ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 235, 2 April 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE. "AULD LANG SYNE." "Auld Lang Syne'! was "starred," and rightly so, at the Empire Theatre last night, for it is not overstepping the mark to say that its like has not been seen in New Plymouth before. The theme (based on Burns' "Auld Lang Syne"), the scenery, and the acting, all are almost without flaw. A special feature of the proceedings is the indoor cottage scenes, with the ruddy glow of the evening fire ami the general nir of picJ turesque simplicity about the distaff side of the old Scottish families. Evening on the heather-covered hills, with a charming glimpse of the small rustic cottages in the distance dotted here and there, is perhaps the nearest approach to nature possible on a picture screen. "Evening" shares the honors with an early morning scene, for which the highlands of Scotland arc world-famous. Throughout "Auld Lang Syne," as the title suggests, runs a powerful vein of love and sentiment, which stirred the audience to the very depths of applause. Among the green hills of Scotland dwelt two farmer lads, Tammas and Geordie, fast friends, tried and loyal, as members of the same clan. They "are both much in love with Jenny, a'little Scottish lass, and Geordie asks her to share her lot with him. but she replies: "I do not lo'e ye, Geordie; I must say ye nay." Tammas, hqwever, is accepted.. Jubilantly Tammas, on his way home, tells Geordie that Jenny is his promised bride. The shock to Geordie is too much, and, losing control of his temper, he denounces Tnmmas, and bad blood comes betwixt them. Geordie and Jenny marry, and five years later sees them proud possessors of a romping little bairn of four years. The old enmity betwixt Tammas and Geordie still exists. One day the child wanders off in the heather, across the hil!*, and is lost. At night, when Tammas returns from his labors in the field, he meets his wife, who in tears informs him of tin child's absence. He and his wife stari in search of the little one, guided by a, flaring, torch, but their efforts, which ar« continued till the approach of morning, are in vain, and they return disconsolate to their home. Geordie starts out at daybreak with his herd of sheep. He is puzzled when his dog Jean comes to him with a child's tam-o'-shanter, persisting in her master going with her to the place where she discovered the child, whom Geordie rescues and hastens with to the distracted parents. Tammas relents his enmity to Geordie. They shake hands and onee more become friende. Jenny brings forth a flask, fromh which they both drink a "cup of kindness," making up their differences with the words of "Auld Lang Syne." The picture will run till further notice. The current programme also includes two other star films in "Lady Godiva" and "A Victim of the Mormons."

PASOLA. THE INDIAN FAKIR. John Fuller and Sons' touring vaudeville company, whose star attraction is Fasola, the Indian fakir, will appear in the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening. It is claimed for Fasola that he is the greatest exponent of the black art who has ever toured the country. During his New Plymouth season Fasola will permit himself to be securely locked in stocks under the supervision of a local committee. This being accomplished, to the satisfaction of all concerned, Fasola will then freo himself of, the encumbrance without having recourse to the removal of the lock. The box plan is now open at Collier's.