ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 14, 17 June 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Two great history-making events overshadow all minor attractions to-day, the first the visit of the Gift Dreadnought, the second, the appearance of the world's most famous actress, Mm. Sarah Bernhardt, as "Queen Bess," at the Empire Picture Palace. Sarah Beruhardt's interpretation of the queenly role is a magnificent performance, and the storv gives the spectator an insight into the I undercurrents of courtly life in the I "spacious times of Queen Elizabeth." The mountings of the play are superb, and the fortunes of Essex excite the liveliest interest and sympathy. The whole production is certainly a triumph for the kinematograph, and the enter-1 prising Empire management are to be commended for introducing to the pub-1 lie a drama of such absorbing interest, and of such historical value at the usual picture prices. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. The principal item on a delightful programme submitted at the Theatre Royal last evening, was the Vitagraph masterpiece "The Vengeance of Durand," a picture which is aptly termed better than the ordinary long drama. The story is thus:—Marion Durand is very unhappy with her husband, but she becomes more happy when her foster-bro-ther Carl comes on the scene. The hus,&and becomes very jealous of him. One "day while walking in the grounds, the husband strikes the foster brother. A duel is arranged, and Marion comes between them, when her brother fires a bullet through her heart accidentally. The husband's hatred of Carl is intensified, and as his little girl grows up he inculcates in her a determination to avenge her mother's death. Ten years passVantl she makes love to him, and induefs him to call upon her, her object being'to deliver him over to lier father's vengeance. At last she finds out that she re«H- loves him, ,but too late. A violent quarrel between the two men takes place, during which the lamp is upset and the house takes fire. Durand falls a victim to the flames, but the daughter is saved by the foster brother. The old hatred is buried with the unhappy man, who claimed that "Vengeance is Mine." This fine picture is supported by a good selection, including Sports at St. Moritz, 111]3," ;'Pathe London Gazette," and other scenic, dramatic, and comedy items. This programme will be on view at the matinee this afternoen, and again for the last time to-night. I