ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143768, 17 April 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'•THE BELLS.” At the Empire Picture Palace tonight the public will have an opportunity to view the celebrated drama, ‘•The Bells,” a play made famous by the great actor, Sir Henry Irving. Most people are acquainted witj* the story of Mathias, the struggling innkeeper. who, fearful that his wife and little child will he turned into the streets because of a debt he cannot pay, yields to the temptation for gold, and murders and robs the Polish Jew, on a night that is long to he remcnL bored for the worst storm that the country has ever experienced. Fifteen years later Mathias, .now living with every comfort that bis ill-gotten gold can give, is haunted almost to madness by the oft repeated sound of ■ the ‘‘Bells.” In imagination he again hears the sleigh bells as on the night fifteen years before when he murdered the Polish Jew. The lecture by Mr. Alf. Boothman makes the story clear and easily followed. Every incident through the thrilling romance has reeeivcamuch study and careful thought, the result being a perfect blending of picture and story. THEATRE ROYAL. * Good business continues to favour the Royal Proprietory and Mr. Crust, who is on a business visit to Wellington, has secured n programme of rare grandeur. ■‘His Wife’s Secret,” a V itagranh comedy directed by Mr. Van Dyke Brooks and Maurice Costello is a story of a woman’s devotion which saves her husband from ruin, with many scenes full of real comedy, both dramatic and interesting. “Kitty and the Cowboys” is an exciting story of ranch ' life. While “The Politician’s Dream" is a screaming farce, with John Bunny as the laugh provoker. The scenic and dramatic portion of to-night’s programme has been carefully selected and will prove a treat to patrons. At the sweets matinee on Saturday when “Gipsy Blood” will he screened for the’ first time, your child will have an opportunity of securing the lucky sweets bag containing five shillings. “ EVERYWOMAN.” Great interest is being centred in the production of “ Everywoinun,” which is to be presented by the .1. C. 'Williamson management on Monday night next at. the Theatre Royal. The role of “ Evcrywoman ” will serve to reintroduce ’ the brilliant actress Miss Hilda Spong, who began her career as an actress in Australia and New Zealand, but who for a number of years has boon associated with a number of London and New York triumphs. The cast will also include, Mr. William Desmond, the gifted American actor who appeared here so successfully last year with Miss Katherine Grey in “The Lion and the Mouse” and “The Third Degree.” A Melbourne critic says, “There Is more entertainment, more real enjoyment, and more lasting satisfaction in ‘Everywoman’ than in any other two plays put together.” Elbert Hubbard, tile well-known critic, writes; “In ‘Everywoman’ there is enough comedy to give you rest; enough by-play to throw open the window and let in the fresh air; enough witchery of girls so the curtains are parted and the sun streams in from tho east, carrying the perfume of life’s morning. ‘Everywoman’ is a play that makes ns think, makes us feel, sounds onr heartstrings, and then makes ns laugh, sending ns away happy. And we feel all tho better for it. ’ The whole thing now looms

large in my memory, and I feel that the witnessing of this play was an event, an epoch, a great white milestone in ray life’s little journey.” The plan will be opened at Collier’s on Friday next at 8 a.m.; a queue will he formed from 7.30 a.m.