ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 323, 12 July 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TENNYSON 'EVENING. ■ The promoters of the Whiteley Young winter entertainments are to be congratulated upon the success o: their second production, "A Tennyson Evening." It was a complete success, anil was voted by the large audiencepresent as one o: tin- most delightful amateur entertainments given in New Plymouth this winter. It provided those present with a capital evening's amusement, and in addition must have had the effect of "winning many converts to the long list of admirers of Tennyson's (exquisite .works. An admirable biography of the late poet laureate was read by the Rev. J, \V. Burton, who at intervals recited selected passages from the best of his works. Added effect was lent to this by a charming series of tableaux, each of which was symbolical of one of the poet's works. These were splendidly staged, and bespoke much careful preparation. One particularly striking tableau was a representation ,of the "Holy Grail." "The Mermaids" also won much applause, as also did the setting of "The Grandmother,'' and others. The entertainment w?.s distinctly quaint, and the organisers may rest assured of a still Jarger measure of support -on the occasion of their next production, which, it Is hoped, will not be very long in coming.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. ATHOS TO-XICHT. ■The enterprise of the Empire management afforded the many patrons who attended the popular Picture Palace last night an opportunity of witnessing the sensational and daring act of "Athos," the world's champion trick-skater, per medium of the cinematograph. The screening of this film was quite a surprise, and caused much comment. "Athos" is a trim, agile young gentleman, and his performance is remarkably clever. His work throughout is clean, deft, graceful and without clatter, and the effortless glide characteristic of skating is always preserved. In one of his tee-totum acts Athos uses a lad, who, with hands clasped behind the skater's neck, is swung out centrifugally by '.the revolutions of Atho3 for a few giddy minutes. The effect of this turn is heightened by the fact that for some moments the boy is too overcome 1)y the giddiness induced by the whirling to walk to the rails. "Threading the Maze" is the name given to a clever performance in which Athos, "balanced on the toe wheels, glides gracefully in and out and around a couple of dozen bottles grouped close together. The jumping of chairs, singly and in groups, is another feature of the exhibition, with the difficult variation of turning while in the air and landing face about. The film, which is a remarkably clear one, will only be shown to-night. It is also the last screening of the present programme. The usual, change will be given at the matinee to-morrow.