AMUSEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 382, 29 July 1911, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. i I The Town Hall, Hamilton, was crowded on Wednesday evening last when the Empire Picture Company produced its great prugramme. the star item of which wa3 Chas. Dickens' great story of the "A Taie of Two Cities." The piece was shown in three parts, part one showing the beginning of the revolution, and the imprisonment of Dr Manette, in the Bastille; part two, Sydney Carton and Lucy Manette, and Lucy' 3 marriage to Chas. Darnay; part three, the revolution in progress, with its terrible incidents, the mob revolutionists, the warfare in the streets, the arrest of Darnay and the execution of Sydney Carton by the guillotine, etc. The programme met with a splendid reception, and is described by Hamilton papers as one of the very best produced by the company. It will be shown in the Te Kniti Hall on Monday night, and all lovers of Chas. Dickens —and their name is legion —should avail themselves of this opportunity of seeing his masterpiece "A Tak- of Two Cities."

THE PRINCESS PICTURES

A MERITORIOUS ACTION. The Prince3s Picture Company, whose headquarters are at Huntly, have decided to extend their circuit to include Te Kuiti, and on Thursday evening last submitted their first programme hera. A large audience greeted this initial exhibition. The company brought a completely up to date plant, and the films projected upon the screen were featured by clearness and total absence of flicker. Among the subjects may be mentioned a beautiful scenic depicting the private gardens of the King of Italy, depicting some beautiful cascade effects and exquisite statuary; "His Trust" was based on an incident of the Americal civil war and contained a strong vein of sentiment; "Fruits of Vengeance," "Scenes in Holland," "Little Willie and the Tramp," "Bobbie and the Indians," "Giles in London," and several other interesting and amusing subjects made up a splendid and varied programme. The company appears again on Wednesday evening next, when an entire change of prorgamme direct from the most influential dealers in moving picture films in Sydney will be screened.

In connection with thier next exhibition, the Princess Picture Co. have kindly offered to donate half the takings towards the "Welsh Benefit Fund," which has been augurated by the local Druids' Lodge. The history of young Welch's sad case, briefly put, is as follows: —While out riding some seven months ago, Mr Welch was thrown from his horae, and was picked up unconscious. He was conveyed to the Waikato Hospital, and lay for three weeks totally unconscious. His strength, after all these months of hospital nursing, is but partially restored, and his resources are practically nil. He was one of the primary members of the local Druids, and that society has taken up his case, and tha Princess Company are offering cordial co-action.

DRUIDS' SOCIAL. The happy folk who attended the initial Druid Social certainly did not imagine they would be compared with band so prosaic as a prospecting party. Using this metaphor, we congratulate them upon discovering "satisfactory indications"; and later developments have aided the significance in that a steady and certain "rush" has eventuated. Each succeeding social reveals the fact that those who were first in the field are satisfied they discovered a particularly good outcrop of joviality, for they are always in evidence; whilst an increasing throng of joy-makers is also apparent. Last Wednesday evening provided a confirmation "of the foregoing, and it would he fair to state that perhaps no happier gathering has taken place with in the local Town Hall. Mr Tassell again won the goodwill of those present by his masterly grasp of the duties of controller of ceremonies, k waltzing competition was held, in which Mr Blackby was judge was won by Mr D. Hetet partnered with Miss M. Turner, with Mr and Mrs Bennett second. The supper was again on excellent lines and the committee in charge of this department could not be overpraised for their management, and was comprised of Mesdames Simpson, Feran, 'Fletcher, Cotton, and Messrs Simpson, Feran, and Fletcher. Excellent arrangements in the cloakroom were another feature on this occasion. The dance music was supplied by Messrs J and D. Hetet (piano and vioiln) in their usual finished style. On August 16th, the Druids are making their usual social a "benefit" event, on behalf of a brother Druid who was injured some six months ago, and who is now practically incapacitated from following his previous avocation besides being practically penniless. No doubt the kindly spirit of Te Kuitians will respond and assist the Druids in their endeavour to alleviate the troubles of a stricken fellow mortal.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL. The Catholics of Te Kuiti and district are endeavouring to raise funds for building a church of their own, and to this end have arranged for a social and dar.ce to be held on Thursday next, August 3rd, in the Town Hall. A very fine, programme has been provided, including songs, duets, violin solos, sailors' hornpipe, ballads,' comic songs, and a mandolie and banjo duet. Hetet's band will be in attendance for dancing, a splendid floor is promised, an excellent supper will be provided, and the full programme of the concert is given in another part of the paper.

ENGLISH PIERROTS

The English Pierrors who have just completed such a successful season in Wellington will appear in the Town Hall, Te Kuiti, on Saturday evening, August sth. A contemporary speaks of the show as follows:—"The o ganisation in the delightful Pierrot cos tume made their initial performance at the Opera House last evening. The company's programme was a really delightful one, such as they have been accustomed to give on trie beach. There were 15 item 3 or. the printed programme, which was more than doubled by the generosity of all members of the company in the way of encores, which were demanded in every case. Items varied from grave to gay, the latter predominating. Messrs Austin and Chapman were heard to advantage in the favourite song, "Watchman, what of the night?" for which they received an encore, as was the case in respect of their solos. Mr W. P. Turner gave several laughable items, which pleased the audience greatly. Miss Phyllis Philson's items were also well received. Mr Maynard Dakin proved himself a comedian of much merit, his drolleries being most diverting. Mr Robert Thomas, who had a very heavy evening's work as accompanist, also helped in addition to keep the ball of fun rolling. In addition to the solos, there was an exceptionally enjoyable programme of humourous choruses, trios, coon songs, marches, etc , but to enumerate the various items and the encores would require more space than in available. The audience were kept in a humourous vein throughout. There was also a pleasing instrumental trio.