GRAND OPERA FAUST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 25 April 1907, Page 2

GRAND OPERA FAUST.

A Record House. r The above company gave thei opening performance in the Public Hall yesterday evening when they were greeted with a packed house in fact, undoubtedly a record house for Foxton. The main feature of the programme was a pictorial representation of the opera Faust. The series of pictures conveyed an excellent idea of the real opera, its depiction being a very realistic one, and the scenic effects a special feature. In addition to this the show gains in spectacular value from the fact that the opera as represented by the moving pictures, was shown on an infinitely more elaborate scale that it could be produced by such companies as visit New Zealand. Some of the more powerful dramatic scenes in the play are presented with a very great deal of effect, so much so that it is difficult to keep in mind that the figures on the stage are not flesh and blood. We have no hesitation in saying that the production of the opera is the best biograph show that the people of this town have ever had the opportunity of witnessing. And projected as they were by a 10,000 candle power electric arc light, completely revolutionised this class of entertainment in Foxton, the pictures being beautifully clear. Of the other pictures ‘‘ A Moonlight Dream” showed just impossible situations and conditions as might be imagined in the wildest dreams, and excited intense interest and evoked a remarkable degree of wonderment in the audience. A picuture which was particularly well received was the one entitled “ A Chicago Fire,” in which the clever and smart work of the fire brigade and the rescue of a woman and child from a burning building by the firemen were very realistic. Others deserving of mention as being speciallyjvivid were ‘ ‘ Savage America,” ‘‘Sherlock Holmes,” and ‘‘Baby Life.” As is customary many of the pictures were of a comic nature and were the excuse for a considerable display of delighted appreciation on the part of the audience. Among these last were: ‘‘The New Woman” and ‘‘The Doom of the Crinoline.” Other items introduced were several songs by Miss Fisher, who has a pleasing mezzo soprano voice, which easily fills the hall, gave a very happy rendering of the song ‘ ‘ Some days when dreams Come True,’’ and also of two other songs which were illustrated by beautifully coloured slides. These two songs ‘‘ Killarney,” and ‘‘Sylvie,” as well as her previous effort, were well received and heartily applauded.

At the commencement of the evening Mr Hugh Wilson apologised for the absence of a musical comedy sketch in the programme, owing to the laxity of our Railway department.

TO-NIGHT. There will be a complete change of programme with the exception of three pictures, and Fisher and Wilson will appear in an original comedy sketch entitled, “The New Footman,” introducing the latest comic rage of the day, “Nobody.” Tickets may be procured at Ball’s, Littlejohn’s and Levett’s. Purchasers will be entitled to early door entrance without extra charge.