AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 38, 9 February 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

One can judge by genuine applause whether an audience is satisfied u*t.i u-Tit thev see for their money, and the 1 assemblage at Bernard’s Pictures at last night’s change of programme must S ha re been more than for every item received its big e. foe star drama, entitled luc down’s Best Performance, is undoubtedly one of the best, the scene opens in a huge circus ring, w bei e a lady is performing a hurricane riding Vt The clowns enter in their usual comedy business. Amongst the audiorce is a small excited boy uitli his parents, who is so wrapped up m the antics of the chief clown that after the show is over lie wants to go back and is very unwilling to go home. The boy in his every spare moment at home paints and dresses himself up as near, as possible to the on-o-inal mummer, and attempts to go through the various acts of the joaer. Some three months elapse and the boj is stricken with illness. Doctors are sent for, but fail to do any good. They watch his delirious movements, and the father at once secs ho wanes the clown. So the parent decides to find out where the clown resides, ana ask him if he would favour him by dress'ng up and coming to the dying boy’s bedside. The clown consents, and on arrival at the sick chamber he is instantly recognised by tire boy, who, after recovering his memory, takes his medicine from the clown, who watches at the bedside with tiie pales,its until ‘the lad is on the road to recovery. Ihe parents arc profuse in their tlianks, and hold that it was tire clown’s best performance. Another drama, entitled “When the Sun Went Out,’’ is a very fine exciting Indian photo play, showing Die trials and troubles of the early Western American settlers and the Indians’ superstitions of the total eclipse of the sun. • “Preparations for War in Tripoli is a film which one should not miss, starting from the coaling cf the huge Italian warships, taking in provisions, ammunition, etc., clearing for action, in action. “Fun in a Bear Pit” is worthy of big attention, as the various animals in their captivity sporting themselves in front of the camera makes one think they are in their natural abode. The programme will be repeated this evening, when there should be another large attendance.

“THE SPECKLED BAND.” “Sir Conan Doyle is said to be the King of Mystery Writers,” says an English critic, “and, after witnessing “The Speckled Band,” a dramatisation of one of his Sherlock Holmes series, you feel disposed to admit it. This latest London success is full of original ideas, and holds its audience breathlessly intent from curtain rise to curtain fall. The characters,are actually drawn from life, and the incidents are of everyday occurrence in different parts of the world.” “The Speckled Band” is to have its first and only performance in the Eltham Town Hall to-morrow night, when it will be interpreted by a remarkably fine combination of dramatic stars, personally selected by Mr. J. C. Williamson, to portray the various distinct types of characters created by the author from the best available English, American and Australian artists, including Mr. William Desmond, the brilliant young American actor, who made such a. favourable impression when he was last in New Zealand as equal star with Miss Katherine Grey. Miss Dorothy Dix, an accomplished and beautiful English actress from the Lyric and principal London theatres, who will be making her first appearance in New Zealand, and Mr. Gaston Mervale, one of the best character exponents in the dramatic world, who has been specially retained to appear in his original character of Dr. Rylot. Other particular prominent people will be cast in suitable roles, and the general ensemble promises to equal any dramatic attraction yet presented by that firm. No doubt many Stratford" people will make the short journey to witness the performances, and the advisability of booking seats will commend itself. The box plan is at H. G. Carman’s, Eltham.