ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1182, 9 December 1913, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PROFESSOR NORWOOD. A CLEVER ENTERTAINMENT. A keenly-appreciative audience was present at Professor Norwood’s entertainment in the Town Hall last night, and everyone left the building more than satisfied that the entertainment excelled the excellent reputation that had preceded it. The bill of-fare provided something amusing, educational, and mystifying, yet free from any suggestion ol vulgarity. Mr Norwood knows his basiness from A to Z, and from the moment he appears before his audience, by his genteel and magnetic personality, he carries the audience with him. There is nothing of the blustering quack about Norwood —he is a genuinely clever artist, and his work is clean from beginning to end. His remarks in reference to the power of suggestion —of mind over body—was a fine preface to his performance. With volunteers from the audience, over whom be quickly and gracefully exerted bis influence, some amusing and wonderful results were witnessed. The audience was kept in a ripple ot laughter. The mystifying performance of Miss Norwood who, while blindfolded and in an hypnotic sleep, under the control of Mr Norwood, in restoring articles to their owners, and carrying out the wishes of certain of the audience, without any oral communication, was simply marvellous. We can heartily recommend the entertainment, and urge those who were unable to be present last night not to miss to-night’s opportunity. This afternoon a young man was hypnotised in Mr Stiles’ window, and placed before a piano. He is playing away merrily, and will continue until awakened in the Hall this evening. The excellence ot last night’s entertainment should attract a bumper house tonight, when there will be a complete change of programme. Seats may be reserved at the Town Clerk’s office.

MUNICIPAL PICTURES

The programme for to-morrow night contains a superb pictorial reproduction of the magnificent French masterpiece, “The Ironmaster,” a film of nearly 4,000 feet. The story tells of how Claire de Beaulieu is betrothed to her cousiu, the Duke de Bligny. Appointed to a distant diplomatic post, the Duke takes leave of her, after vowing constancy. Time passes, and Claire hears nothing of him. Meanwhile the Marchioness de Beaulieu and her son Octave learn from their lawyer that the family is ruined. This knowledge is kept from Claire. Claire visits the ironworks of Phillipe Derblay, who falls in love with her despite her disdain. De Bligny. who has become penniless at the gaming table, marries Athenais Houlinet, a schoolfellow of Claire’s. Piqued with De Aligney, Claire marries the ironmaster, without love for him. She falls ill, and Phillipe’s untiring devotion reveals to her the sincerity of bis affection. When convalescent she learns from her mother of the ironmaster’s generosity, and understands the true noble nature of the man she has married. On Claire’s birthday, before a party of guests, Athenais offers her a fresh insult. Phillipe orders de Bligny and his wife from the house. Overcome with gratitude, Claire throws herself into his arms, but he puts her gently aside, indicating that he has merely done his duty. De Bligny demands satisfaction, and a duel is arranged. Claire throws herself between them. Wounded, she falls in a swoon. Her husband rushes forward, the doctor at his heels, but the wound is only slight. Phillipe bends tenderly over her, and, happy at last, their lips meet tenderly in the first kiss, The educational film, “Making Walking Sticks,” is an interesting study, as also is “The English Gazette.” The three' comics, “Mabel's Stratagem,” “Fedor,” and “Mixed Identities,” are all of such a nature as to cause any amount of amucenieut to those in search of a good laugh.