WEST’S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1592, 24 October 1905, Page 3

WEST’S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS.

A FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

Tho dual combination of West’s Piotures and tho Bresoians opened a week’s season at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. The house was a full one in all parts. The entertainment was quite a revelation to Gisborne people, for nothing of the kind bad been seen hero before. An audience that oxpeoted much was taken by surprise at the remarkable excellence of the enter-

iainmonfc. There was a fine opening with a series of pictures of Their Majesties, ail joining heartily in the singing of the National Anthem. Then came a tour through Italy, the! moving panorama depicting charming Venioe, with the gon* doliors plying throngh the streets of palaces; St. Mark’s, famed for its fluttering flocks of pigeons, i* brought into view, and then the Bridge of Sighs. Wo next gel Naples, modern aad ancient Borne, loading up to the grand eoene of Mount Vesuvius in eruption. The piotnres throughout are magnificent, and to do them full justice a oolumn might easily be devoted to cash of the many changing ocenes. A laughable episode, “ Faint heart never won fair lady,” then a atirriog maroh of the Cameron Highlanders through Edinburgh, A specially fine scene was that “ How our gallaofc firemen risk their lives at duty’s call,” a remarkable coincidence being that while these scenes were being given an alarm of fire was being given on the town fitebell; but tho deafening applause whioh greeted the views prevented the firebell being heard in the hall. The scene shows how a little girl in surreptitiously taking her doll to bed with her causes a fire, and then follow the magoifioent soenes of the fire brigade going to the rescue and the child beiog saved, The audience followed the Boanes throngh with warm cheers at given points, " The bugler and the girlso,” also the policemen, had everyone in roar 3of laughter, the comicality of the situations being improved by the clearness of the pictures. A beautiful series of pictures showing the busy boo at work were next given, and proved oi greet interest to young and old. i It is a really fine demonstration of bee culture besides being a triumph for the machine. A mock tragedy, which leads to a wonderful chaso of the supposed culprit, caused great merriment. A splendid exhibition of stereoscopic cinematography was given in a beautiful representation of Barcelona Park.

The aeoond pari was devoted lo tbe Brescians, who would iu themselves form a fust-class entertainment. They gave a programme of nine numbers iD addition to numerous encores, tbe humorist, Mr Fred Mills, boiDg brought out three or four times. The fantasia, 11 Les Cloohes de Oorneville,” was given first, and then the plantation melody, “ Old Folks at Home," specially harmonised and arranged for the Brescians. Tbe solo was taken by Mr Budall Hayward, who later on sang *• Simon the Cellarer.” " Sweet Spirit, hear my prayer” was sung with muoh expression by Miss M. Martioengo, who had to respond to a very enthuaiastio encore. A delightful number was the violin solo, “ The Caoaty,” by Miss Adelina Martinengo, who, of courso, was very hoartily applauded, and had to reappear. “II Baoio ” was sung iu fine voioe by Miss Antonia Martinengo, and ‘‘Vanity Fair ” by Miss Sara Heody. The Brescians concluded their portion of the entertainment with a hue irg scene, " A morniDg canter,” by the o.ubestra. The third portion of the programme was devoted to more beautiful pictures. A wonderful cirous performance was groatly admired. A series of exciting adventures of Indians and cowboys was given with realistic effect. A most amusing picture was the chase for a iost child. While there was a great helter-skelter chase, with many exciting experiences, in pursuit of the one supposed lo have taken the child away, the little fellow had been calmly enjoying himself fondling the puppy in Ibo dog keDnel. The entertainment concluded with the wonderful extravagangza in cinematography, entitled, “ A Trip to the Sun." This is an extraordinarily clever picture in beautiful colors- It represents an imaginary voyage of 14 members of tbe Eccentric Club, who use the most modern conveyances, viz., steam engine, automobile, airship, and submarine in exploring the universe and celestial Bphare. No one should miss seeing this unique picture. The general sucoesa is materially contributed to by Mr T, N. Lax, tho clever pianist, who has an appropriate tunß at command for every scene. Tho lighting effects were splendid. The company is assured of a highly successful season in Gisborne as in other places.