ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 5, 30 June 1911, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROYAL PICTURES AND ORCHESTRA.

Messrs. Crust & Gjednted, the new proprietors of the "Royal Pictures and Orchestra" (our new amusement attraction) have arrived from the south, accompanied by their electrical engineer, operator and stall'. With them came the famous "Gaumotit projecting machine," which has liad a trial run of a week in a prominent Wellington picture theatre to make sure of everything being in Ihe best possible working order. This celebrated machine is now being exhibited at Mr. Hoffmann's music warehouse, and yesterday created no small amount of interest. The new proprietors come hero full of enthusiasm for the ultimate success of' their venture, which they anticipate will be recognised as one of our most important institutions for the entertaining and instruction of the public generally of New Plymouth and district. The opening programme is said to contain as many gems as possibly could be conveniently shown in one evening, and embrace the following star films, the foremost of which is a Pathe Frercn masterpiece in colored animated photo? graphy, entitled "Bonifaco the Vlll," a most perfectly acted historical drama. "Salzburg nnd the Park of Helbrnnn," a beautifully colored scenic film Dy the Cinema Company. The Guerrero Troupe of Mexican Equilibrists, and other of Pathe's special features. Amongst the dramas are "Tlim Woodsman," a line Dramatic production by u»e Neater Film Company; "The Girl in the Film," by the Vitagraph Company. The comic pictures include "Max and His Mother-in-law," "Hardly the Dog's Fault," "Arresting the Thief" and "Love for Ever." Other films to be included in the programme are "The Planetary System/' a science and nature picture by Pathe Freres, and "Bear Hunting in Malay Peninsula," a most interesting scenic picture. Thin excellent collection of films will be shown for the first time at the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Saturday) evening, lind should not fail to draw a packed House, The Royal Orchestra are now actively rehearsing appropriate music for the above programme. Box plans for the opening programme of three nights are now on. view at Hoffmann's music warehouse.

THE NEW PICTURE HALL. Mr. G. H. Saunders lmd a capita* house-warming at the Whitelcy Hall last night, when he opened his new picture hall, of which he has secured a lea» pending the erection of a new and modern theatre in .Devon street central in fireproof material. Boisterous, bins* tering and bitterly cold witljout, the hall was cheerful, warm, and bright within. The interior lias been re-paint-ed and decorated, the windows and stage handsomely curtained in dark maroon, and now presents a very attractive appearance. The seating is ample and comfortable, and the gallery seati* command an excellent view of the pictures on the screen. Comfort, cleanliness and brightness appear to lie features of the "show." One of the outstanding points of last night's picture programme, and one that will continue, was .the extraordinarily .brilliant, illumination of the whole of the pie;urea, which _ more than compensated for the reduction in size from the picture which Mr. Saunders has been able to project upon the Theatre . Royal screen. But, great as has been his sucecss in bringing the living picture entertainment into popular favor in New Plymouth —after a long series of starvation houses—he has never previously been sable to produce such clear and welldefined, steady effects as were screened Inst niirht. One might linger Ion? in describing the very fine subjects illustrated, the scenic films "Singapore" and "Roja Valley" being such excellent films as to warrant extended notice. But the dramatic scenes entitled Semiramis," a beautiful colored film bv Pathe Freres, setting forth with marked success the great drama of that name. as played in one of the greatest theatres in Europe, with air its wealth of eosturning and supectncular effect, wan yilonc worth twice the price of admission. It was a gem. It showed tho conquest of King Minus bv Semiramis' beauty, his infatuation, and the splendid spectacle of their marriage. Then came the Queen's conspiracy to rid herself of her lord, and the successful carrying out |>f the plot; her conquest of her people immediately after the murder became known; ber return from war amid the enthusiasm of the populace; her death at the end of a glorious reign; and her departure from earth to heaven, drawn bv the doves. The acting and the dressmg were superb., as was the illumination of the picture by the cinematograph. The audience Inuehed almost to exhaustion orcy "Tweedledum take, trasrieal parts," and "Who did the deed?" and the topical events in the Pathe Gazette were excellent. It was. in fact a most meritorious programme, of which portions will be repeated to-nisrht "THE FALL OF TROY." ' Thos who have seen "»Thc Fall of Troy" in other centres are almost ravine concerning its grandeur. The picture captured the great cities of the world and there is every indication that Mr' Saunders will have a .big crowd at his comfortable little picture theatre tomorrow night when the pictures are shown ierc for the first time