ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS," ami "A SCRAPE 0' THE PEN. 1 ' At the Theatre Royal this evening 11. and Mrs. Graham Moffat and a company of Scottish Players make their first appearance in New Plymouth. The Sydney Sun sas: —'"Bunty' is the same type of comedy as was 'Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch' from America, and 'On Our Selection' in Australia. The first merit of such comedies is in their absolute fidelity to life; and being life-like the characters necessarily must be human, and must command hunian sympathy. It is a wonder that such a dramatic experiment was not made before with a Scotch setting, for the kailyard has been diligently exploited by novelists. The dramatization of Barrio's 'Little Minister,' which was a romance as much as as a comedy of manners, did not fill the gap. 'Bunty' does. Unlike much popular Irish comedy, it is not tradition, not stagey, not canny; serious Scots come straight from mankind, not from some older theatrical model." Tomorrow evening will sec still another new production, Mr. Graham Moffat's new comedy of Scotch farm life, "'A Scrape o' the Pen," with Mr. and Mrs. Moffat in their original parts from the Comedy Theatre, Loudon. The "Bunty" Co. has been considerably augmented lo produce "A Scrape o' the Pen" on the same scale as characterised the London production. The box plans for the- two nights' season are at Hoffmann's.

UMPIRE PICTURES. . A fine representation of Hugh Conway's great novel, ''Called Back," features on the new selection of pictures shown at the Empire Pictures on Saturday. The picture is 3000 feet in length. The play is produced by the famous London Film Company. TMie plot deals with the period when Italy was scheming to oust - Austria's suzerainty. One of the chief personages in the story is Dr. Ceneri, who is a fanatic in respect to the great question of the period to such an extent that he unlawfully uses Ji's Ileeeased sister's money. His nephew demands that ,Dr. Conari account for the money. This leads to Dr. Cenari plotting with a certain Paoli Macari, who quarrels with the nephew and murders him. The subsequent events, which are very exciting, are depicted with great realism. Supporting this great picture are some excellent scenic, dramatic and comic subjects. The Superfluous Baby" is a fascinating type of comedy, while there is a beautiful scenic, "Lake Katrine." Other films are "Mushroom Growing" (interest), I "The Heart of Sonny Jim" (Vitagraph comedy-drama) and Gaumont Graphic.

THE MAORI OPERA COMPANY. Mr. Frederick Bennett's Maori Opera Company will inaugurate a three nights' season at the Theatre Royal, commencing on 26th August, in a Maori musical play, entitled "Hinemoa," written and composed by Mr, Percy Flyun. The company comes direct from His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, where the play received an overwhelming reception. The Press nnd public eulogised the production, and the reception it received there was remarkable, for never before has the public seen Maori actors, who are a unique contribution in the Thespian world. The music of "Hinemoa" is of a most inspirational character, whilst the elaborate scenery is bewitching. The native costumes worn in the production are beyond description; many of them are traditional heirlooms, and are of high value. One costume is made out of the skin of the extinct Maori dog. There are many attractions introduced into the production, such as hakas and unique poi dances, and for their equal in merit they are unparalleled. The fine music, the unlimited fund*'of humor, sensation blended with sentimentality, together with vivid novelties, constitute a very unique and charming entertainment, and have made the play the outstanding success that it is to-day. The company comprises 40 clever Maori performers,'each one claimed to be an artist, and a full and efficient orchestra under the baton of the composer, Mr. Percy Flynn, travels with the company. Miss Tirita Butt will appear as "Hinemoa," the maid who was forbidden to marry. Miss Butt, though only a girl of 15 summers, is possessed of a beautiful rich voice, nnd is endowed with histrionic ability. Ardent playgoers shoud not miss the opportunity of witnessing this novel attraction. The box plan is now open at Colliers, Prices 4s, 3s, '2s, and Is.