ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 61, 1 August 1914, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"LEAII KLESCHNA." To-night will boo another big fmn ui'o lilnj play unfolded for the first timo at Empire Theatre, in "Leah KleachIla, r'. a 4025 feet reproduction in pictures especially acted for the cinema Urune and <). 0. Williamson's company, lotta Nii'lson, and her New York dram atic company. The merits of the stage version of "Leah Kleschna" were mado Known to playgoers by Miss Tittell Brune and J. 0. Wiliumson's company, The picture representation is claimod to be even more satisfactory than the original. The story, is as follows:—"Leah, daughter of a Russian, who i.s notorious as the master criminal' of fiance, is forced to assist hei father iri ins villainy. Rescued from a in l'aii-.. she awakeiu to love and realises ner degraded position, through the influence of Paul, hc.r rescuer, Ceneni! Helton, father of Claire (Paul's flancoe) urges Paul to stop Raoul, his son, from visiting Leah, with whom lie is infatuated. Kleschna is recognised hy Paul, and is ordered to leave Paris. Kleschna plans to steal a famous neclc lace from Paul before leaving, and compels Leah to assist him. Leah enters Paul's he-use, and is detected by him. As she is confessing the ;-tory of her car.y training Raoul enters. She is hidden by Paul. Raoul discovers her, and in an outburst of jealousy accuses both Leah and Paul. To protect Paul, Leah dramatically confesses that she has broken into the house to steal. Piul takes advantage of her sacrifice and u-hers her out. After llaouTs departure, Paul finds the jewel case empty., and is in doubt as to whether Leah or Raoul has taken it. Leah leaves hefather, and begins a new life. Wlien later it is proved that Raoul is the thief, Claire breaks with Paul, and the latter, finding Lean a redeemed woman, marries her, and tho famous necklace is his wedding gift to his wife." Other pictures of merit are: "Caught Courting" (comedy drama), "Around Oamara'' (topical), "A Sketch of Venice," "Mabei's Strange Predicament" (Keystone comedy),, and "Pathe Gazette." Box plan at the Empire. THEATRE ROYAL .PICTURES.

The last screenings of the Theatre Koyal Picture's present collection, of ex cellent films will be given this afternoon ami evening. The children 'should enjoy tlie matinee, as this programme contains some very attractive subjects. "Wolves of the Underworld," bv the Broncho Company, a drama 2000 ft in two parts, has a most exciting plot, and much realism is shown in the dealings with a gang of roughs. A poor east-side .Jew amply repays Sergeant ilalony for his assistance after the rob' bery. A touching and powerful drama by the Jjubin Company, Must Nobody," Ims u'.ho proved a popular favorite. The comedies inc.ude a Keystone laugh, which excellently suppons the 'higher side's. _ Popular prices, Is, Od, and 3cl for children at the matinee. "THE ARG'Y'LE CASE."

'The Argyle face" has proved a veritable thriller to Auckland audiences, The piece lias created <juite a sensation, and 'has caused more discussion and controversy tluit any play ,for years. Theatre patrons are kept in tl c dark as to who committed the murder of John Argyle right up to the last moment, and there is much speculation and difference of opinion between the acts, as the audience eagerly discuss the plav. 11l fact, as a guessing competition it leaves the result of the next Parliamentary election in the shade. The mvstc.y is ultimately solved by the dictograph, an American invention, which, like the unseen eyes of the camera, is the unseen ear, a silent witness of :m----ening ae. uracy. This interesting machine is shown in operation in the third act, where the conversation in the den of counterfeiters is transcribed by stenographers at tlii! other end of the wire m an adjoining house, and an exciting scene leads to a teoijiestuous climax as Kay-ton's men rush into the protection of their chief, who is threatened bv one ot the gang. "The A.-gyle Case" will VwK ht "T. °" TueiJay ' * tUu •I. C. W illiamson Company, and a stron<* cast of specially mummers, at the lheatre Royal. The box plan is now open at Collier's. THE "GREAT'' DAXTE.

ri cr,. was, a fairly good attendance at the ,00(1 Templar Half last night at the performance by "Dante" and his asf!' 1 , «"«" in aid <>f the High School swimming l>aths. 'J)ante." a joung and slightly- American entertamer. put tn a Tery amusing an; l brisk performance, which ran the gamut or tlie art of the entertainer of that class. Sleight of iiand, mental telepathy, h.indcutf breaking, and slate ind number turns were reeled off in quick succession. vvit.li' fluent "patter" and invariable nnrtli. "Dante" .showed himself quick in sleight-of-hand work, and performed the usual rum of handkerchief tricks and coin finding exploits neatly and with some celerity. His work with a medium in mental telepathy, while it did not venture far into (he'realms ot science, were sufficiently deceptive and th« question-answering cv.u'sed ahundant merriment. A young H.dy associate succeeded in disposing of any number of handcuffs and chains, to the satisfaction of the audience, and at the ccncl'usion of the performance "Dante" received a challenge to himself (Sseapp from handcuffs to be provided. He announced his intention of doing this at his performance to-nigU.