AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 106, 1 June 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

WEST'S PICTURES. It was au eager and a crowded audience that awaited the rise of the curtain at West's Pictures last night. It was a highly gratified and thoroughly pleased crowd which reluctantly pressed out of the Theatre Royal at "the conclusion of the performance, a few yea 's ago West's Pictures were understood to be good. To-day they're immeasurably better, and they're better this time than ever. Mr. West has brougut his programme, right up to the moment by purchasing the rights of the latest a'll highest development of living pictures. Those are the " art studies," which were shown last night to a Xew Plymouth audience for the first time. What success lie achieved could have been gauged from the rapturous applause during tlu progress of the evening, and the ex damations of delight at its close. It is no exaggeration to say that last night's entertainment contained a great deal more than had been expected of it. 1 There were comic slides, comic enough to dispel any worries or •'blues," and they ranked high for cleverness of planning, faithfulness in detail, and distinct originality. One commences to wonder what next tho cinematograph humorist will do. Then followed scenes of intense dramatic force. Interspersed were slides of educational value and of beauty. What more was needed! Thev wore faultlessly shown, clear and district, and they were accompanied by capital and well-selected items from De Groen's well-known and splendid viceregal orchestra. The pictures which opened th« programme baffled description, including one in which the coloring needed to be seen to be appreciated. This picture, we should think, would bear repetition every night of yie season. Lovers of animal's could surely have watched all night tiie scenes from the animals' hospital. It was a complete hospital for pets, and cats, birds, dogs, donkeys, etc., were shown in various stages of illness and convalescence. The final scene, in which was portrayed the delight of a eollie when released by her master, was particularly fine. Following this came a humorous novelty, iu which was shown the effect of the " Merry Widow " waltz craze. So infectious did the waltzing appear that policemen, pedestrians, hand-carts, horses, and almost everything else started to waltz, but the "last straw" came when the musical enthusiast found his piano and all the rest of his furniture keeping time to the music. Then the central figure began to look as if he had been out ail nigiit " on the spree." A highly dramatic series, "The Red Man and the Child," told I vivid -story of backwoods life in America, in its cast were a friendly Red toman and his white mate in their wigwam, a little boy placed in their charge by bis mother, and a couple of desperadoes. The Indian, who had a secret store of gold, took the boy to it and gave him some nuggets. Afterwards the desperadoes thrashed the boy into telling the whereabouts of the plant, and the finding of it and the killing of the Indian's trusted friend were observed by the former through a telescope when out with a survey party. Nemesis was swift. The Kelanis were overtaken in their canoe, and among other e-citmg incidents that followed was a grip-to-grip knife encounter between the Indian and the robber on the shore. Evening and quiet fell upon a beautiful scene, witn tiie Indian putting his little charge to sleep in the canoe. That was a popular film, though not of the same educational value as. say. the steamer trip along the beautiful shores of a Tyrolean lake, or the films depicting the work of reporting, editing, linotype setting, stereotyping, printing and publishing of "The Scotsman." one of the world's biggest papers. "Yachting at Cowes" was one of the most realistic scenes thrown on the screen, and made old yachtsmen yearn for a natural harbor here. There were many other films, of varying character, selected to suit all tastes. The music given by l)e Groen's Viceregal Orchestra was in itself well worth the price of admission. TO-NIGHT. For to-night the management guaran- | tees an entire change of programme, which will be of the same high order of I merit as that given on the opening night. I There should be another bumper house.

■• THE MERRY WIDOW." \ Playgoers generalh, nut music-lovers especially, will be delighted at the announcement of the advent of Mr. J. C. i Williausoii's Royal Comic Opera Company in no less an attraction than tile century's greatest musical success, the '•-Merry Widow," which will be produced at the Theatre iwyal on Monday '■ evening next. The "Merry Widow" is described as one of the greatest musical successes; and is at present living produced in over 3110 theatres throughout the world, and in more languages than any other comic opera ever written. This important production will also serve to reintroduce some old favorites of very high standing, besides introducing some new artists who come to ns with i enviable reputations. Mi=s Florence Young, who will appear in the title role, is probably One of the most popular comic opera artists of Australasia. Wellington and Auckland critics arc unanimous in pronouncing her glorious so-j prano voice as bright and fresh as ever. Other artists whose return to New Zealand will be very welcome are Miss Connie Milne. Miss Marietta Sash, -Miss Nellie Wilson, Miss Alma Yaughan. fleorgie Musgrove, and a host ol other clever ladies. Mi*s Fanny Dango, who created quite a sensation during the phenomenally success! nl Wellington and Auckland seasons, will make her first appearance in New Plymouth. Amongst the gentlemen we shall welcome back such old friends as Mr. Victor Gouriet, who on a former visit was leadhg comedian of the Musical Comedy Company, also the clever comedian anil old New Zealand favorite Mr. W. S. Percy, and Mr. Reginald Roberts, the popular tenor; | while such names as Messrs. C. R. Banlock. A. Arthur, and I). 15. O'Connor are most prominent amongst those who live in our most pleasant recollections. Special interest will centre in the first appearance of Mr. Andrew Higginson, the new baritone, who, in addition to possessing an excellent voice, is unanimously reported to be an actor of uncommon ability. Box plans will be opened at the Collier and Colonial Piano Company's on Thursday morning next.