ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 78, 21 August 1914, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. iho management announce a Riper m! change of programme to be sereemd t'liis evening only. i t The star item, "Officer John Dunn- ] van," i« a-story o£ a policeman. Jfcg- | hearted John, sis 'he is called, adopts 'a ] little waif. She grows into womanhood j to comfort and aid him. His wayward son returns to help ;his lather. He and ! his father's v.ard, happy in each otlhk-.r';-lovc, make John's joy comoletc. Xhic film includes a sensational fight between the police and a gang of thieve*. Supporting items include "Niagara Falls," a new series by the Vitagraph Company; '"Mue Shadow on the Wall," a powerful! play of passion; "The Poet Laureate," a very effective comedy drama; '(Prince is Lost" (comedy); "Willies Tricks'the Detective" (Pathe's comedy); "Topical Budget," and "Military Evolutions," a film of special interest. Seats reserved by 'phone (365). THEATRE ROYAL. "THE FORTUNE HUNTEU." For to-night at the Theatre Rovaf, I New Plymouth, the J. C. Williamson Co. announce the first production of this i popular play, with Mr Fred Niblo and | Miss Josephine Cohan'at the head. The I combination has scored a record succi":* ] throughout Australia. Mr Niblo as J "Nat Duncan," has more than emphasisI ed the good opinion he had already crc- { ated in previous performances by his I excellent acting, and from start to finfeli, I of _ this bright play the audiences are said to be bubbling over with merriment except when touches of pathos briefly bold the boards. Mr Niblo's sketch of the hero, wbo'is'so long a failure because he tries to make money honestly, is said to be "so fine and convincing that it cannot be too highly praised." As the heroine "Betty Graham," ,Miss Jos l ephine Colum plays naturally and with a girlish grace, her efforts greatly assisting to crown Mr Niblo's success. So real and soaking a thunderstorm as that which concludes tho performance is quite a new feature in stage craft. "The For-tune-Hunter" can' only be presented for one night only, when it gives place to "Officer 866," another successful comedy. ■" To-morrow night, the last night of the season, Mr Niblo, (Miss Cohan, and J. C. Williamson's clever company of comedians will be seen in another clever comedy* entitled, "Officer 666," This will be the last appearance of the company in New Plymouth and a bumper house is assured to be present to give this talented combination a hearty send off. A large number of scats have, already been booked at Collier's.