ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 187, 16 January 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

J. 0. WILLIAMSON'S COMIC OPERA COMPANY. "THE CONDOLIEIiS." Next Monday night at the Tluv.tr Royal .1. C. Williamson's new comic op era Co., will make their first ami only ap|!raniiK'f here in n magnificent produetion of Gilbert and Sullivan's delicioiisly tuneful, and gorgeously mounted comic opera, ''The tiondoliors." Tile ingredients employed by Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan, which have made them famous in every- part of the world, the tuneful melodies, catchy airs, magnificent choruses, a succession of beautiful gems, each of which seems in its own particular beauty to outshine the vest, quaint and genuinely humorous situations, fresh, original, spontaneous, and absolutely innocent and pure fun, gorgeous mountings, i)icturesi|iie scenes, and musical numbers which give the tenor, the soprano, the contralto, and the bass every opportunity for the display of their singing capacity, ft is therefore not surprising to know that after 30 yeav; •'The Gondoliers" is as popular to day, as when it was first .staged in the Savoy Theatre, London, it is stated that never before lias that very popular number "Take a I'air of Sparkling lives" been sung as it is sung by Mr Edward McKeown, who is said to be the greatest. tenor yet heard in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. The comedian, diaries K Wclenn, too, has been more than favorably compared to George Lour auft •lack Cannot, and in "The Gondoliers.'' he is said to be in his merriest mood. Miss Cilndys Moncriefl', the soprano, created a veritable furore of enthusiasm in Auckland, and critics there endorsed the Australian verdict that she is bound to attain the highest possible position in her professsion. Although the hooking recorded yesterday was excellent, there are still a number of seats in excellent positions which may be selected at Collier's.

MR. PETER DAWSON. Mr Peter Dawson, the famous baritone, will visit New Plymouth on Thursday next and give one concert ill the Theatre Royal before departing for Auckland. Speaking of Peter Dawson, the Brisbane Telegraph says:- "Mr Peter Dawson found himself in happy mood for his second concert last night in the Exhibition Hall, and ln-i- performance was an exemplification of the sheer joy of singing. Tt was a fortunate experience for the audience who wanned to the clever basso with ready responsiveness and enthusiasm reached a climax when he conceded no fewer than four encores in his final bracket, Purcell's "Passing By," and Edward Perman's clever setting of Kipling's Australian lines "Kangaroo and Dingo." These encores brought some notable features. Mr Dawson re iving the humor - ous "Rip Van Winkle" ballad, that was so popular, the merry lilting "Floral Dance" (Katie Moss), "The Bine Dragoons," and "Sincerity." Here were contrasts indeed and all alike in rollicking lay. He left the audience dazzled with the rare merit of the singing." Mr Dawson will be supported by his star English concert company. Box plan open afc Hoffmann's. For prices, see our advertisement columns. '

ROYAL PICTURES,

To-niglit's «(■«' programme feature; Vitasraph's newest drama entitled, ''.Jo lxixiinjt, tin- Barbarian." After her hus band's death, Johanna Weston continue single-handed hauling ore from lier niin to tlie mill, over her private rifilit-ci way. The Vi'llow l!ose. a conipotui; mine, meets witli diHieutticS when i landslide blocks its roailway. The own ers want to use Johanna's, the oiih other road, hut she asks 11. prohibitive price, lyiii the foreman writes to Crane tlie owner, asking that liandolph, a yomi; lnininf! engineer, be sent to make term* with the "Barbarism." Randolph, ■ wife is an invalid, is fjlad of the opportunity to go as an excuse to escape Juliet, a pretty dancer, with whom lie lias become infatuated. lie accordingly moves with his wife to I'andsburp. I (ieorfje Johanna's lazy son, is treated I kiiullv by Mrs vUaudolph, ' Johanna ' tliraslies the camp bully for abusing | tlcori;!'. Ke.mlolph Jii-Ls an idea from this what n sturdy type of woman In; - lias to ileal with. ; The "little sick lady," as Oeorixe calls j Mrs. Randolph, wins Johanna's heart f through her kindness to the boy. Tlanilolph decides; to run his automobile

over .Johanna's road without her consent. Johanna plants several sticks of dynamite in the road. Shortly after she sees a pair of shoes Mrs. Randolph has given Ocorge, and they remind her of the good woman's influence over the boy. fleorge points to the new truck muring along the road, and taking her gun sinshoots into the dynamite, exploding it before the truck reaches the spot. Later, Randolph's wife gets well, and is able to walk again. Through Johanna, Randolph gets riil of Juliet for ever, fn gratitude, Johanna determines that nothing shall cloud the happiness of the woman who has added so much to her | own. A well-selected programme pupports this film. There is a matinee today at 2.31). EMPIRE. PICTURE PALACE.

"Till-, LIFE OF GENERAL VILLA."', Prior to the outbreak of the Great European War, General Francisco Villa, the Mexican rebel leader, was one of the outsanding figures in the history of the times and the management, of tile Empire Theatre undoubtedly shows enterprise in securing the remarkable picture bv the Majestic compnnv entitled "The Life of General. Villa." 'The film, which is SXOO feet long, will be screened to-night for the first time. It must. surely be voted one of the most extraordinary life stories ever shown in moving pictures. It was photographed by special arrangement with the famous Mexican and contains several real battle scenes, j with the general himself figuring prominently, and worked into the tragic story of his life. Years apt) l'ancho Villa was a young rancher, and the story opens with scenes of his home, where: dwelt his two sisters. An officer of the Federal army betrayed the young sister! and Villa vowed vengeance on all mankind. Leading his ranch, he went to the inountians and became leader first oi a small band of bandits, and subsequently of a great revolutionary army. His march against the Federals was one long succession of victories, and in the picture le is shown face to face on the battlefield with one of the men who assisted in the abduction of his sister. Villa shoots this villain with his own hand, and later the actual betrayer meets similar fate at the hands of the. terrible revolutionary general, who. from being an outlaw with a price upon bis own head, becomes with the swing of the war pendulum, the conqueror of the whole Federal army and Government. A strong supporting programme includes the "Gaunioiit Graphic." an edition full of war news with views of the Tsar, the King of Belgium, and Lord Kitchener. "Back to Simple Life" is an amusing comedy, and "A Halt in the Jungle" is a kineniacolor scenic of interest "Off at Last" shows our soldiers leaving New Zealand.