ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 166, 30 November 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TI-lEATxtE ROYAL PICTURES.

To-night is the second and last opportunity offered local picture patrons to view the magnificent Edison picture, "The Prisoner of War." Art, history, stagecraft employed without consideration of cost and backed by the worldfamed genius of Edison, have produced this unequalled success. It is the most compelling picture play ever produced. Napoleon, m the year 1804, was at the height of his power and glory. Emperor of France, virtually ruler of Europe, and then, a few short years later, a gloomy and broken'man, exiled on a barren rock a prisoner of war. From the time of bis last farewell to his beloved Frauce, on the deck of H.M.S. Bellerophon, to the touching pathos of his lonely death in mid-Atlantic, this production portrays Napoleon's life, his friends and counsellors, his guards, hip impotent rage, and his frenzied efforts to escape. This wonderful photo-play is staged amidst nature's wildest raging sea, the precipitous cliffs, the lonely mountain passes—far from the scene of political activity, where the. hero of France had once conquered and lost. Dying, broken in body and spirit, he lay surrounded by those who loved and respected him. Slowly the spark of life died out, until at last .knowing the end had come, Napoleon, tile greatest soldier that ever lived, murmured "France"—"The Army"—and, with his last breath "Josephine." So he died and was buried with the dome of the Hotel des Inv ilides to cover his tomb, a fitting resting place for the Emperor Napoleon. Included on to-night's programme is also the fine picture by the Egmont Film Company of last Thursday week's "Central School Carnival."

TREASURE ISLAND AT THE EMPIRE.

The new programme showing at the Empire to-day includes a picture on Robert Louis Stevenson's famous story of adventure, "Treasure Island." Everyone knows the book about the adventures of Billy Bones, one legged John Silver, Jimmy Hawkins and all the other characters of this delightful story. A story by so illustrious an author is bound to'hold the attention, and the dramatic style in which it is carried out by the Edfeon players whilst in Bermuda will place this film in -the ranks of the feature pictures of the season. Supporting this interesting picture a selection" of the most entrancing cinematograph successes, including "The Central BAool Carnival.

"THE GEISHA."

The spontaneous enthusiasm and unstinted applause which greeted the Xew Plymouth Amateurs last night from the wciim? Corns to the grand finale of Jiu- Geisha should prove to the local amateurs that their successful efforts to please are appreciated. It was their third ■tppeainnco here, >ml despite dishearten- . insr weather conditions the house was as crowded a* ,ould have been expected even on a first night. Their reputation had piecoded t'hom. ard manv of the audience wont to the Theatre expecting much, and it is safe to sav 'that the? not, disappointed, as the performfinish T'n W,t - h ? swin - from start to finish both principals and chorus giving their host. Encores were numerous, and not S '?h'p , 000)1s . lon f tllfl audience was not .satisfied until (hev lmd been doublv in S Tomn t -°' yot ,'. hl - v was this the case p n J. J ., s rp,l,llt,n n of ".Tack's the aoj, an item not included in the previous performance. Miss Gilbert was the recipient of a buttonhole. »I TO at its JJ ol i v q 7 mo, ' < '" "0 Mimosa ' Jw'iette." and "Ladv Constance" were presented ,vith floral tribute! L weie also the English officers. The local operattc season has undoubtedly been a most successful one, both from the point, WiM- f"T' pub,ic P atr onage, and it i, safe to say that the amateurs awa'ited™' 100 S ™ Son will be ea^r 'y