ROUND THE PICTURE SHOWS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 34

ROUND THE PICTURE SHOWS.

“THE MIRACLE.”

That Mr. Beaumont Smith’s lyricscope play, “The Miracle,” has created more than ordinary interest was evidenced by the packed house on Monday, numbers having to be turned away. “The Miracle” is founded on an old German legend, in which the nun, Megildis, plays a prominent part. Chosen to guard the miraculous image

of the Madonna, the nun is lured into the outside world by the strains of music, and incidentally meets a handsome knight, with whom she flees. They are attacked by robbers, who kill her lover and make her captive. The King’s son sees her, falls in love, goes through a mock marriage, incurs the King’s anger and is stabbed by his father. Blamed for the tragedy, Megildis is seized as a witch, and is at the point of being executed when the populace, enslaved with her beauty, rescue her- Megildis eventually becomes- an outcast, and with a child in her arms, returns to the convent. In the meantime themiraculous image had come to life and assumed the character of the illfated Megildis, while an outcry is made over the unaccountable disappearance of the Madonna. However, on the return of Megildis with her dead baby, the Madonna returns to

her appointed image. The nun thrusts the baby into the Madonna’s arms, and it is instantly transformed into the lost figure of the Sacred Child. A miracle has happened. The picture is handsomely staged, and the effects, with Humperdinck’s beautiful music, played by Burke’s Orchestra, add to the realism of the scenes. -A hidden choir of specially trained voices lends a further note of interest to- a marvellous story. The opening scene is the front of a cathedral. As the bell tolls, a procession passes down the aisles singing, and imparts a religious atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the allurements of the outer world. It is presented, with one exception, with the same caste as at Covent Garden, London.

That one must keep abreast of the times is demonstrated in the star picture at Queen’s Theatre, “The Next Generation.” It is a lesson in the

march of progress, showing that the boy of to-day is the man of to morrow, and following it up with an absorbing story of a shipbuilder who refuses to listen to the modern note struck by his nephew. A most entertaining study is that familiarising one with a sailor’s life. Views of Sicily, scenes on the West Coast, a powerful drama, “ The Way of the. Underworld,” interspersed with the mirth-provoking “ Sally’s Guardian,” make up pictorial fare that meets with much favour.

The old, old story is the one running through “The Test,” the star picture at the Lyric this week. Through some misunderstanding husband and wife think that each has lost the other’s love, and misery ensues. Then comes a separation in South Africa, the clouds are dispersed and love comes into its own once more. Following in close interest are “Her Boy” (drama), “Mrs. Upton’s pevice/’ “T?he First [Prize,” and “Looking For Trouble” (comedies). The news of the world is supplied in the Gaumont Graphic, and views of Monaco help to an excellent programme.

At the West End Theatre pictures and music alike are of a high-arade character. Comedy and drama alter nate with informative studies, and appeal to all tastes. “ The Test ” takes pride of place with its domestic note.

“The Poison Tree,” with its mesmeric touch, has been fascinating crowds at the Globe Theatre since Monday, holding the spectators through a series of thrilling scenes. The story revolves around the mysterious illness of a girl who is being slowly poisoned by her jealous sister with the juice of a strange tree. The unfolding of the plot makes absorbing reading. Of educational interest is “Oxygen Wonders,” while the comic element is supplied in “Hypnotism in Hickville,” a highly amusing study. A budget of news from the Warwick Chronicle is included in a much appreciated programme.