ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 273, 10 April 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE BLUE BIRD. Unquestionably one of the most popular theatrical events which has yet been toured through the Dominion, and one for which the public of New Zea- i land should Be grateful for getting the 1 opportunity of witnessing, is Maeter- I linck's delightfully fascinating fairy i pantomime "The Blue Bird," which is ' to be staged here by the J. C. 'Williamson Ltd. management on Wednesday night next. It is gratifying to learn that once again New Zealanders are showing how well they can appreciate the higher form of dramatic art, as up to the present Maeterlinck's play is attracting record audiences everywhere. For his higher ideal, as well as for his symbol, Maurice Maeterlinck has taken the phrase, "L'oiscau bleu de nies roves," found in the folklore of Lorraine, and woven its theme—the elusiveness of happiness—into his "story . The two children who make the quest of "The Blue Bird" stand for man and woman of the centuries. They leave homo to seek it and it is their adventures that are so ly set out. They try to find happiness in the "Land of Memory," where they meet their dead grandparents, wrapped in, their long sleep, nut who live again when remembered by the children, as people are onlv dead when forgotten. Further search is made for it in '.'The Land of the Future," where Times despatches children whose birth-hour has arrived to earth. In "The Palace of Night" the hunt is continued. ' Then I again, the forest is wandered through for the bird, the trees endeavouring to destroy the little searchers by way of, revenge for the woodcutters' (amongst whom is their fathers) injury to them. They catch lots of birds that look blue at a distance, but fade when secured, just as happiness does. In the end the children find themselves back in their home, where the real Blue Bird has been all the time, and the poet's moral with it. The retinue that accompanies the little ones is Light, Fire, Milk, Bread, Water, Dog, Cat, and' Sugar, all gifted with speech after their kind, according to Maeterlinck, and, together with the wonderful stage effects, that can, it is said, only be realised by actual observation, makes a performance of fascinating and appealing charm. The management have arranged to give ■prizes for essays on the Blue Bird, as follows: Over 16 years £3 3s, 12 to 16 years £3 3s, under 12 years £1 Is. Altogether there are over 100 travelling members in the "Blue Bird" representation, and over ISO people are actually concerned in the performance. The box plans will be opened at Collier's on Monday morning next at eight o'clock. Children half price to all parts.

EMPIRE THEATRE. A good house witnessed the release of the Itala Company's wonderfully spectacular film, "Father," in the Empire Theatre last night. It was a drama of profound human interest, telling a strange story, which held the spectator fascinated from the first magnificent scene until the end,' when one was left with the delightful sensation of having witnessed something quite unique. Included in this fine production was one of the most .wonderful and realistic fire scenes ever attempted in the annals of kinematograph enterprises—The Burning of a Huge Mansion. It was a magnificent spectacle. Livid tongues of flame leapt out and frantic occupants rushed hither and thither, seeking escape. There was no mistaking the deadly nature of the fire. The flames seized upon the magnificent staircase. Two unfortunate beings were about to descend when the stairway collapsed in a roaring flame. Many fire scenes have been introduced into pictures, but none so amazingly realistic as that in this great production, involves 4000 feet of film. The plot running throughout the piece was of a sterling nature, and the acting, with Zacconi (the "Henry Irving" of Itlay) in the leading part, was superb ."Father" was in good company, being supported by a first-class series of scenic, dramatic and comic subjects.

THE ROYAL PICTURES. The new series of films to be shown at the Theatre Royal to-night is headed by another of the great dramatic successes in which Miss Asta Nielsen plays the leading role. It is a story entitled "A Girl Without a Country,"' in which there is introduced a strong military element, with the scenes-fixed on the Balkan frontier, and the incidents made to tallv with the present war. Tho r'-'rf character is a gipsy girl, Zidra. For those she loves Zidra is prepared to "i (■•> -v----extremes, and has no idea of the difference between right and wrong. In such a character Miss Nielsen revels, and she makes Zidra a real living part that will rank amongst the best of her representations. Supporting this star picture is a beautiful and fantastic pantomime story entitled "The Knight of th; Snows,"