AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 251, 23 April 1912, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

" EVERYWOMAN." "Everywoman" was managerially announced as "a morality play," probably for Hi? faux- 'ommercial reasons as induced Rahab to entertain the two spies. Whether this was wise or not, from a business point of view, is open to argument, for the theatre-going public are apt to shy at anything that is announeedly instructive and virtuous. As a matter of fact, though, "Everywoman* is as much like the old-time morality play as it is like a Zulu kraal. It is a daring experiment in stage-craft, which, however, carries its own justification. Morality and modernity are in no sense synonymous terms, but "Everywoman" is so frankly virtuous, both in its theme and in its presentation, that any weljbehaved child might comfortably talio her grandmother to witness it without fear of shocking the old lady's sensibilities. Archaic in form, and somewhat ponderous in its phraseology, the play has many obvious merits. It bristles with anachronisms and glares with crudities; but the frankness of its spirit condones any criticism along these lines. Constructively, it is a unique production, and it must be admitted that despite its frank elaboration of the virtues it is caviare to the multitude. Its very simplicity of righteousness compels suspicion, for in a world which now-a-days regards "the quest of the golden girl" as a purely commercial proposition, Truth and Love and Modesty are, unfortunately, more or less negligible quantities. It is this simplicity that gives to this daring stage production the undoubted vogue that it has won. There is an old story that tells how a confirmed toper surprised his stomach by drinking pure water; and "Everywoman" must have provided a very similar experience for the jaded theatrical palate. It is a play that should not be missed, but that should never be gone to twice, for its obtrusive morality would probably defeat its own ends if unduly pressed. Its moral is, of course, that twice two make four, and it does not hesitate to make this mathematical proposition abundantly demonstrated. There are times when it would be almost melodramatic, were it not so surely truthful, and it deals with the primitive passions and the primitive virtues with a surety of touch that is essentially human and essentially convincing. The old-fashioned morality play had no scenic attributes, but apparently the new one must be played with Louis Quinze furniture and electric lights. There are occasions when this would be an abominable anachronism but where "Every wrtman" is concerned it is forgiveable for the very frankness of the play. It is full of crudities and constructive naughtinesses, but it reaches out for its ultimate triumphant goal of an emphatic justification of all the virtues with such a deliberate trampling upon intermediate obstacles that it cannot be denied. So much for the play. With regard to its production, it must be admitted that, outside the principals, it was hardly up to the standard with which one is wont to associate the J C Williamson productions. The honors of the piece lay with Mr. William Desmond who in a somewhat thankless part as Tri°, was rea!, - v oxcel 'ent. Miss Hilda Spong, in the title-role, was not convincing. Her acting was spirited but unsubtle, and while she was all grace and daintiness she lacked the necessary temperament to make her performance truly appealing. Miss Rene Gold as Conscience, and Miss Enid Bennett as Modesty, were responsible for two sterling presentations, and of the others, in a long cast, Misses Dorothy Cummin# and Lmma Temple, and Messrs. John Ralston, Herbert Leigh and George Miller stood out with capable performances, lne mounting was indifferent, and tho orchestra, while excellent in parts, lacked eohesiveness. EMPIRE PICTURES. There was again a large attendance at the Empire Picture Palace last night when the star attraction was the presentation of an elaborate film "depicting" the immortal story of "Romeo and Juliet. The Shakespearian tragedy wh.ch grows younger with the years, sim- , ply on account of its pure 'humanity, lends itself specially to pictorial representation, and is all the more welcome to picture patrons because 90 per cent. win are .. al [. ead y thoroughly familiar with the pathetic story of the two youni? lovers of Verona. Additional interest attaches to the picture from the fact that the pictures were actually taken ""J I'® 1 '® Ifci ; Il »" eit y where the Montagues and Capulets are supposed to have lived. This delightful film will be shown for the last time to-night. The "star" picture was supported by an excellent programme of diversified films, among the most attractive of which were a dramatic seena entitled "The Judge's btory a sensational and pathetic presentation of Her Brother's Photograph " w^VT am , ing,y farcical in 7 ~l'af a Ri val." The same programme will be presented to-night. GOOD TEMPLARS. taHL a ?)S. ent i i , t ', ed Great HumaniTpmnU? wll r be fi lven at the Good Templar Hall to-morrow evening. The Mr - A " Thomson, of Wellington (Grand Counsellor to the SndT + Templars i n New ZeaThe lecture will be interspersed with a programme of vocal and instromental music. The chair will be taken at 8 o clock by Mr. H. Okey, M.P.