ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 158, 21 November 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"OUR REGIMENT." "Our Regiment" was in New Plymouth last night, and played in the Theatre Royal to a large audience. As in the case of the performance of ' The Geisha" by the New Plymouth Operatic Society, the Stratford amateurs ut once found favour with the audience, demonstrating to-the hilt that they are no mere dabblers in the histrionic art. "Our Regiment" is a military comedy of a bright, witty, and happy nature, designed to subtly induce burgesses to forget the cares of business, and the cost of living and the like, and indulge in a good hearty laugh. In this the performers succeeded admirably. The piece is splendidly dreesed, thanks to the ample scope afforded by the scarlet uniforms of the military, combined with the dainty and pretty frocking effects of the lady members of the company. The irrestible, and—to maijy of those engaged in purely civic capacities—the unfathomable fascination of the fair sex for a military uniform, forms the main key on which the storyhangs. Most amusingly and in a clever-ly-conceived manner, the .playwright has contrived to present some distinct contrasts in opinions, and it is this which leads to many tangled and involved skeins of humor. A dignified and rich old gentleman's innate hate of soldiers and soldiering brings him to be at crosspurposes and contrary ideas with his wife (Mrs. Dobbinson), and the happiness of the domestic circle is not increased by the advent of the Bth Lancers in the locality of the home of Mr. Dobbinson (the* anti-militarist). Those round the family hearth include the old gentleman's daughter (Miss Olive Dobbinson) and 'Mrs. Ward (Miss Enid Thurston), and friends come to stay in the shape of Mr. Ellaby and his niece (Miss Ellaby). At the invtaton of Mrs. Dobbinson, Captain :Featherstone and Lieutenant Warrener are also invited to stay at the house. Mr. Ellaby is as sincere in his admiration foT the "red-coats" as his host is in his dislike, and with such a diversity of characters and opinions the calm of the household is considerably ruffled. The situation is not relieved by the entrance of the new curate, who has sown his wild oats in profusion in his college days. He seeks to combat the fascination of the military for one of the girls, on whom he would fain bestow his affections, and further complications are also introduced. How everything is eventuallly straightened out'makes a capital evening's amusement. As the domineering Mrs. Dobbinson, Mrs. Uniacke gave a splendid interpretation, her stage presence being especially good. Cfiptain Lampen made a capital military dandy, and together with the irate Mr. Dobbinson (Captain Stevens), was the life and soul of the piece. The role of Miss Enid Thurston called for mneh vivacity and clever acting, and in this it was ably sustained by Mrs. Lampen. As two girls lost in the bewildering maze of love. Olive Dobbinson (Mrs. R. Hogg) and Mnnd Ellaby (Miss E. Cameron) were at home alike in 'both light and serious vein, while Mr. Geo. Bond, as the Rev. Talbot ("not a bit like a curate") also made the most of his part. Mr. P. Budd impersonated Mr. Ellaby (an excitable and wildly enthusiastic admirer of isoldiers) and contributed much to th:' success of the production. Another material part wa< played hv Mr. Hugh Cameron as Captain Fentherstone. "the destroying angel of the fair sex." Mr. T. A. Lonergan had a minor role, that of "Batters" (the butler) and it lost nothing at his hands. The proceeds are in aid of the funds of the Taranaki Territorial Sports Club,and at the conclusion of the performance an exhibition was given by the team of Territorials from "A" Company, which is to compete at the Christchurch Military Tournament. The team wero put through their paces by the instructor (Sergeant-Major Bond) and they drilled with excellent precision.

EMPIRE PICTURES . There is a fascination about kinemato"raphic detective dramas that is not even provided bv the usual exciting novel. The atmosphere of realism, and at times excitement rune hi"h. 'The Great Diamond Robbery." a Nut Pinkcrton star, was one of the many fine pictures screened at the Empire Picture Palace last nitrhf. before a large and appreciative audience. The drama was full of the exciting episodes usual in such photoplays. Tbe "Pathe Gazette" was, full of items of world-wide interest mention of which has alreadv been made. One of the moist mmrnificcnt pictures of the world-famous Niagara Falls yet screened in town was shown, the ureal masses of water falling over the cliffs producing an awe-inspiring effect. "Fate's AVarning." a. Rex feature drama, had a fine moral, and the film was beautifully produced. "The Pirates' Rock" wafi remarkable for the beautiful scenic effects produced, it being somewhat rare for a drama of this class to have so much care taken to produce ,a beautiful hack ground. Getting insured is troublesome at all times, but many novel ways of getting into trouble were shown by "Tweedledum" when he went to insure his life. Love is a hackneyed theme at best, but when Merry Pimple falls in love, some extremely exciting possibilities hitherto concealed, were shown. A most impressive and touching war story, "The Red Cross Marytrs" will be screened at the matinee on Sfw.urday, when a programme of Fuller's latest feature films will also be shown.

THEATRE ROYAL 'PICTURES To-night is the change night, at the Theatre Roy-il, and the new programme is a fitting finish to an enjoyable'day at the Carnival amongst the many and varied beauties of Pukekura Park. Prominent in the change is a fine film of (he. 1012 Melbourne Cup, the greatest racing event of the Colonial turf. The Caumont Graphic also contains a great amount of interesting topical matter. The dramatic section is led by another of the adventures of a popular picture hero, "Lieut. Daring Defeats the Middleweight Champion." The storv opens with an "up-river" scene, in which Daring rescues a. pretty girl from drowning, anil stirs up the jealousy of her male companion. The jealous man happens to be a champion boxer, and he challenges Daring to a match for f 10(10. The lieutenant accepts, and though waylaid bv hired ruffians, reaches the ringside just in time to win a spirited contest. The supporting pictures are all of firat class order.