ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 98, 11 September 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. "The Black Chancellor" is the title of t'lie 3000 ft. star attraction to be shown at the Empire Picture Palace for the first time on to-night's change of programme. "The Black Chancellor" (Black Panther) occupies almost the whole of the second half of the programme, and the story depicted deals with alleged high life under the shadow of an imaginary thione. Chancellor Rallenstein is the chief character in- the story, and being a diplomat he places Stale affair'- before affairs of the heart. With a brilliant diplomatic wedding in view lie desires that his daughter, Princess Irene, shall marry a prince. But she has already fallen in love and is secretly married to a young army officer, Lieutenant Parlow by name. Rallenstein, aided by his villainous aide de camp, Roekowitz, now starts a series of intrigues to remove the young man from his* path. How far he succeeds the picture shows in a startling and realistic manner. The mounting is superb, the dresses and general equipment extravagant. and the leading character perform their parts with a sincerity and strength that intensify the story. SALE OF WORK. A sale of work is being held in the Salvation Army barracks in aid of the Army rescue work. The stalls are attractively arranged, and good business is reported. A very o-ood collection of ivory curio work is on sale. The stall-holders a-e: Sweets, Misses Hill and Bennett; refreshments, Me-sdames Gilbert, Derncliey; pot plants, Ensign Adams; bran tub. Misses Davidson and Ford; plain sewing, Mrs. .Smith and Miss Allen; literature, Bro. Buic-k; ivory work, Mrs. Ensign Adams; junior stall, Miss Oallaghan and Mrs. SifTlet. Musical.items were contributed by Misses Callaghan (and pupils), and E. Roch, and recitations by Misses Edna Wadman, 11. Bennett, Mary Harvey. Action songs were also rendered by the children. The fair will be open again this evening, when a laughable fm'ce will be staged in the shape of "Wanted, a Servant." CANTATA "ESTHER." An excellent rendering of Bradbury's pretty cantata, ''Esther, the Beautiful Queen," was given in the Good Templar TTall last evening by the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Choir, assisted by friends and a large orchestra. The public liberally patronised the entertainment, which went off without a bitc-li. This was due in no small measure to the good work of the conductor of the choir (Mr. W. G. l!cid). Prior to the staging of the cantata, a musical programme was rendered, the contributors lieinu Misses Coodacre and Stewart, and Messrs. McTsaac. Asher and Haslam. The cast of the characters was as follows:—Esther, the Queen, Miss Rae (soprano); Ahasuerus. the King. Mr. Haslam (bass); Haman. Overseer of the Realm, Mr. G. McTsaac (baritone); Zeresli. Ttynwn's wife, Miss Connett (contralto); Mordecai, Mr. A. Veale (tenor); Queen's first maid of honor, Miscs Leitch (soprano); Ifegai, Mr. Asher (bass); Harbonah, Mr. Walker (baritone). The selected readings were given by the Rev. T. H. Roseveare. and the solos bv Mrs. H. W'liite and Miss Blanchard. The accompanists wore Messrs E. Gohling and McGregor.