AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 25, 23 September 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"WHO'S WILLIAM?"

SrRATFQRD TO-MOIUtO vV

Reporting on the performance at \V,v i'iymouth lass v.euk, uio larauaki "Aews" says: "It to Jaugh really means to grow lat, peupio suffering irom undue ouosity ougnt ro.diy to re.r.uii ironi visiting uiu wjKeuiun.saole company Ibsd ajvorse iming Demi onem. . • • "Who's William ls one of those irresistible iarce-come-dies xrhi.cn has no earthly reason 101 as existence. It is unbiusuingly impuranono in its hilarity, and it sits down and mocks the audience \»itn a rrunk irresponsibility that compels admiration, it 'tickles far more ribs than Adam could well afford, to spare in his manufacture oh a miscellaneous collection of Eves, and for tins saving grace it earns unqualilied appiec.uuibn. Of course, it lias no plot, aug oven when the linal curtain falls nobody is quite safe who William really is. He may bo the missing link or ait Alan with the Iron .Mask, or the fourth protoplasm from the tenth book of Euclid, as far as the audience is concerned, but this is immaterial in view of the fact that the following of bis adventures is the cutting of a vv.de swath in the field of laughter. Thore are times when a jaded community really requires a dose of pure hilarity, and "William" in this -respect is a physician who really earns more than Dlie tribute of a guinea verse among the quack advertisements. '1 here is no need to chase the plot of this hilarious comedy for it would w but a futile task to try and tree it, even "among the pictures." It would, in fact, be as easy to catch the theme by its tale as fit wtjukl bo for uxj kitten to get a imihgtethold on its-hwii tail, it is sufficie^' ( it professes :to make 1 jiud' that it justifies its profession. ~»lt-is'. long since we have ■>»ad such a delightful merry-maker in our midst." This clever combination of artists should bo rewarded with a crowded house. The box plan is open at Mr. Umbo's Music Depot.

J. 0. WILLIAMSON, [PANTOMIME

"SINBAD THE SAILOR." ' ' i ! .- i '. i•' On Saturday next, ' September 23, die annual pantomime season of J. U. William-son, Ltd., will- bo inaugurated at the 'iWn Hall, ' Stratford, at a quarter to 8, and will no doubt prove a welcome event to lovers of that popular form of entertainment. "Sinoad the Sailor" is credited with being one of the most brilliant of the long list of gorgeous extravaganzas presented by this management, and its production necessitates the employment ol the largest company that lias ever toured New Zealand. The cast includes several new English and Continental artists, notably Mr. Pip Powell, Miss Iflorence Imeson, Miss Nell Finnis, Messrs. Charles- Howard, Drew and Alders, Mr. 0. B. Lonnon, the Sieodes, Fred. Winn; and many leading Australian favourites. The novel offects are as usual very strong features, and include Mr. Geo. ICirby's "Flying Ballet," in which the fairies soar into the air, and fly right out into the auditorium, scattering flowers to all around and beneath them. The Valley of Diamonds, the Cascade of Jewels, and the gorgeous Rose Ballet are projninent among the long ; list of glories which go to make up the dazzling surroundings of the laugh-makers and Sinbad'e merry crew.

The pantomime is this yoar exceptionally rich in fine scenic offects and' spectacular display. There are 22 scenes, some of which are especially beautiful. The Cascade of Jewels, the Mysterious Homo of the Soi'pent, The Diamond Valley, the beautiful Persian Garden, the Bazaar at Balsora,. and the magnificent scene that crowns the production of the Wedding Party of Hiubad in Lollipop Land, ore all, it is said, creations of surpassing loveliness and gorgeous productions of the scene painters' art. The music lias been specially composed by Andrew McCanfl, and is -spoken of as being rarely fino and exceptional for this class of entertainment. There are 136 people appearing on the stage at me time or another in Sinbad the Sailor, •vhicb comes with the flattering reputation of being the most successful of dl previous productions. Another big feature is "The Mysterious Hotel," by the famous Sleede tropa. The box'plan will be opened at Gruhb's on Wednesday next, September 25th. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Tho current programme was repeated nn Saturday night for the Inst time before a large and appreciative audience. Tho programme presented was interesting as we]] as instructive, andcontained a variey of scenic, dramatic, educational, and comic subjects of a high order of merit. Tho comic element was well sustained by some excellent films, which kept the aurlionce in the best of good humour. Tonight the usual big'chango will take "lace, and ".ill he continued nn Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The new programme comprises the usual wellchosen selection of subjects, all tastes being catered for. T'Mii'iV the new programme in ! >o screened at His Majesty's is Pronounced to be the limit of perfection, the pi"tnv»", are of tho latest, aid absolutely flickerless, notablv the greatep.t of Lulun dramas, "Honour and Hie Sword." Its theme'dees not r>nss«ss any impossible or freak'sh situations, being a glorification of chivalry find honour, and sums nn the sentiment expressed in the film a "While of love and ladies' charms <dvo place to honour and to arms." Tho duel scene is intensely exciting.

War dramas seem to enjoy a perennial popalaritv, and this is not to be wondered at" when films like "For We Causa of the South" are released. This picture deals with the American Civil VVa:-, "when mother took up arms against brother, and father went- to light son, all for 'the cause' " The sentiment which runs throughout n is of a very inspiring character, and the story unfolded is pathetically bu beautifully told. The battle scenes are almost too realistic for the tendei susceptibilities of the impressionable members of the audience. In a word, :i triumph of kinematography. "The Old Actor" is a film with a more modern setting, but none the less interesting, featuring, as it does, that star actress, Miss Mary Fickford. The programme also includes interesting scenic and industrial subjects. Tho "Gaumont Graphic" shows glimpses of public happenings in many lands, and the whole entertainment is rounded off with tho pick of American comics.