ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 107, 21 September 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIUK PICTURE PALACE.

A new selection of the latest motion pictures will be shown at The Empire this afternoon, commencing at 2.3Q and again to-night at 8. The late selection includes four pictures from the studio of the popular American Bio. Company, in which Mary Pickfonl, Daphne Wayne, and Muriel Fortescue play leading parts. These young ladies are three of the most popular picture favourites, and have a crowd of keen admirers, who will undoubtedly attend in strong force this evening. John Bunny figures in a Vitagraph comedy that develops into a long frenzied tumultous yell of laughter. The latest Pathe Loudon Gazette illustrates :a number of recent notable happenings. A< picture that has earned a great reputation in Australia and New Zealand, the tale of a deported convict entitled "The Assigned Servant" will also be shown on the change to-day. The film is three? thotisond feet in length, and is said to be a whirlwind of excitement.

WYKEITAM-NABLE COMPANY. '■THE BELLE OF NEWPORT." "The Belle of Newport" last night fully maintained its .reputation as a musical farce,-comedy of. a.. high order, and it lost nothing by its interpretation at the hands of the clever artists comprising the Wykeham-Nable Company. Of course, it is purely what it professes to be—a musical farce—and a's such perhaps does not instruct; it is not intended to do' so;' Its aim is to amuse and entertain, and it certainly reaches its ideal in this respect, for there was not a dull moment throughout the performance, the audience being for the most part convulsed at the various amusing and intricately confusing dilemmas that rapidly arise, but out of which the usual pleasing finale is happily evolved. The dialogue is smart, and tlie acting good, the actors for the nonce sinking their individuality in a keen perception of the humor of the piece. The graceful dancing and tuneful singing add a charm all their own. The costumes of the ladies were on a magnificent scale, as were the stage appointments. Reginald Wykehnm, as the irascible Col. Lyons, was perfect, and the same might apply to Max Montesole as Lysander Lyons. Edward Nable as Harry Bush, and Ernest Lash brook as Derby Dash wood. The title-role was ably sustained by Miss Pressy Preston, whilst her friend, Miss Mary Mayflower, was taken by Miss Alice Moffatt. Much of the amusement was caused by Maud Ohetwvnd, whose impersonation of ''Baby," a by no means prepossessing damsel of some fortyseven summers, convulsed the house. Trie audience was only a moderate one, not nearly in keeping with the merits of the piece, and it is safe tp say that- a return visit would be greeted by bumper houses. On Monday evening the company are ■ showing at Elthani. and on Tuesday at Stratford.