ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 227, 13 February 1913, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WIIiTII BROS.' CIRCUS. Vurlh's Circus is a hardy annual and a popular one, for the reason that each successive visit heralds the introduction of fresh novelties and attractions of a uni(|ue nature. The adage "see one circus and you see the lot," does not apply to Wirth's. This was borne out by last night's performance at New Ply; mouth by what is popularly accredited to be the "biggest show on earth." The circus played to a crowded audience, who were both amazed and delighted with many of the turns provided. Chief among these must be numbered "The Masterstroke of Zoological. Genius," in which n troupe of full-grown pure white Polar bears performed in company vith three grizzly bears and two boar hounds. The Polar, bears form the largest group of these white-robe'd titans of the Arctic wilds in existence in civilised parts—certainly the cleverest. Bears are always interesting animals, at a safe distance, and the particular troupe are sifted with a versatility almost beyond ken. Long demonstrated in (livers ways that- he fully merits the peculiar distinction attendant upon his title of ''The Upsidedown Phenomenon!" Tie performed incredible feats with his head, and concluded with more than n dash of sensationalism ln r sliding on his head 1 down n fl."> feet .wire. In the grand parade of all_ nations, introducing tl>? whole of Wirth Pros.' Company in a procession round the hippodrome track, there was much to please the spectacular eye, while the troupe of .performing elephants, trained and introduced by Captain Burrows, quite look the big audience by storm. That ermine wonder, Karl Dudley, the only riding horse in the world. also performed to perfection, and he was followed bv an acceptable acrobatic display by the Baticr Family. They are undoubtedly '-'nine wonders," and their trir-ks_ have the virtue of being new to the ring. Mention must also be made of the clever seven-horse picture act by 0. Christie and the same performer's daring somersault act on a bare-back horse. The first appearance of the Cowbovs and Australian rough-riders was hailed with delight, which "was only excelled when the trick and fancy lassoing, the bucking horse contests, and the Australian aboriginals (riding bnfl'alos bare-back'i respective acts came on. There were other equestrian and like events without number, and the menagerie was an entertainment in itself.

EMPIRE THEATRE, There was something to please all tastes m last night's change of programme at the Empire Theatre. In "Master and Pupil" (an Edison drama), which featured Harry Furniss. some : ex- . tremely clever sketch work was introduced, illustrating several of Dickens's works. This was only incidental to ft cleverly-conceived theme hinged ronndi the benevolence of a master for his ersfjwhile pupil who had fallen on hard tunes. The A. B. Company was to the > fore with a heart-throbbing drama "Two Daughters of Eve," which told in simple but pathetic vein the vicissitudes in the life of a beautiful, girl who forsook a homely hearth-side for the glamour of the footlights. A powerfully wist drama was provided in the shape of '-'The Ranchman's Trust," which resulted in a pleasing play on the emotions of the audience. Its theme >vas an attractive one, dealing as it did with the adventures of a stapling from the city who went out West to make good his former wasted life. How he kept his trust, with the aid of a sympathetic and love-smitten girl, was portrayed in a manner at once interesting and out of the ordinary the Amateur Iceman" was a «ood Lubin drama. In the industrial section there was much to interest. Herrinfl fishing by steam trawlers off the coast ot Norway was greatly instructive, and the same can be said of the film which showed the Prince of Monica and Company engaged in the whßle-harpoonine industry. Additional variety was lent by a bird's-eye view of Paris from a military aeroplane, and some superb views of Palestine. Of the comics too much cannot be said in their praise, especially m connection with "His New Cane" 'a Lubin comedv. ' -

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Despite the multiplicity of counter attractions prevailing ] ast eV eni»o- there was a good liouse at the Theatre Poval to witness the screening of the >- ,ecial race night programme. The'star film was ''"titled "The Cup Winner," and hi ™ undoubtedly a thrilling picture. It took the form of an adaptation from Philip Lytton's and J. C . Lee's famous drama of the same name, with the un-to-date mtomt of the IJ)] 2 Melbourne 2 d S- The story is resplendent with exciting incidents, and a full measure of romantic episodes is cleverly introduced The acting and staging leave nothing to be desired, and altogether it is a picture well worth seeing. Another fright item was "The New />■!,„* land Trotting Cup." This series should prove of local interest, as manv of the faces o„ the lawn and grandstand are rlibtuict y recognisable. The photography is excellent and gives a good reprint*: tion of the Dominion's fashions. These IL V ? « it , Pms Will to-■-with an entirely new set of other films comprising the pick of the latest, releases from such popular studios as Lubiu. litagraph and Edison. On Fridav and Saturday the management -m. nounce another 3000 feet star entitled ;l.ehmd the Mask.'-featuring the lovely •Siharet' in the leading role