ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 284, 31 March 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROYAL PICTURES. The Royal Pictures will present a complete change of programme at the Theatre Royal to-night, when the chief picture will be a great detective drama of exciting happenings, entitled. "The Mystery of the 7 o'clock Express." The famous "picture detective" Nat Pinkerton, occupies the chief role and is ably supported by his two lieutenants, Good Herbacre, and Pid Saul. Their many adventures are interesting and full of sensational escapes, until they finally succeed in solving the great 'mystery. JFIow it is accomplished is a secret that can only be revealed to patrons at thr Theatre to-night, to-morrow or Wednes 'day night. EMPIRE PICTURES, . £i Tn a Den of Lions" thrilled a packed house at the Empire Theatre oil Saturday night, on the occasion of the biweekly change of programme. It was a stupendous Nordisk production, got up on a big scale and staged—as was at once apparent —regardless of cost. It was spectacular to a degree and cmbraced some wonderful photographic efforts. Studded with realism and sensational in character, it held the audience's rapt attention from start to finish, and at tense moments one could almost have heard the proverbial pin drop. The story itself was quite as enthralling as the average "best-seller," and hinged round episodes in a big circus. "Lieutenant Rose and the Train-wreckers" provided more excitement per kinematograph. Tt was a melodrama in which the central figure was that popular picturehero the ''Lieutenant" and was as thrilling as its title implied. The Kalem Company was to the fore with "Combination of the Safe," another good dramatic subject in which excitement bad free play. Its theme was at once unique and cleverly-conceived. Variety was lent by a delightful scenic subject, "A Trip oil East Bosnia Railway," which dis- ■ closed much superb scenery, while Pathe's Gazette contained several topical subjects of world-wide interest. '■Japanese 'Magic" was in its way quite a wonderful production and easily sufficed to keep the audience mystified for a spell. The comics were well up to the standard —wholesome and humorous.