AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 239, 14 February 1911, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

'■THE SQUATTER'S DAUGHTER". Tile great biograplt presentation famous throughout Australia will be screened at the Theatre Royal nexv Thursday evening, second race night. A writer has said <of this wonderfully suceessful picture drama that one can al ; most imagine the scent of the gums ami wattle. "The Squatter's Daughter" has ■been played throughout the Dominion by a company under tile direction of Mr. William Anderson, and the pictorial reproduction to be shown on Thursday next is claimed to excel] in many respects the original performance, for by the aid of the cinematograph many exciting episodes have been introduced which were beyond the possibilities 01 stage limitation. For the purposes of the picture the play was enacted by the members of an Australian dramatic company in the midst of typical Australian pastoral and bush scenes. This, of course, gives it a very much more natural atmosphere than would be possible in an artificial stage setting, although the ambitious effort must have been a severe tax on the actors and actresses taking 1 part in the production. The picture drama is limited to one night in New Plymouth. Seats may be booked at Colliers : B without extra charge.

BIOGRAPH PICTURES. There was the usual change of programme on Saturday night at the Theatre Royal by the Biograph Pictures, when an appreciative audience enjoyed what is probably the finest collection of assorted pictures ever shown in New Plymouth. A fine "Pat ho Gazette" is included, giving by medium of the screen a short weekly summary of the greatest events of the world, and full of interesting subjects that were much appreciated. Two fine educational pictures are "Trelizonde," showing scenes in everyday life around the Black Sea, and "Chinese Towns," conveying an exceptionally clear idea of Celestial life and habits in the Far East. "The Vestal," a beautifully colored film, treats of the early Roman period and vestal maidens. This picture drama is gorgeously staged, and the dresses, scenery, etc., are well in keeping with the age. A fine cowboy story entitled "The Girl of Triple X Ranch" proved most popular. A romance of the American Civil War was told in the picture, "Road to Richmond." Some stirring scenes are depicted amidst the din of the battlefield, the Southern girl burning the bridge ana swimming for life raising the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Other pictures are "The Girl in the Barracks," a military drama highly interesting, "A Window To Let," a smart comedy, and three screaming comics entitled, "A Day in Mick's Life," M. Le Black learns to Fly," and "Tontoline, a Sharpshooter." The programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow.

MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY. "THE DOLLAR PRINCESS." The one night season of Mr. J. C. | Williamson's new comic opera company will commence at the Theatre Royal on Monday, February 20, when "The Dollar Princess" will be staged in New Plymouth for the first time. "The Dollar Princess" is an American light opera, is bright throughout, the nrcsic is catchy, and Mr. Fritz Hart, the conductor, has augmented his orchestra so that the musical numbers of the piece will receive the full accompaniment they deserve. The company is a strong one, and numbers over 100 members. Thev have been playing for several months in Melbourne and Sydney, and more recently to crowded houses in Auckland. The chorus is one of the strongest placed on the boards bv Mr. Williamson. The dances and ballet are under the supervision of Miss Jennie Brennan. Amongst the principals are Bert Gilbert, the Eng-; lish comedian, Herbert Clayton, Frank Greens, W. S. Percy, Victor Prince, Charles Albert, J. R. Hoguc, Lottie Sargent, Olive Godwin, Jvy Freshman, Alice Mitchell, and Stella Selbourne. The manager, Mr. Alex. Butler, is an American, and last year staged "The Dollar Princess" in New York for Mr. Daniel Froiiman. Of "The Dollar Princess" the Melbourne Age critic writes as follows: " 'The Dollar Princess' grows in more pronounced favor every time one sees it; it is not mere brilliancy and froth, but there is that subtle something which whets the appetite for more, which gains upon the regard every time it is sampled. We discover in good work something new to admire every time we examine it, so it is with this musical play. It is good in construction and setting, so that every visit leads to tlie finding of fresh beauties. The interpretation is most artistic, the music dignified and benutiful, and the entire programme one of delightful grace and elegance. Not only is the story unusually attractive, the humor sparkling, ,and the dressing and mounting magnificent, but the cast selected to interpret it is splendidly chosen." The box plan will be opened at Collier's on Thursday.