AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MISS MARGUERITE CLARK AT THE THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. To-night the Theatre Royal management present a programme of photoplays which it claims to be the most attractive ever presented, to the New Plymouth picture public. 'The star feature of the series is Miss Marguerite Clark in "The Goose Girl," a story that is absorbingly interesting, written by Harold McGrath, and screened by "The Famous Players." It is a drama of tears, of laughter, and of thrills, and it contains a tremendous love story; besides,it is Miss Clark's greatest achievement in character portrayal. The book was one of America's best sellers. Mr. McGrath's power of depicting pure and passionate love has never shone to finer effect. A brief outline of the narrative will suffice to refresh the memory of those who have read the book. The Count d'Alcone, Chancellor to the Grand Duke of Malavia, at the death of his secret wife, takes charge of his little child, determining to follow out his wife's request that ' she be made a "great lady." He therefore pays a gipsy to abduct the infant daughter of the Grand Duke. Later on in life he swears he, has found the lost princess, and installs his own daughter into the Royal family. Meanwhile the young princess Jias been handed over to the keeper of a goose farm, and she becomes a goose girl, tending tile flocks, heedless of her royal parentage. How she is discovered will be fresh in the memory of novel readers. The picture version intensifies the climax. Amongst the other featured items on the programme Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew are featured in a most hilarious farce, "Back to the Primitive." These clever artists are supported by a specially chosen east. The latest Gaumont Graphic is another feature, showing as it does all the latest animated news and the newest fashions, and there are others. This programme will only be shown for two nights. "THE DERBY WINNER" AT THE EMPIRE. A FINE PRODUCTION. The programme instituted at the Empire Picture Palace on' Saturday found immediate favor with an audience which was really far too large (for comfort) for the building to hold. But whatever patrons suffered from crowding, was more than made up for by the delightful excellence of the pictures shown. Of chief importance was "The Derby Winner," one ot the famous. London Film Company's finest productions to date. The film is 5000 feet in length, and is undoubtedly a wonderful attraction. "The Derby Winner" has all the elements of a succesful drama, and in the five reels there is not one moment in which some exciting saene is not shown. Miss Eve Balfour, the well-known New Zealand actress, is entrusted with the leading role, as Lady Muriel, and bci work is exceedingly well done. Many splendid spectacular scenes are shown. The story concerns the fortunes of Lord and Lady Desborough. In. his early youth Lord Desborough met Vivien d'Arville and fell desperately in love with her, only to find out she was married. Later he meets Lady Muriel, and they are married. Major Mostyn, a disgrace to the British uniform, is desperately jealous of Lord Desborough and by the aid of Vivien d'Arville brings him to ruin. The only thing that can save him is for Clipstone to win the English Derby. Mostyn knows this. He forces Clipstone into the sale ring, but is outbid for the horse by one of Desborough's friends. He then tries to bribe the jockey. How Dick discovered the real scoundrel who had betrayed his sweetheart and how he rode Clipstone to victory, restoring the fortunes of the Desboroughs, and uniting again Lord and Lady Desborough, is only one of the many exciting scenes of a drama replete with charm. In support there is a most interesting "Pathe War Gazette" and a "French Firing Line special," replete with views from all parts, and an exceedingly funny comedy by the Jungle Company entitled "The Adventures of Sally," Sally in this case ' being the wonderful chimpanzee. The ' full programme will be repeated again ' to-night and to-merrow night. ' THE ROYAL STROLLERS. } Mr. Sydney James, the ieadei of the < Royal Strollers, who are appearing in ' New Plymouth at the Theatre Royal on 1 Wednesday evening for the first time, under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Tait.has the reputation of being one of the most versatile comedians now before the Australian public. His work embraces, mimicry, ventriloquism, whistling, impersonations, etc. The Adelaide Herald critic says: "Stroller Sydney James 1 proved himself to be a worthy chief. '■ Versatile and active, he made no end of '■ fun. Mr. James' supreme effort was | a ventriloquial o»e. Following the introduction of his figure 'Billy' there were ' many minutes of infectious merriment. ? Neat and pointed patter and* a clever ( manipulation of his tiny jester made the ' act a remarkable one. In Miss Madeline j ■Rossiter the Strollers have an exception- 1 al dancer, .whose every movement and '' pose is the personification of graceful- ' ness; this, coupled with a true sense of ' humor and magnetic personality has * earned for Miss Rossiter immense popu- '' larity during the recent Australian tour. ! The' company includes Mr. G. W. Des- ' mond, comedian and eccentric ragtime ) daricer; Miss Connie Milne, soprano vo- t calist, burlesque actress and dancer; Mr. George Graystone, basso; Mr. C. W. ; Northeote, in many disguises-; Miss Gwen j Lewis, in songs at the piano; Mr. Arthur Frost, solo pianist and musical director. ( The management announce popular prices, and the box plan is n«w open at Collier's. The Strollers will appeal in f Eltham on Thursday evening. J