ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 276, 14 April 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PIOTUUES, The Royal pictures arc prcwuling a new programme at the Theatre Royal for to-night and to-morrow night. The principal item is a long Uramactic study, "Light After Darkness,'" a chnrmimr story of love, excitement ami falsefriends. How love triumphed in th- end. and the false friends were shown in their true colors, is admirably shown in tlia picture. Miss Flo. Turner appears in a comedy scream "She Cried"," anil the other Vitagraph players are seen to advantage in 'Spirit of the Hills" and "The Rajah's Hatred." Edison players are introduced in an appealing domestic dram* "Young Mrs. Eaton." The supporting pictures include a fine range of topical, scenic and interesting pictures. EMPIRE THEATRE.

Satrday night at the Empire The»t*e handselled what was unquestionably the most realistic cinematograph subject vet shown in New Plymouth. It was a topical picture, "The Wreck of the Veronese," which disaster occurred just off the coast of Portugal and involvd the loss of n number of the passengers and" crew. The picture showed the big liner immediately after she struck the rocks, and the many attempts one of whieli was Anally successful—to send a rocket on board from the shore. Those on board the doomed ship were depicted" signalling for help which arrived in the shape of o, Ufa line. Huge breakers were seen dashing over the steamer, making the work of rescuing those in distress a difficult and dangerous matter. The passengers were actually seen in, the improvised cradle attached to the life line, being hauled through the mountainous seas from the ship's side to the shore. Nothing in fact in the point of detail was omitted. "The Torch of War" was a fine feature drama, running into 2500 feet, and brimful of exciting incident. The tale was of a dashing young officer who had to take up arms against the country of his fiancee. The fortunes of war brought them together nxain and, swayed by his love for the girl, the officer gave into her hands—she was of the enemy—important military plans. The girl was captured with the plans and condemned by court-martial as a spy. In oredr to save her life, her sold-ier-lover made a confession that he had Btolon the plans, and the final scene, which was a dramatic masterpiece, showed his execution nt dawn, to the tune of ! the muffled drums. The war scenes and incidental skirmishes were likewise splendidly portrayed. Much interest was displayed in a Continental feature drama of 2000 feet, entitled "The Emerald Necklace." It was an exceedingly cleverly thought out story of a robber being robbed, which is contrary to tbe usual order of things. The 'popular Lubin Company was represented by. a nathetin light drama, 'The Old Chess Players," while in "Animals we all Know," the au- ; dience was treated to an interesting educational picture. Diversity w,as lent I by one of the Urban scenic scenes, showing the wonders of 'Harmonic Design." The comics were again of the best.

THE BLUE BIRD. This morning at eight o'clock the box plans will be opened at Collier's for th« first and only production of the great spectacular fairy play, "The Blue Bird," which is to be staged at the Theatre Royal by .T, C. Williamson's Company on Wednesday night next. Altogether there are over 100 travelling members of the organisation, including the 40 children who created quite a sensation in tho original Sydney production of the piece. The staff of advance mechanics have hud a busy time preparing for the representation of "The Blue Bird." A big feature of the production is th« glorionv; music .composed V Xorman O'Neill, and which will be performed by a band of 20 instrumentalists under the baton of Mr. Edward Rawlings. Children half price to all parts.