ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 102, 16 September 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WHO'S WILLIAM? » The musical farce comedy, "Who's William?" is to be presented at' the Theatre Royal on Thursday night. It has already been played in the four centres of the Dominion, and has draws crowded houses. The management has been careful not only in selecting a firstclass company to play their comedies, but have been doubly careful in securing comedies that are wholesome and clean, in dialogue, which fact has beeii ouoted by press and public alike. Messrs. Wykeham and Nable are artists of widr experience, and should know the state of the theatre-going.people. Mr. Wykeham was associated with Mr. Hugh J. Ward for six years as a comedian, and Mr. Nable has laved leading roles with. J. C. Williamson's companies and Mr. Tom Pollard. Mr. Max MontosWe, who has been specially engaged as a light comedian, played with Mr. Beerbohra. Tree in his original production of "Oliver Twist, " in which he took the part of the "Artful Dodger." Miss Pressy Preston has starred with leading Australian managers, as also have «veryone's favorite, Miss Maud Chetwynd, anil Miss Stella Cazella. Miss Alice Moffefc was engaged in London by the Qlark and Meynell management to replace Miss) Winifred O'Connor as To'mbra in 'tin "Arcadians," and made a distinct hit aaan operatic artist in Australia. Other; members of the company include Messrs. Lashbrook, Throsby, Hunter, Blachnrd, ,Seymour, Alexander, Hiorns and Belter. —~— ■>.-.,„; EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. v. The Circular Road Race pictuje proved a big draw at the Empire Theatre o» Saturday night. The film, which spok« much for local kinematography, included photographs of the committee, the riders getting ready for the start, the despatch of the limit men, and the crowd* lining the route as the scratch men started. The finish of the race was excellently portrayed, and between whiles the film showed the five-mile motor race and its sensational spill. The snapshots o£ the dense crowd of spectators ,on, the racecourse created much diversion, ana many of the audience experienced for the first time the sensation of seeingtheir likenesses thrown on the screen. Increased diversity was lent to the film bv the inclusion of some splendid views of snow-enshrouded Mt. Egmont. Among the Action subjects, interest centred around an adventurous drama, "Honon and the Sword." It was a photo-play considerably above the ordinary run, and' it had the merit of not possessing any, impossible or freakish situations. theme was of the best, being a glorification of chivalry and honor, and it summed up the sentiment expressed in th* . lipes, "While thoughts of love and ladies.' charms give place to honor and to arms." The duel scene is intensely exciting. Wav dramas seem to enjoy a perennial popularity, and this is not to be wondered at when films like "Por the cause of the South" are released. This picture dealt with the American Civil War, "'when brother took up arms against brother, and father went out to fight son, all fot 'the cause.'" The sentiment which ran. throughout it was of a very inspiring" .character, and the story unfolded was pathetically but beautifully told. Thtf battle scenes were almost too realistw for the tender susceptibilities of the impressionable members of the audience. In a word, they were a triumph of' kinematography. "The Old Actor" was at film with a more modern setting, but none the less interesting, featuring, as it did, that star actress, Miss Mary; Piekford. The programme also include ed interesting scenic and industrial subjects. The "Gaumont Graphic" showed glimpses of. public happenings in many, lands, and -jilie whole entertainment was rounded off with the pick of American comics.