ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 263, 29 March 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

' 'THE FOLLIES." That clever and versatile company, , "The Follies,' attracted a very fair audience to the Theatre Royal iast night. The programme submitted ranged from grave to gay, but the intervals between the outbursts of laughter were not of long duration. The concerted items by the company were splendid, all the voices blending in a surprising manner. The comedian, Mr. Hugh Steyne, had a new budget of mirth-provokcrs, and he had to respond to many encores. Mr. Cliff O'Kcefe's fine bass voice was heard to advantage in well-chosen pieces, and he, too, was recalled often. Sd, too, was Miss Cissie O'Keefejj whose contralto voice pleased the audience greatly. Misses Lilly and Lulu Lussaiine were very clever with their feet, moving them with surprising rapidity; Miss Iris Edgar was popular with her vocai items, while Mr. Kennedy Black was, perhaps, the most versatile of the company, instrumental and vocal items being his share of the programme. The whole performance was a really meritorious one—one that would not tire by repetition. SACRED CONCERT. A sacred concert will be given in the Theatre . Royal to-morrow (Sunday) evening at 8.30 o'clock, by "The Follies" Company, in aid of the local Hospital. Among other items will be vocal solos and quartettes with piano and organ accompaniments. Miss Cissy O'Keefe will sing the "Lost Chord," and Miss Iris Edgar, who is a medallist of the Royal Academy, will play "Rachmaninoff's Prelude."

"THE BLUE BIRD."

Seldom has there been a play in modern times which has excited so much interest and enthusiasm as "The Blue Bird," and the announcement by the J. C. Williamson management that it is to be presented at New Plymouth on Wednesday, April 1(1, will doubtless be read with pleasure by playgoers. The electric and other effects essential to present "The Blue Bird" on the same complete' scale us when it created a sensation in London, are so intricate that it was at first thought impossible to stage it outside the largest cities of Australia, but these difficulties have now been surmounted, and its representation here will be on the same scale of unsurpassed magnificence as the Sydney production. "The Blue Bird" comes to New Zealand as a great London success, but it is much mpre than that; Paissia, America, France, England, Scotland, Wales and Australia have all learnt to love the story of the two children who wander through the world of fairyland in search of the bird of happiness. Its message of beauty, love and happiness has made it a household word from New York to Moscow. In "The Blue Bird" the Belgian poet and dramatist has embodied a whole world of philosophy so simple, yet so profound, that adults, as well as children, fall under the dominion of its enchanted wand, and are held spellbound with delight as they watch the unfolding of the beautiful allegory. The plans will be opened at Collier's on Monday, April 14. The J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. management are advertising the fact that prizes will be offered for the best essays on "The Blue Bird." For scholars over the age of 16 years a prize of £3 3s is being offered;' between the age of 12and 10, £2 2s; and under 12, £1 Is. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. ' A nerve-racking circus drama, "In a Den of Lions," is the chief item of the new programme to be shown at the Empire this afternoon and to-night. This drama is said to be produced with an utter disregard to cost, and it is the greatest dramatic sensation produced by even the mighty Nordisk.Co. Amongst the supporting pictures there is "Lieut. Rose and the Train Wreckers," besides a powerful Kalem production, "The Combination of the Safe."

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. The mid-week change of programme screened for the first time on Thursday night features one of the Messelev Company's dramas—"Gipsy Hate." A beautiful Gipsy girl refuses to marry the man whom her father chooses for her, and thereby raises family discord. She meets a theatrical manager and his secretary, who are spending a day in the country, and makes up her. mind to fly with them and'accept the engagement which they offer her! .Stealing one of her father's horses, she proceeds to execute her resolve. She is pursued by her father and angry lover. They overtake her while she is talking with her new friends. However, .after a sharp fight, she escapes with the manager in his motor. In the struggle she. wounds her would-he husband, and he, swearing revenge, follows her to the city. Making her debut at the Moulin Rouge, she rapidly mounts the ladder of success, and obtains an excellent music-hall engagement. Spurred on by desire for revenge, her suitor and her father rhwow her whereabouts, and the former obtains work an, a scene-shifter at the musichail. Just after the gipsy girl has gained another success with her fire-dance, and i* about to leave the stage, her revengeful lover presents himself. Terrified at Ihf siliht of him. she slaggar* ba"k to the :•-.!:><.rc. am! her (:'>■■■•;-.• d::v ; r<; skirt catcher lire Though quick;..- c.vtiiiLniishul she does not, recover from th" shock, and is taken to ];"!• dressing-room, when l , shortly afterwards «he dies. ''Persistency v. Obstinacy" is ;t humorous Vila'jraph cmieuv. featnvina; Maurice Costello and Florence. John Bunny also figures in a comic picture. "Sunny at the Derby."