AMUSEMENTS & MEETINGS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15971, 13 November 1919, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS & MEETINGS.

EMELIE POLINI RETURNS. “DE LUXE ANNIE” AT OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. The clever young English artist who so delighted ;a large audience at the Opera House on Monday night last with her performance in “Eyes of Youth,” is to appear at the Opera House to-night in .the thrilling drama of mystery “De Luxe Annie,” when she will be supported by J. and N. Tait’s new Dramatic Co. A brilliant piece of craftsmanship is, perhaps, the most apt description to apply to “De Luxe Annie.” American dramatists have always been remarkable for their directness and incisiveness, and adherence to fundamental truths in their depiction of modern life. But here is something better still. This is a play in which' the situations are not obvious but ingeniously surprising, in which the construction is not only sound but original, and in which the melodramatic thrills are real and not ridiculous. Its theme carries the playgoer into the familiar by-path of psychology, being in short, a deeply interesting human study of a case of amnesia, accompanied by moral perversion, due to pressure cm the brain, the victim of which is a woman. In the working out of the story the playwright, Edward Clark, has evolved an intensely powerful work that will appeal equally to the alienist and specialist in brain afflictions, as to the ordinary theatregoer in search of enthralling diversion The unravelling of the plot is so cleverly done that the attention is gripped in an ever-tightening vice, so to speak, and so totally unconventional and unforeseen are the denouements that not even the most experienced in the audience could foretell them. Apart from the skill of the writer, there id an inherent gift of analysis in his character-drawing that places him in the front rank of the dramatists. It is a fine play, a thoughtfnl play, and one that stands out for its clearness of vision and its forcefulness. Novel settings, including the exact reproduction of a Pullman car, will form part of the production. The box plan is now available at H. I. Jones and Son’s. PAULINE FREDERICK IN “THE WOMAN ON THE INDEX.” AT HIS MAJESTY’S TO-NIGHT. The special attraction of the new programme for to-night at His Majesty’s Theatre is a powerful feature in which Paulino Frederick makes her first appearance for Goldwyu in “The Woman or. the Index,” The story, by George Broadliurst, deals with a plot discovered by the Secret Service. The index referred to is the police crime record, and the woman in tho case does not discover that her name is on it until she is happily married. The climax is reached -after a series of thrilling incidents in which the popular star rises to great heights of dramatic fervour. Highly dramatic as to plot, the picture deals with many interesting problems in an illuminating manner. The supports, include topical, scenic and comedy gems. As the demand for seats is sure te be heavy, patrons should reserve at Upton’s music warehouse, the Avenue. The Queen Alexandra Band intend giving a concert at Fordell this evening, and will be assisted by Mrs Ivo 8 vines and Mr Swan. It is expected there will be a large attendance. •