ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 301, 17 June 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

BLASCHECK. The English humorist and elocutionist, Mr Joseph Blascheck, will open his musical-humorous entertainment, entitled "Society Snapshots," at the Theatre Royal on Thursday next, June 20. Mr Blascheck is well-known in the United Kingdom as an elocutionist and entertainer, and he has had the honor of appearing before his Majesty, the late King Edward VII. -Supporting Mr Blascheck is Miss Mildred Wrighton, the daughter of the late W.. T. Wrighton, the composer of a score of songs, among •which "The Wishing Cup," "Bright Star of Eve," "Thy Voice is Near," and "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still" are probably the best known- This is a farewell visit, and the tour will afterwards be continued via Africa and the Continent. The box plan opens this morning at Collier's, and those desiring good seats should book early.

• THE EMPIRE THEATRE. An exceptionally good programme was | screened at the Empire Theatre on Saturday evening on the occasion of the bi-weekly change of programme. Considerable interest was displayed by the large audience in attendance in a film ; descriptive of seal fishing in Newfoundi land. Following the fishing steamers from.the time they leave St. Johns until I they return a month later the picture I conveys better than any written treatise an admirable impression of this adventurous and interesting calling. The dangers of seal fishing are many, and their portrayal on the picture-screen adds spice to the subject. It shows, for instance, the way to go about things when a steamer is ice-locked, and the wariness of the men in despatching an old-man seal. The photographer who accompanied the voyagers was fortunate in securing some remarkably fine snaps of giant icebergs, which lie in the course of steamers, and these are shown along with some picturesque Arctic land and seascapes. But the palm for the evening must perhaps go to a romantic Irish patriotic portrayal in the shape of "The O'Neill." Seldom has such a fascinating and beautifully pathetic story been unwound by the cinematograph. "The O'Neill," who is a handsome, dashing young blood, returns to the scenes of his early youth, only to find himself outlawed, and the friends of his boyhood in abject poverty. To provide for their welfare, he takes to the road, and it is while pursuing the career of a highwayman that he holds up a county magnate and his daughter, immediately falling in love with the latter. His love for her leads to his ultimate capture, but she effects his escape, and Lochnivar-like he takes her away with him. The final scene discloses the twain on a brig, bound for France to start the world over again. Additional interest is lent to the picture on account of the fact that the whole of the setting is laid in Ireland in the precise localities as those mentioned in the story. Another star_ drama is "The Heart of Niehette," dealing with the infatuation of a young medico for the queen of a ballet corps, and the love of both for a little street waif, who plays an important part in the story. In "The Long Arm of the Law" those present were treated to a stirring Mexican episode of the early forties, while on the humorous side, "Surelock Jones" (a burlesque of Sherlock Holmes) created much diversion. Mention must also be made of a splendid scenic study embodying views of the beautiful vintages of France.