ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 238, 6 April 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. ( i "LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP." ] To-day at 2.30 and again at eight .to- s night the Empire Pictures will present 1 a most wonderful and sensational Nor- \ disk masterpiece entitled "Love and , Friendship." This picture is the great- , est success that the popular Great Nor- : theim Company have so far released. . Produced close on the heels of "A Vic- '. Tim of the Mormons," it has proved even , a greater draw than that gigantic success. The story is centred around two ; school girls, Edith and Yvonne, who have become inseparable companions at a boarding school. Edith is left fatherless, and her schooling is abruptly finished. Some years later Edith is wedded to the master of a school of fencing, whilst Yvonne is studying for a great singer's career. Edith and her husband attend a concert where Yvonne is singing, and later, at a supper, Charlts is smitten with the singer's charm. Six months later the great singer is tired of her career, and seeks rest with her friend, whose husband yields to his infatuation for the prima donna. Edith discovers her friend's perfidy, and locking her bus- | band in a room at the fencing school \ she takes the studs off two foils, and i i forces Yvonne into a desperate duel, in which she is fatally wounded. The picture is full of dramatic moments, beautifully photographed, and is easily the greatest effort the Nordisk players have made to date. In addition to this great star item the management has arranged an exceptionally strong supporting programme. On Easter Monday afternoon there will be a special matinee performance, when the famous children's fairy tale, "Babes in the Wood," Will occupy the star position on the programme. "Love and Friendship" will again be I shown on Easter Monday night.

FASOLA.

There was a fair house only at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, when the Ifusol-a Novelty Company gave an interesting entertainment, which included musical items, vaudeville turns and, as a star act, the illusions of the-magician Fasola, a capable and clever exponent of the Black Art. The entertainment was bright and crisp, and the interest was never allowed to flag. Although Fasola's work had not the merit of originality it was cleanly and quickly performed, and his escape from the stocks was particularly clever. Also he spared a thankful audience the almost inevitable patter of the modern magician, his turn being gone through to an accompaniment of silence. The Windsor Choristers supplied some excellent songs, and Miss Dolly Day was responsible for a delightful serio-comic and dance turn. , Mr. Charles Ford, Mr. James lies, Mr. Charles I'ovey, Mr. Rud Petersen, and Miss Cecile Stephano made up a strong cast of varied entertainers.

"EVERYWOMAN."

The success accomplished in Australia and New Zealand by Mr. H. B. Irving and Miss Ethel Irving, together with the triumph achieved in New Zealand by "Peter Pan," is a clear indication that playgoers thoroughly appreciate firstclass artists and high-class dramas when given the opportunity to witness them. Following these successes the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management, at enormous expense, purchased the Australian and Dominion rights of the great spectacular morality drama, "Everyworaan," which is to lie staged here on Monday, April 22. "Everywoman" differs from the accepted type of ordinary dramatic production. It comos as a refreshing and satisfying draught to the theatrical palate of the most blase playgoer. "Everywoman" tells a story that goes straight to the heart, and stirs the emotion. It reaches wherever there is human nature, and human nature is still very prevalent, whilst a fine lesson underlies it all; the play has all the characterisation and charm of a delightful entertainment. The songs and dances throughout the five acts, the keenness of wit, and the shaft of satire, it is said, help to make the play a thoroughly refreshing entertainment. "Everywoman" is brilliantly mounted, spectacular effects being one of its greatest features. The scenes include New Year's Day on Broadway, New York; behind the scenes at a big theatrical rehearsal, and a brilliant banquet scene. When he purchased the play Mr. Williamson searched England for a suitable actress to interpret the part of ''Everywoman," but without success, and eventually he induced Miss Hilda Spong, who was appearing in New York, to re-visit Australasia, and judging from the high praise which she has won for her brilliant performance in Melbourne and Sydney, Mr Williamson was most fortunate in obtaining her services. The other members of the cast were all engaged specially for the characters allotted them.