ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 222, 18 March 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE COLLEEN LAWN." Something to please all tastes, was in- ' eluded in the change of pz'ogramme' screened at, the Empire Picture fhea- ' tre on Saturday evening. There was one star film in "The Colleen Dawn," 'but other first-class pictures were also* shown, the selection of films being a ■ good all-round one. In Dion Boucicatilt'smasterpiece, "The. Colleen Bawn," '.the ' audience saw , cinematography at its-. , best. The reproduction was excellent in point of clearness, and added to this was the fact .that iu order that noting--' should be lost by way of detail and reality the Kalem Company of filmmakers s.ent a Special staff of experts t»Ireland. The scenes are laid in CountyKerry, and there the operators had every opportunity to photograph theexact spots—many of them of historic > interest—depicted in Boucieault's work. Every scene wag, in fact, enacted in Ireland, nothing. of interest in the romance escaping the camera. The audience saw for itself the huge peat boga - of old Erin, the weird romantic scenery of County Kerry, the quaint architecture of some of the old castles there that have withstood . the test of centuries and, in direct contrast, the humble hovels of the peasantry of the tiine. The customs and costumes of the period were reproduced with a remarkable absence of defect or exaggeration, and'* ' aided and abetted by, the subtle strains of the orchestra—old Irish airs were' played throughout-many a Hibernian, heart kindled with kindly sentiment,-al-most bordering on homesickness: The «°ttage in wWcll Danny Mann The Colleen Bawn," and other characters resided at the time, is reproduced on the screen, as well a® the secluded* ' whisky still, and other spots immortalised by the pen. But the play did not nave to rely on scenic effects, however well produced. Throughout the piece runs a strong current of love, pathos and adventure which held those present m strange fascination, from beginning toend. The stoiy is .powerfully drawn and the . simple but devoted love of the UJiieen pawn at once endeared itself "in the hearts .of all. The tjieme is so well knojn that repetition of the many ob-' sorbmg incidents is unnecessary. Mention, however, must be made of the act- ' i 8; -Froin the outset it was a. particupl',fm» feature.. Many good filmsre spoilt m places by defective cinematograph effects, but there was nothing; of this m The Colleen Bir.vn." Synchronising, as the play does, with the advent of St. Patrick's I)nv, it j s safe the mana g«ment could not' iave hit upon a better "catch" "The Jf n Ba -n n, ' 1 ' which runs to 3000 feet Of « ' b .® £ho ™ again to-night. Of the other pictures which go to; mike up the programme, two in a. comprehensive view of Niagara Falls andean entrancing Edison drama, "Then- ■ you 11 remember me"-are both worthy Jany. S separately in any comST. PATRICK'S CONCERT. _ In another column is advertised th» mornmg the programme for the St. Patnek ,s concert to be held in the TheatreRoyal on Thursday evening. ' Miss Teresa McElroy, the well-known Wel- , 60 P^! 10 > who\ is appearing in Wellington this evening, has been specifirff and 011 the occasion of her first appearance here is certain to excite interest. The programme includes every local performer of note, vocal and instrumental, and so far as possible till essentially Irish in character. The committee is not out to make money, and have fixed the charges at the low hn-Jo'+ii 2s, so that everyone may class > national' ? f * *«£ S . 1 concert - Holders of 2fl tickets may reserve their seats at Hoffmann's without extra charge. >