ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 297, 8 May 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. ' There will be a complete change of ! programme showing to-night, when the feature item will be a magnificently portrayed military drama, "For Their j Country" featuring the lovely Continental actress "Saharet." The story concerns an officer in a Continental army who determines to procure copies of fortification plans of a neighbouring Power. With the aid of his sweetheart he succeeds, but only after the most stirring series of events. The supporting pictures include an Edison '• drama, "Affair at Raynor's," a Vitagraph drama "Awakening of Bianca," the latest Australian Gazette and a number of scenic and comic pictures. "FOUL PLAY" AT THE EMPIRE. ' 'Toul Play 1 ' was in the Empire Theatre last night, and it proved most acceptable to the audience. It was an Edison adaptation of Charles Reade's celebrated novel bearing that name, and its production was enhanced by the presence of Mr. Alfred Boothman, Australia's premier dramatic elocutionist, who graphically related every incident as it was projected on the canvas. Nobody, not even the shade of the famous novelist himself, could have anything to cavil at in the pictorial representation of what has been described as one of the most realistic pictures of human life in all its varying moods that man has ever committed to paper. Many have doubtless read the novel itself with considerable interest, but their' enthusiasm would surpass itself if they had the pleasure of witnessing the dramatised version of it, as screened at the Empire. The story was brimful of love, hatred, and adventure, the main theme being the false accusation and conviction of an innocent man for the crime of another. The setting was excellent, part of it being laid in England, part in Australia, and the balance on itlie bosom of the broad ocean. The scenes on the desert island were particularly good. The acting was superb, the actors appearing to have fully caught on with the spirit of the piece. The whole, indeed, represented an advance on anything of its kind previously exhibited. It was not without <rood eomp'niv, however, being supported by a number of first-class dramatic, scenic, and comic subjects. Of these, particular mention must be made of a Seli? subject "Kit Carson's Wooing," while in lighter vein the palm went to "Alkali Ike and "A Guilty Conscience" (a Lubin film). On the scenic side, the audience found much to ndmire in Port Said, "The Gate of the East." Saturday will see a reproduction of Charles Dickens's famous novel, "Oliver Twist."