ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144198, 15 September 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE GREAT M’EWEN.

Mr. P. H. M“Ewen, the Scottish entertainer, begins a three nights’ season of “mirth and mystery” at the Theatre Royal on Thursday, September 18. Ho comes heralded by rumour, and with a reputation for unusual ability and humour. His wanderings by sea and land are said to have been as diverse and as prolonged as those of tho farfamod Ulysses, and, like Ulysses, ho has not failed to turn his experience to good account. In several places in tho United States and Australia ho has been publicly proclaimed to have been in league with Satan, and many and varied are the stories told of this woivd entertainer. And yet nobody would think this were they to see the genial showman in his every-day moments. Many of his feats in the mystic and marvellous are described as incredible, and it is said to bo an open question whether the things that ho does are really done or whether the belief in their accomplishment is due.to hypnotic suggestion on a wholesale scale. Now Plymouth people will soon have an opportunity of judging for themselves on this point'. Ho is to bo assisted by Miss FlorenceJJartley, prima donna; Miss Grace Maynard, mcntalisi; Mr. Will Bolton, artistic dancer, and Mr. Cccile Long, soloist. The box plan is now open at Collier’s. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Tho Empire Theatre was crowded on Saturday night for tho week-end change of programme, an excellent ono in every respect. It was cordially received by the audience, who showed a lot of enthusiasm over the star drama, “Life for a Life.” Tho story surrounded tho doings of a wild village youth who captivates the heart of the daughter of a baron. Ho gets into trouble for poaching and is arrested, but eventually escapes to the hills. The villagers discover his hiding-place, and form a scheme to force him to give mmsclf up. The young lady hears of the plot and goes to tho rescue of tho youth. Bnt it is too lato. Tho villagers have blocked the mouth of tho cavo.with straw and have sot it alight. The only escape is to jump down a cliff many foot deep. The villagers' say they will rescue tho girl on condition ■ -that tiio youth jumps to- his doom. This ho consents to do, and thus tho-story .ends in tho tragedy of “a life for a life.” Other drama stories, each having its particular merit, were “The Priest and the Man” and “Strange Company.” As usual, the Pntho Gazette reproduced many events which have recently taken place in England and in. Europe, and were much appreciated. A remarkably fine picture of the Caucasus was shown, and tho beautifulscenery was greatly admired. Three amusing comedies were put on andwere mirth-provoking to a degree. 5 ho, same programme will bo repeated tonight.

“THE MERCHANT OF VENICE” AT THE ROYAL TO-NIGHT.

Shakespeare’s famous “Merchant of Venice” will bo pictorially reproduced at tho Theatre Royal to-night. Most people know tho story of how Antonio, a ship-owner of Venice, being temporarily involved through befriending Bassanio (in lovo with Portia, a rich heiress), pledges his credit by executing a bond to Shylock, as security for a loan. In the event of Antonio’s failure to repay tho sura lent, Shylock has, by the terras of the bond, tho right to cut a pound of flesh from any part of tho debtor’s body. Antonio’s'ships are lost, and Shylock demands fulfilment of the condition of tho bond, and appeals to tho court of Venice. Portia appears as counsel for the defence, and expounding tho law as written, points out that Shylockps to cut his pound of flesh, but if in cutting ho should spill but one drop of Christian blood Ins wealth and goods will be forfeited to the State. _ Of course, Shylock’s discomfiture is ignominious and complete. This great picture will ho supported by “Dances of the Ages,” a remarkable film showing all the dances from 1260 B.C. to tho present day. Gaumont’s Graphic, "O’Hara’s Godchild” (Vitagraph), and “Cohen Collects a Debt,” are all pictures of merit and should draw a packed house.