Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 794, 10 April 1905, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

' o MOURAPH AND MUSICAL CO. SACKED CONCERT. Those councillors who objected on principle to afilowing llw entertainment could have found nothing to ■avil at in the sacred concert given In the Tfteutro Royal on Sunday evening by Cooper's Hiograph and Musical Company. Admission was by silver coin, the rqquvst donation being one shilling Tor the dress circle and sixpence lor the stalls. The townspeople attended in good numbers after chinch hours, and a fair amount was taken at the doors, ns \ by arrangement with thy Council o half the proceeds wore set apart as a donation to the hospital. The programme was at once interesting and high class, having a distinctly 1 el.'vuting influence. After a num- j Lei! of coloured views dealing with ( the old time slave trade, and portraiturts of the eminent men who were responsible for its suppression ' the pathetic and t-liiring story o( • " L'nclo Tom's Cabin, and IJttio i Eva" was roalistica.ly presented by , a. scries of life-motion pictures, . which were both clear and well displayed. The main incidents in this memorable story by Harriet needier i Stowe were lucidly explained by tho , lecturer, who out of regard for the Sabbath nskort the audience to repress their applause. Then follow- ' ed a presentation in living form of the first Christmas morning, the ; shepherd's watth, appearance of tho , a.ngel, tho Nativity, and the angelic choir. The characters and scenes of Wilson Uarrett'n production •'The Sign of the Cross," were exhibited in a series of arfistlc coloured views, but these were not the popular moving pictures. Howover, with the aid of the lecturer, these grave a good outline of the beautiful pluy which made a deep impression on the audience. Five animated coloured pictures of Nero'n Court in Imperial Rome, persecution of the Christians, and the capital in flames, with views of tho colliseum and latter day Rome completed the exhibition. The song " Dream of Paradise," well-rendered by Mr Kindly and illustrated superbly, was a very pleasing item. Miss Lily Sheldon sang " Ora Pro Nobis" and "The Holy City " with feeling and expression, and the concluding song by Mr Kindly "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," was given with admirable effect. The company wiH appear this cvoning, when the views to be presented will' includer'a series of animated photographs taken at the Athletic Park during the New Zoa-. land-British football match. "PIRATES" IN NEW PLYMOUTH. The box plan for '' The Pirates of Penzance" and " The .Mikado" will be opened this morning at McKinnon Bain's, and, in view of tho exceptional interest which the occasion is creating, there is likely to be a rush for reserved seats. As already announced, the New Plymouth season is limited to two nights, commencing as the Theatro Royal- on Thursday evening next. It is claimed for Mr Williamson's company that it is one of the most elaborate and important that has yet been on lour in New Zealand. The names appearing in the cast arc all familiar and known among tho ranks of the most popular operatic artis'ls in Australasia. Tho productions will be presented on the most lavish scale. The following press cutting speaks for itself : " Miss Castles is a sweet, fairhnirod littlo lady, who plays with a surprising amount of case and sings KracefuHy and pleasantly. Her enunciation wna delightful, and she has a daintiness of manner suggesting more than once a studious- resemblance of tho pretty moods of tho most famous of Australian Comic Opera players;. Certainly Miss Cashes is well equipped for her prolession."