ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 206, 20 January 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE GIRL IX THE TRAIN." To-ni»lit at tlic Theatre Royal, at S o'clock, we are to have the much antieipated "The Girl in the Train," exploited by the fine company that the J. 0. Williamson firm has sent to the Dominion, in the shape of the Xew Comic Opera Company. So much, has been read, written and said about "The Girl i:i the Train" that is comulimentary, that especial in! .'rest is abroad in the. performance of Leo Fall's tuneful opera this evening. It is evident, as far as the personnel of the organisation is concerned, that the big theatrical- firm have given of their best. It is a long time* since so many comic opera stars have appeared in one play together. Such names on a programme as Messrs W. S. Percy, Reginald Roberts, Victor Prince, t Fred Winn, Edmund Sherras, Charles Albert, Dick Shortland, and Misses Celia Ghiloni and Dorothy Brunton should prove a tower of strength to any piece in which they happened to be concerned. | Again, the first appearance of Miss Sybil' Arundale, Mr. Talleur Andrews and Miss Vivian Talleur here is, from a musial point of view, of distinct importance.' English artists of the first rank, they come with the very highest credentials, hi fact, it is confidently stated that the entire company is in every direction the most brilliantly equipped. As to the music, it is quoted as being the most melodious, attractive and masterly yet composed by Dr. Leo Fall. The importance of the production may be gauged by the fact that the J. C. Williamson management, in order to assure the pro- ' per representation of the play, considr eied it necessary that Mr. Charles Wenman, the producer, should make the tour qf Xew Zealand. A chorus of grand opera proportions, and a ballet which is comprised of the pick of the best dancers in Australia, are an added attraction. Mr. Victor Champion will direct the orchestra of specially selected musicians. "The Girl in the Train" will be played for one night only. The stage management is in the hands of Mr. Redge Carey, while the production will be under the direction of Mr. Chas. A. Wcnman.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES.' - ' The management of the Royal Pictures must feel very gratified at the increasing support accorded this established house of amusement, and it is not Surprising, that the public are responding in such encouraging numbers when one considers the undoubted Writ of the whole entertainment. The best pictures money can procure are perfectly projected, and the most pleasing and artistic musical selections are procured and played each week by the talented musicians that comprise the Royal Orchestra. On Saturday night the theatre was again wellfilled in every part, and the programme was received with undoubted pleasure ,by all present. Owing to the theatre being engaged to-night there will be no pictures shown. The complete change of programme will be presented to-morrow night and again on Wednesday. EMPIRE THEATRE. J The change' of programme screened at i the Empire Theatre on Saturday night was greeted by a large audience, commensurate with its worth. The Ambrosa feature , film, "Nellie, the Lion i Tamer," fully came up to expectations, I being a sensational film of the first orI der. The main theme of the piece was the throwing of a rose amongst the lions by "Nellie," who challenged her aristocratic lover (a count) to test his affection, and, incide.ntly risk his life, by recovering it. The ardent youth ■emulated Daniel and secured the rose, the girl meantime, however, keeping the lions back. From the circus scene chang-

Ed to the residence of the count, here the 'twain were strung together. Entered another woman, and exeunt the aristocrat's affections for his old flame. Just when the circus girl was lamenting the faithlessness of the count and the hardness of life generally, a former lover of hers, also a lion tamer, appeased on the scene, and after that all went well. "The Bandit's Mask" (a Selig drama) told of the folly of a stranger who picked up and placed in his pocket the most important piece of goods in a highwayman's stock-in-trade, It was while dancing that he disclosed the mask to the view of the cowboys, who were hustling him away to the nearest tree, when help, accompanied toy explanations, arrived in the shape of his Western lover. The feature of the picture was the coach "hold-up." "Dorothy's Bandit' was another Western drama, full of life and daring, and included an exciting brush between the robbers and the sheriff's posse, while of a different order, but. none the less interesting, came an A.B. pastoral comedy drama, "The Schoolmaster and the Waif," featuring that popular actress, Miss Mary Picford. "Tokio Fire Brigade Practice" proved, most instructive, while "Seeing Detroit" was responsible for some magnificent glimpses of the great lakes. This last, picture also showed the launching of the third largest paddle steamer in the world. Some beautiful ocean effects were contained in a film depicting scenes along the Adriatic coast, and as regards the comics pride of place must be given to a Lubin film, "The Hobo (tramp) Club." "Mr. Stout Goes to Dine" (in a most unconventional manner), and "Funnicus, ths Celebrated Painter," also aroused much mirth.