ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 167, 2 December 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. The sale o£ tickets had to be stopped at the Empire Theatre at 8 o'clock on Saturday evening, so packed was 'the house, and the excellent programme screened fully justified the generous patronage. The new series of films ushered in a superb Edison production in the shape of Louis Stevenson's delightful romance, "Treasure Island." The tale is too well-known to need repetition, but suffice it to say that it lost nothing in its transfer to the picture-screen, being excellently photographed and splendidly portrayed. All the main incidents in the novel were depicted, the several brushes with the ,pirates and the exciting search for the hidden treasure stimulating the keenest of interest. In "An Outcast Among Outcasts," the A. B. Company hit upon a drama with a happy theme, following the vicissitudes in the fortunes of a happy-go-lucky "blanket tramp" who was rejected of his fellows, only to figure later on'in the role of a hero. Ho acted the gallant, and by his unexpected chivalry and courage befriended a girl and averted a mail robbery. In lightef vein came an Edison drama, "A College Girl." The story was a happy blending of humour and pathos, showing a girl at college participating in the various sports and "after lights out" frolics of her fellow students, and later on, with the sudden death of her mother, entering upon the more serious duties as sole guardian of two young children—'her brother and sister. Of course, love and a lover duly arrived on the scene, and it was here that some delightful child-act-ing figured in the film. "Saved by a Telephone," another good drama, followed, and in addition there was a trio of excellent comics. A picture illustrating the activities of the Los Angeles Fire Department was particularly instructive, while the scenies bulked largely in the programme. A holiday in New Brunswick, en fete for the occasion, was one of the best, and it shared honors with a gorgeous subject, "A Trip to Tahiti." and a series of fine views of some Swedish Waterfalls. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Xn exceptionally strong, and attractive selection of motion pictures has been secured for the change of programme at the Theatre Royal this evening. The educational side of the programme is well arranged with "Expedition to Greenland," "Italian Artillery," "Winter Scenes in North Sweden," and "From Oomberg to Llodrigat," and the management are hopeful of seeing those citizen? present who advocate more of the "cdu-' cational pictures." The dramatic and comic section will be found 'highly interesting and amusing, the dramas being by such well-known makers as "3. 1 and A.," "Lubin," "Edison," and "SeTig." In the comedy element there are four hilarious pictures guaranteed to please all classes of the audience. The management draw attention to the fact that tihe programme at the Theatre Royal is changed every Monday and Tliursdav. BARTON'S CIRCUS. A BIG ENTERPRISE. The above universally popular show will arrive here to-day'and make their appearance to-niglit near the Red House Hotel. The reputation of the firm has preceded them. We quote from the Wanganui Herald as follows:—"The big show paraded into town with the long convoy of wagons, all newly decorated and emblazoned in red and "yellow— the colours of the firm. Public comment was freely expressed by all who watched the entry. Everything connected with the accoutrements of the big show bore the hall-mark of prosperity and good management. The horses, of which there are 40, were all in the very pink of condition, and, in fact, the whole enterprise created an impression of the wonder and excellence subsequently displayed in the interior of the big tent. A blaze of illumination was a picturesque eight that met the eye first. Beneath the canopy of a big spread of tented splendour,' another blaze of light twinkled down upon a troupe of lady and gentlemen riders, who opened the long and varied programme. Dancing on horseback provided a feature that would be envied by many on a ballroom floor. The programme submitted in its entirety would occupy too much of our space for adequate description. However, further remarks may be prefixed by stating that Barton Bros, presented a programme equal, if not superior, to any yet presented in these parts. The show throughout went with a swing that entirely annihilated any possibility of dull moments. A word of praise is also due to. Mr. Fr J. Barton and his managerial staff for the 30urt,eous manner in which they treated patrons.