ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 278, 16 April 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE IiOYAL PICTURES.

Owing to other engagements there will .i be no pictures showing in the Theatre Royal to-night. To-morrow night the management are presenting a grand new , programme, headed by a wonderful hta» - torical masterpiece, "The Retreat from ■; Moscow; or the Fall of Napoleon." This . ■ film is an ambitious attempt (with really remarkable results) to reconstruct the fierce disasters that overtook Napoleon ■ ■ on his retreat from Mascow in flame*, 'j Perhaps the picture's chief asset is its insidious suggestion of a disaster predestined and enormous which was to come to the great Corsican and hit mightv army. The "star" item is supported by.a superb selection of motion pictures, including a Costcllo-Turner drama, "The Face or the Voice." < J EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE.

There will be a complete change of programme iat the Empire this evening, including a fine range of dramatic, scenle, comic and topical pictrues. Amongst the dramatic studies there is a pathetically beautiful picture by the S. and A. Co., entitled "Sunshine," showing a, brother's sacrifice for his sister's honor. The other items are well chosen, and a glance at the advertisement will convince intending patrons of the excellent evening's entertainment in store. THE BLUE BIRD.

To-night will forever have a fixed place in local .theatrical history, as afc,7.50 the curtain will rise on the first production here of the gorgeously mounted pantomime "The Blue Bird," which has done .more than anything else towards making the name of Maurice Maeterlinck one of the moat notable in the literary world during the last decade. • Mr. J. C. Williamson's Company which interprets "The Blue Bird," ' includes over 100 specially selected artists, all of whom were engaged for their particular fitness for the various parts they portray, amongst them being 40 children, who created quite a sensation in Sydney bv their really brilliant achievements. Although the booking Is good, there are still a number of seats in central positions in the.Dregs Circle and Stalls which may be selected at i Colliers'. The advance army of electricians and mechanics bave prepared everything for this evening's performance, so there is no likelihood of a hitch occurring. "The Blue Bird" en- ! thrones the imagination-of its audience and makes them sparkio with the sweetest emotion. For three' hours the onlookers are gripped by the intense charm, the colour harmony, the supreme delicacy, and masterly refinement of the story. Many features are responsible for this. The music by Norman O'Neill is delightfully tender and caressing in its movement. Further assistance in the "atmosphere" of "The Blue Bird" is supplied by the invisible choir, which in graphic melody illuminates tlx' poetic art. which flows through Maeterlinck's genius. Then the scenery and lighting effects are. it is'said, simplv without a parallel in the world's theatrical historv. and altogether playgoers can look forward to the richest treat thev have ever enioved. The cast, which is a particularly lengthy one, includes Trliv Marshal! as Mummy Tyl, A. R. Bedford as Daddy Tvl, /Jertie Cremer as Tyl tyl. Vera Spaull as Mttyl, Oeorgie O'Meara as Fairv Bervlune. Harry Tlallev as' Bread. Charles Mettam as Fire, Mnuriee Dudley as Tvlo the Doc. Ernest Lashbrook 'as Tvlette the Cat, Madge Elliott m Water, Stella Cazalla as Milk. Brandeston Revert a* Sugar. Nellie Calvin as Light. Frank Harcourt as C.affer Tyl. Vera Keoeh as £™" ,lv Tv'. libv Marshall as Night, William Ltekhart as Time and Oak. Jennv Hawkins as Oak Sapling. Georgie 0 Meant ns Neighbour Berlinsrot, Veta Cannon as N»i"libonr Berlins-ot's Tattle Daughter. S. Burton as The Elm. Farrv Rayror es the Ponlar. Reds* Hawthorn ?LT ni" Pec « 'V 1 '",' 1 " Mi,,ler « a The Limn. Olive R.uifor<! ns The Chestnut, Tim \\"n T ' ml' Lawrence as r n i v Frpnph ** Th ° Wm (■lnld. Veta rnnnnn «s Unborn Tvl 0 L a n;l' n p- *r Th ° n, ahl,it ' Cppil Broker Av tJ' I J ,Rsie Magner e« The n„ , 7 E,, r" Ha ™ «" th. ot( ' Tl ' n whole of reetw l f ? • the rfi- " .. Lister Gilbert. Mr. VAraJ 90 P r? i,,oS over m? pfehnvi iTl r l, : i,mpntnlis^ w St'-wavt IS business nwntr r«nv, should bo sent to Onera House. Wellington, not later than April