AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 79, 26 November 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

BERNARD’S PICTURES. Rain was falling fairly heavily last night, yet there was a splendid house at Bernard’s Pictures, and the new programme was, received With enthusiasm. Undoubtedly the “star picture, if that simple little drama “Me and Bill” can be so termed, was the rtory of the two little schoolboys and their sweethearts. Sixty years of life are shown in ten minutes; the boys grow up, and marry, a boy and a girl is born to them, and two more lovers plight their troth. The American Civil War, breaks in upon the tranquility of their lives with bloodshed and death. The scene changes, and the lovers’ walks give place to the battlefield, where the boy dies, fighting to the last. A hopeless grief overcomes the maiden, and an overturned punt tells its own story. Their wives dead, their children gone, “Me and Bill” are left in their old age to console each other as best they may. Gazing into the homely fire, there rises from the flames the image o’f themselves as once they were; two happy, laughing little urchins. The vision fades, and “Me and Bill” disappear from the screen, but not from the minds of those who have followed the fascinating little drama. “The Grand National Steeplechase” is splendidly presonted in a big picture, and the risual amusement was created by the riderless horse, which, like a bad penny, always turned up before the camera had commenced to take the next big jump. The “Gaumont Graphic” depicts interesting current events among which number some splendid glimpses of famous aviators. “Elephants at Work” is the title of an Indian film, showing the big animals carting kgs in the jungle. “A Walk in the 1 oultry Farm” presents scenes familiar enough to many, but certainly interesting to all. In addition there are several fine dramas, and some exceptionally good comics, notable for their cleverness and originality.

THE GEISHA. It is hardly necessary to remind theatre-goers of the performance to he given in the Town Hall, Stratford, tomorrow by the New Plymouth Operatic Society. That the public is looking forward with great expectation to the production of the popular musical comedy is evidenced by the exceptionally heavy booking, and it is safe to predict a most successful season from every point of view. The principals are splendidly suited to their parts, and will do full justice to the wellknown numbers of their parts, and, besides a full chorus of 80 voices, there will be an orchestra of 20 members. A ballet has been introduced, and tin's is bound to be one of the most popular items of the performance. Following on the Society’s production of “.Dorothy,” which scored a huge success in Stratford, “The Geisha” has, in order to uphold the reputation thus gained, to be of special merit, and the public will have an opportunity of judging the latter piece, which they will find right up to the standard set by the New Plymouth Operatics. The scenery, which has been specially painted by Mr A. M. Bradbury, is gorgeous. The performance will commence at 7.-15 p.m. sharp. The Society have chartered a special train to leave New Plymouth at *5.‘15 p.m. (stopping at intermediate staFons), and will return after the performance. Day sales and box plan are at Grubb’s.