AMUSEMENTS

Taihape Daily Times, 15 February 1918, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE. A genuine story is depicted in "The Page Mystery," which is to be shown at the King's to-night. The cast ig-c triple one of great strength, and includes Carlyle Blackwell, June Eividge, and Arthur Ashley, the lastnamed in the role which he plays so well, that of a dissolute wastrel. The mystery element develops quickly. First of all, Alan Winthrop, the hero, comes upon a beautiful young girl, who is just about to take her life. She refuses to divulge her identity. Then he discovers in the lodge, where The. party is staying, a secret bedroom. The final problem is the authorship of the strange death of Colonel Page. Many of the scenes are taken in the Adirondack Mountains, at a summer resort. They were taken, however, in the dead of winter, and the result is a more than usually lovely collection of fantastic snow scenes. June Elvidge lias unusual beauty, and acts with great emotional strength, and in this film the honours go to her. The above is supported by a Gazette and the first instalment of "The Iron Claw." To-morow night the final episode of "Gloria's Romance" will be shown, with a strong supporting list.

"THE ORIGINALS."

It should be hardly "necessary to say anything about "The Originals" costume and concert company, who make their re-appearance here on Tuesday evening next. The very favourable impression created by this coterie of amateurs will still be fresh in the minds of those who heard them. An entirely new programme of dances songs and concerted items will be submitted, while the costumes and stage effects will be different. The prices are the same as before, 2s Is, and the object is to augment tin* funds of the Navy League.

THE MAORI ENTERTAINERS.

Something novel in the way of entertainrnenL is promised Taihape on Tuesday, 26th inst,., when a troupe 01 100 Maoris from Wanganui will perform. The programme consists for the greater portion of native items, such as hakas and poi dances, and the performers have been selected from a wide circle for their skill in these particular games of the old Maori people. One very impressive scene will be staged, depicting "The Maori at home, at play, and at war." This alone is a marvellous representation or "ancient Maori life and a privilege worth going a long way to witness. There will be a grand show of some of the finest ancient Maori mats (some of which a re priceless tribal heirlooms which money cannot buy). A carved Maori meeting house and a; "whafa" or/storehouse, will also appear on the stage during the evening. The intention of the organisers of this huge entertainment is to present to the public the ancient life of the Maori people and their quick adaptation to some of the better phases of modern life introduced by the pakeha Part songs, duets, and solos will be rendered by some of the best young Maori vocalists procurable. Miss Te Uta Tauri is, perhaps, one of those few young Maoris who has attained that great art of entertaining an audience with her singing, gestures and smiles. Of late she has been giving a helping hand in patriotic work. She has just returned from the Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay districts, where she has been aiding patriotic committees with her singing. At Raetihi a few days ago she personally organised a most successful patriotic function, which realised close on £IOO for the benefit of our wounded soldiers' fund A New Zealand ensign, presented b|y the well-known local Maori Chief, Pini Tuakau, will be put up to auction, as well as several valuable Maori mats and curios. The proceeds of the entertainment will be devoted to Lady Liverpool's fund for wounded soldiers, and a special appeal is made to Taihape residents to generously second the efforts of our native friends in this most deserving object Mrs. Gregor McGregor, President of the Wanganui Maori Ladies' Committee of Lady Liverpool's Fund, will be managing the troupe, and the direction will be in the capable hands of Rev. Paora Te Muera, of Putiki, Wanganui, while the secretarial work will be performed by Miss M. Tahana. The ful programme appears in our advertising columns.