ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 10 February 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. The star picture at the Empire and a' , the Theatro Royal is of particular in , tcrest just now, as it deals with tli , methods of spies in obtaining milit.av ■ secrets from foreign powers. The fibi is an adaptation of Max Pemberton's j military drama, "Kronstadt," and the most interesting portions from an excitI ing story have been filmed. The prin- ; eipal character, a young girl, is engaged • in securing plans of the Russian fort- | ress, and while so doing she falls in ; love with a Russia n officer. While 'en- ! gaged in a particularly hazardous en- | terprise, she is captured by the same I oflicer, and is sentenced to imprisonment jin the dungeons of Kronstadt. The of- , fleer, however, decides to sacrifice his country to his love, and the two escape in his yacht, eventually reaching Paris. There the man is captured by the Rus- | sian Secret Service agents, but as a • dramatic climax, the girl secures a pardon for him, by returning valuable secrets. The whole film is well produced, the scenes of military life being of great interest at the present time. The com-! | edy element is supplied by a Keystone | comedy, "Mabel's latest Prank," featur- . ing Mabel Norniand, in an exciting comI edy-drama. in which the too-ardent at- | tentions of a married man lead him I into a series of tight corners. "Wireless | from the War" is another series of anius- . ing cartoons, dealing with probable events the battlefields. "The Gauniont Graphic" contains some new scenes from the front, including pictures of the German occupation of Antwerp, take n by an English operator at the risk of his life. Other films shown, were " A storm at Sea," drama; and "Ladies' War" (comedy). The programme is of great interest. It will be screened again to-night at the Empire only for the last time. A complete change of programme is announced for both theatres to-morrow. "SAX TOY." The New Plymouth Operatic Society announce that they will make their final appearance with this delightful opera j on Wednesday, February 24, the first. | night of the Taranaki Agricultural | j Show. Needless to say. there will be ! another packed house to witness this I j talented society's production, and those | | wishing to secure good seats should I I note that the box plan opens at Col- I lier's on Thursday, February 18, at 8.30 a.m. At the last rehearsal there was a full muster of principals and chorus, and, considering the long spell at holi-dty-time the members have been forced to take, the rehearsal went with a swing that augurs well for the final performance. VAN HECK'S CONCERT TO-NIGHT. The concert at the Good Templar Hall to-night by Van Heck's Orchestra and his very talented assistants promises to be a treat to all music-lovers, not only of New Plymouth, but to the visitors of all the surrounding districts. Mr. Van ITeck, as conductor of his orchestra or as a violinist, we need hardly mention, as his capabilities are too well known to need further mention. He, is playing a very fine romance of passion and distress, namely, "Malinconia," by Bohm, and his supporters (of whom Mr. Van Heck has many) will no doubt be very glad of his reappearance on the New Plymouth concert platform. Mrs. Massey, of Stratford, who is delighting the audience with her beautiful voice, has on previous occasions proved her popularity as n very refined and cultured artiste. Mr. Brian Malone, also of Stratford, who has just returned from Samoa, and is shortly going to the front, whither his father and two brothers have already preceded him, will sing a: beautiful song of which the New Plymouth people will bo jealous when he .".gain dons khaki to sing to our forces. Messrs Nippert Bros., who are great favorites on the concert platform, and Mr. Lambert, who proved his voice in "San Toy," are certainly a great drawto the very fine concert as advertised in our columns. ===== j