ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 168, 3 December 1912, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Another Milliant moving picture col-' lection was presented to a good audience at the Theatre Royal last evening. A strong feature of the programme was the admirable quartette of educational films shown, including a magnificent and charming "travel picture" "liomberg to Llodrigat," a comprehensive film dealing with "the training and life of "Italian Artillery," also an exquisitely beautiful and fantastic scenic picture showing "Winter Scenes in North Sweden," and a page from the "Farthest North" In "Aa Expedition to Cveenlaml," showing in an interesting manner the life and habits of the hardy Esquimo, his manner of fishing, and wonderful control combined with skill with which he kindles his kayak. The four pictures are certainly of the very best educational value and alone should draw a full house to-night. The dramatic numbers are fine subjects, including '"Out of the Night," a striking film-story introducing some marvellous photographic effects and clever "vision scenes." "Jack and .tingles" is another pleasing story, showing the devotion of a faithful dog for his little master, the hitter a small newsboy. Other dramatic numbers are "The Little Woollen Shoe" (Edison) and a Western drama by Lubin, "Over the Divide." A quartette of hilarious comedy items add considerably to the evening's enjoyment. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. "Treasure Tsland" with all its entrancing and exciting events will fliwh across the screen for the last occasion at the Empire this evening. "A Trip to Tahiti." "Los Angeles Fire Brigade," "A Holiday in New Brunswick." and "Swedish Waterfalls" will also be screened for the last time to-night, together with an interesting selection of comedy and dramatic. pictures. To-morrow there will be a complete change of programme, when the management will introduce a long star drama by the famous Cine Roma Company, entitled "The Coiners." BARTON BROS.' CIRCUS.

The drawing power of a circus is proverbial. The news that a circus is coming always puts all the small boys on the qui vivo, and a good manv of the old ones too. Circus patrons, who are legion, had pleasant recollections of the hill of fare provided by Barton Bros, on their previous visit here, consequently it is not surprising that their enlarged marquee was crowded last night by an audience with a lively anticipation of a good evening's entertainment.. The performance had not proceeded far before, it could be seen that the audience was in rattling good humor, as each item was received with vociferous and spontani eous applause. The whole show was bright and breezy and scintillating with dazzling star acts and. indeed, there was not a dull moment. "See one circus and you have seen them all," remarks the cynic. Well, that may be true, but it does not apply to Barton's which eon- . tains many original turns. The opening item was figure dancing on horseback by eight ladies and gentlemen, and the anii mals went through the intricate evolutions as only well-trained ones could. The Hoop Contortion Act bv the little boy Lindsay and the Crocodile Contortion act by Baberino caused the audience to marvel. The great star act is undoubtedly that by ITanley, Marguerite and Hanley. It is a most" thrilling and sensational display of muscle, grace and activity; and the culminating scene must be seen to be realised. It is entitled "The Human Velocipide," and consists of Marguerite swinging at a tremendous rate in a swing, one end of which is held in Hanlev's teeth and the other is round Hanley junior's neck, both of whom are perched on pedestals high in the air. Miss Kathleen Baker, too, does some very difficult acrobatic feats on a trapeze, in the course of which she performs the double dislocation act, finally descending to terra fifnia by means of a loose rope, entwined round her leg. She, too, proves an adept on the light and loose wire, on the former gaining much applause for her rendition of a euphonium solo from "II Trovatore." Mena Val showed some remarkable feats with a stock whip, which ; s at home in either hand—in fact in both hands at once—and proved that picking flies off a ladies' back would be child's play for' Tier, as she flicked the ash_ off a lighted cigarette time and again with ease and precision. As a trick cyclist, too, she excelled. Frankie Baker proved an equestrian of high ability, and turned flip-flaps and somersaults on the back of his grey horse with more ease than many care to do the same on the earth. His star act is turning a somersault over a banner, while his steed was at full gallop, bringing down the house. The Trick Pony "Silver King" is remarkably clever, 'and the quaint manner in which he and Jacklcs, the clown, collaborated amused more than the children present. The clowns are distinctly a feature. .Tackles is bright and distinctly funny. He compels laughter. Many of his jokes, and most of his business are quite original. In fact, the whole of the comedy provided is bright and wholesome, interspersed with some clover tumbling and cquilibric feats. In tins category must be included the Comj edy Hurdle Act by the Durn Dum Trio, and the Burlesque Chinese Act by the Alton trio, The Monkey Steeplechase greatly delighted the small fry The Picture Jockey Act by Master Boy Barton. who cleverly manipulated ' three magnificent specimens of horse flesh, was another star turn. The concluding item some pretty pyramid effects by fo performers, proved a fitting finale to a sjood evening's fun. and it is safe to predict another crowded (ent f or to-night, when Messrs. Marlon Bros, will again appear. There will be many fresh items shown, arid the concluding item will be a steenlecna se. 1