AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 102, 27 May 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

WEST'S PICTURES. In addition to a full programme of moving pictures, illustrating scenic, industrial, dramatic and humourous subjects, the opening of West's Pictures season in the Theatre Royal on Monday May 31, will witness the introduction of a distinct novelty in cinematographic art. This is the inclusion of several art studies, recently secured by Mr. T. G. West for liis Australasian companies. One of the first is called "Lady Letmere's Jewels," which unfolds an interesting story compiled by Geo. *R. Sims, the eminent adilior, and also introduces a number of leading European artists. The quality of film on which this study is printed and the powerful and finished enactment of the many characters, gives one at once the impression that they are witnessing a drama in real life, so clear and distinct are these new productions. It is promised that several of these studies will lie included in each programme. " The musical numbers to be rendered by De Groen's Vice-regal Orchestra, will uphold this combination's high-class musical reputation, and the advertised prices of admission at once places this everpopular entertainment within.the reach of all. Seats_ can be reserved at The Collier and Colonial Piano Coy.

"THE MERRY WIDOW." "The Merry Widow" is' not comparable to any other light opera __e.\tant. Tt seems to have made a class of its own, for whilst the action i 6 merely that of brilliant musical comedy, its music soars above the standard of the high lyrical opera. Vienna, where It made its first appearance, is probably the most critical city, musically speaking, in Europe, but Vienna acknowledged its'elf a captive from the premiere and. its populace simply raved over Lehar's exquisite scoring. From that centre it swept like a flame in all directions. As fast as companies could »c organised and reheavsed. it was playe.l in all the chief Continental cities, always with the one result, unlimited on thusiasm and an entire s'eason of crow-l-ed houses. When it was staged at Daly's Theatre in London in June, 11)07, Mr. Geo. Edwardes was told that he need not contemplate a change for 18 months or two years..This turned out perfectly true —"The Merry Widow'' is still running in London. In New York it was played to a steady average of £4OOO a week, and all America went mad OVeT the waltz. Burlesques were played everywhere, and the holders of the rights' had the greatest difficulty in restraining '•pirates" from playing the opera, such a gold-mine did it prove. By 0111' of Xcw York's smartest critics' it was described as "the most maddening, most elusive, most pleasantly pleas-ing-of all the widows since Eve." "The Merry Widow" will make her debut h'cre oh June 7.