ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 28 November 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

| THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. . To-day at 2.30 and again to-night, at 8 o'clock, a new programme will be screened. The star drama is from Nordisk's famous studio, and is entitled "As you Said." The following is the story: The wife of Pranz Miller, solicitor, 'is concerned for the future of her children, and extracts from her husband a promise that he will do anything in the world to. keep them from, poverty. He thereupon becomes interested in the bloodsucking money lending business, and amasses a huge fortune, keeping his identity secret. His children grow up in the midst of luxury, marry well and move in good society, and then, like a bomb, a knowledge of what their father's despised business is becomes known to them. They prefer poverty to ill-got-ten wealth, and after some very exciting and intensely dramatic scenes, they leave Miller, -who, stunned by the result of keeping his word to his wife, falls dead. A great and varied programme precedes the star/1 Seats may be reserv- I cd by ringing phone 365.

EMPIRE PICTURES. A grand programme of star films will be shown to-night at the Empire Picture Palace. A remarkable picture play is, "Lost in Mid-ocean." It is packed with exciting incidents, and has a pretty love story interwoven in the plot. "Lord Roberts inspects Kitchener's New 'London Army," is another fine film, which v" :l l only be shown to-night. Other *" i are "Gaumont Graphic," topical; '" Cockchafer," interest; "All for fcci''n<M'." lA-.8. drama; "The River' Avon," Pathe color, scenic; "The Strategy of Conductor 786," comedy; "The Limpet," interest, and "Mabel's Busy Day," Keystone comedy. !

JULIUS KNIGHT IX "A ROYAL DIVORCE." ( 'Never has a theatrical event been looked forward to with such eager expectancy as the approaching appearance on : Thursday night next at the Theatre 'Royal of Mr Julius Knight in "a Royal I Divorce," and the prospects are that j lie will be welcomed by a record house. It is some years now since Mr Knight last delighted us with his brilliant and lifelike representation of the great Na-, poleon, which is generally regarded as lieing amongst his best" achievements. The great interest of "A Royal Divorce" revolves round the main characters of Napoleon and the Empress Josephine, and even as the remarkable strategic senilis and would-be-fat controlling Emperor claimed the attention of the world in his day, so is the attention of the audience chained to the movements ( and actions of the two principal persons in the play. It may be unnecessary to review the many moving scenes ■with which the play abounds, suffice it is to say that the magnificent tableau of "The Retreat from Moscow," "The Charge," "The Rout, "The Battle of Waterloo," and "The Rock St. Helena" are stage pictures of wonderful beauty and striking realism. As to the story, it is the,note of the one touch of nature that is the talisman. Nothing more deeply touching can be conceived than the sorrows of Josephine, and hearts go out in sympathy to her in hernials as with the noble devotion to her lord she places her crown at his feet knowing that ere long it will have to adorn the brow of another. Again, after the lieart-lmrsting scene with the new Empress, when the motherhood of Louise is used as a taunt, there is something so deeply pitiful in the anguished cry of Josephine, as, broken-hearted, she falls on her knees, while on her lips is the prayer, "0 Mother of Sorrows let me ' die" The, wonderful loyalty of Josephine is shown on the deck of the Northumberland when she begs to be allowed to accompany the captured Napoleon to St Helena. Both Mr Knight and Miss Irene Brown met with a wonderful reception when "A Royal Divor**"" was recently staged in Melbourne, and the piece once again proved itself the most popular drama the Australasian stage has known. The box plan will be open at Collier's on Tuesday morning next at 8 o'clock. A queue will be formed from 7 p.m.

DOROTHY AT INGLEWOOD. A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE. The Inglewood Operatic Society must be congratulated on the success which attended its production of Collier's charming three act pastoral musical comedy, "Dorothy." The opening performance on Thursday evening was attended by a good audience, who must have felt rewarded at braving the elements. Durring the early stages the audience were not very responsive, and did not assist the performers much, but they soon thawed to the seductive charms of Dorothy and her suite. Notable features were the clear enunciation of all the principals in the lyrics, the fine chorus of male voices being above the average in musical comedy choruses. The story of Dorothy is based on the frequently used device of impersonation, in this particular instance two double cases. Two young gallants plan to win hospitality and assistance from the uncle of one of them, but the uncle is determined not to render Buch unless his nephew will marry his daughter. She, with a cousin, masquerades as a village lass, and love at first sight ensues; also a whole comedey of errors, leads up to three weddings. Interwoven in the play is a love story of Phyllis, the innkeeper's daughter, whilst the principal comedy is provided by the doing's and love-making of Lurcher, the sheriff's officer, who is pursuing Wilder, "the hero" of the story, It is withal an engaging and wholesome comedy, that does not depend on any horse play or "double entendre" for the extortion' of mirth from the audience. Miss Lizzie Lang, in the main part, was very charming; her acting having improved last year and the slight trace of nervousness noticeable has disappeared. Her sweet voice at once made her at home with the audience. In the quartette, "We're Sorry to Delay you," her artistry found expression, and she was rewarded with handsome floral tributes, as was also Miss I. Sutherland—("Lydia Hawthorne"). Other floral offerings came later. Miss Ivy Sutherland as "Lydia," made her debut on the stage, and created a very pleasing impression. She managed a part requiring delicate pose with gracefulness. Her resonant voice was heard to advantage. In the mock duel scene her acting was good. Mts H. Thomson was a charming Phyllis, acting daintily. Her singing of the ballad in the third act, "The Time has Come," was perhaps the finest item of the evening, and reveived a well merited encore. She, too, received handsome, offerings.. The lady Betty . of Miss ty. Laing, ,was dignified-, Mr S. i ! i ;aiB 'Squire Bantam admirably enactcdJthe Part, idii-whtehLlm

tured the audience. Mr A. Hynes, was the "Geoffrey Wilder" of the piece, and though obviosuly suffering from a aold, his voice carried, him well through the difficult part, iffis acting too, showed more case and polish than in "Pinafore." In 'With Such a Dainty Maid," he infused a lover like warmth that was most effective. Mr G. Beadle as Harry Sherwood ably supported him. He sung "Queen of My Heart," the finest song in Dorothy, with dramatic fervour. Mr S. R. Darlow as "Lurcher," was a great hit. His playing was excellent, his singing just about what was required, and his by-play great. Mr H. C. Williams was good as Mrs Privett—the youngold lady who is more or less loved by Lurcher. Mr L. Sutherland's "Tom Tuppit," was a good sketch. Mr F. Price, as "Tom Strull," tho lover of beautiful Phyllis, was an ideal meek, bucolic lover, and his voice was suited to the range.

Mr N. G. Sutherland as the Tarson, and Mr R. 11. E. Moody ,as the Footman, ulily lilled those minor roles. Special mention must be made of the. sextettes and quartettes, especially the old woman's (pmrtctte, "Danciiig is not what it vised to he." The choruses were good and well balanced, and the grouping and dances were effective. The ballet arranged by Mrs McEcth and taken part in by Misses Tavendale, Winfield, Evans and 'Henry, was charmingly danced. The exits and entrances are not as. good as might be, there being some noticeable pauses, whilst nioro attention should have, been paid to memorising the dialogue, some abvious extemporisation in the matter of gagging being conspicuous at times. The costumes, properties, and effects were very fine. The members of the orchestra, Merrs H. Cottier (conductor), J. Sutherland (piano), .H. Cottier, B. Collier (violins), Ni. Sutherland .fee-Uo),.Lamb. <trombone.)', Wilson (cor--..net}',-G. iCdttiet' (flute), jand:&,,CottiOT. ■\v. ... . ■'..,.«• i^i'^Titilin^aiiiimW