornes "Romance.” Mr John Amadio will play "Rhapsodic, Pastorale Hongroise” (Doppler), and "Spring,” a brilliant Morceau de Concert by Terschak. Miss Elsy Treweek will sing Verdi's "Ah fors e lui" and “Chant Hindu.". Miss Jessie Masson will play Chopin’s “Drum Polonaise" and Rachmaninoff’s "Prelude in C Sharp Minor." Brahms's trio for piano, violin, and flute, "Hungarian Dance," is also included. The concert given by this company in Christchurch last Saturday evening was attended by her Excellency the I'ountcss of Liverpool and party. Seats may be booked at the Bristol,