ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 1 May 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE COURT CARDS." "Absolutely the best company of its kind that I have seen and heard in Australasia." Thus does that most trenchant of all critics, the Triad, comment upon the talented English musical comedy company which Edgar Warwick is touring round the British Empire under the quaint title of "The Court Cards." Such criticism, too, is justified, for the personnel of the "Cards" includes, only artistes of talent who have already made names for themselves in that metropolis of entertainment, London. They are now bound on a globe-encircling tour, and everywhere else, as here, they have been hailed as "absolutely the best.". Nothing to give the greatest pleasure or the maximum of amusement is missing, from the cleverly arranged programmes, of real novelties which the "Cards" can stage in so great variety. Humor, and clean, sparkling, new humor at that, is supplied in a delightfully unique style,' artistic vocal work is there in plenty, for all four voices are most capably represented, there is the splendid innovation of delightful instrumental items, and above all there is the great outstanding feature that lifts the "Court Cards" to the level above anything that has' preceded them —the wonderful perfection of their most entertaining concerted work. Each of the many quaintly costumed and elaborately staged scenas of the "Cards" is a feast for both eyes and ear. Music, lyrics, and dances combine to make them really miniature comic operas. But where critics are universal in their praises it is of little use to elaborate further. All who have seen the "Court Cards" have been charmed with them. Local audiences will have the same experience on Monday and Tuesday, May 10 and 11. It is safe to predict a rush for scats when. the plan opens at Collier's at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

EMPIRE PICTURES. ■— I "The Brute," a powerful study by tliej Famous Players Company, and featur-j ing Malcolm Williams, will be presented] at the Empire Picture Palace this afternoon and evening. The drama is full of touching incidents from start to finish, j In witnessing the production one could i easily believe that the whole of the char- ] actors were appearing on the stage and; not on the screen. The film, which is 4500 feet in length, occupies the whole | of this second part of the programme. "The Brute," as he is called by name, but not in nature, is a self-made man,] wrapped up in bis work, but loving his pretty and delicate wife and his little; son with all the ardor of his nature. t\v old suitor, now rich, appears on the scene and is making love to "The Brute's"" wife, when he suddenly dies, leaving his fortune to the wife. How slie realises that she loves her husband more than any other man, and how it ■all ends, is vividly portrayed in the further development of the drama. The supporting programme is a capital one, and includes "Winter Logging in Maine," "The School Teacher and the Waif,"' ' and "Hello, Mabel!" a Keystone comedy, j in which Mabel Normand plays the part ! of the telephone girl in an hotel. Patlie's I War Gazette is well worth seeing, as it I gives splendid views of Russia's army lin the field. Seats may be reserved at | the Theatre, or ring 305.

ROYAL PICTURES. "Never Again" is the title of the star comedy showing at the Royal to-day at 2.30 aiid again at 8 o'clock tonight, and it promises to be one of the funniest comedies over screened in this popular photoplay house. "On Suspicion" is the star drama. It is a story of an innocent girl who has to go through the terrible "third degree" used by the American police to obtain evidence. This drama is 20()l)ft. in length and commands youl attention throughout. "Dolly of the Dailies". Series is continued this week in "An All'air of Dress," third instalment. A number of other films make up a select programme.