ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 283, 8 May 1915, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE COURT CAKUS. Xo company ran display all-round excellence unless each individual member is a thoroughly strong link in the chain of entertainment. This is where the '"Court Cards" assert their universally recognised superiority over all other mu.-.cal comedy companies. Kadi artist, with that hali-mark of experience, success on the Loudon stage, is a thorough specialist in his or her particular line, or, as an audience, soon discovers, in several lines. Conse<|iiently each member's contributions to what can only be described as an excellent two and a-hulf hours of mirth and melody are artistic treats, while the concerted work, whether grave, or gay, immediately impresses with its wonderful smooth perfection and the absence of effort needed iu the. delightfully humorous situations which the "Cards" seem to create on the spur of the moment. Everything is so natural, that an audience is charmed or convulsed without tile conviction that the performers are straining every nerve to produce this desired ell'ei't. (ine cannot but be struck (figuratively speaking, of courre) by the tremendous reserve force of the "Cards." Whether garbed in the quaint costume-, adopted for their opening numbers, or revering in the many characters which they from time to time impersonate, it will lie found that these wonderfully skilled performers always grip, and hold their listeners enthralled from rise to fall of ourtain. It is not therefore to be wondered at that one of the most .austie critics in the Dominion said of the "Cards": "This is absolutely the finest CM!]] panv of its kind that I have seen and heard in Australasia.'' Musical comedy as dealt out by this clever and cleverly-named company comes too seldom this way, and now approaches the only chance tor local theatre-goers to appreciate it to the full. The ''Court Cards" shortly depart for Australia, and their local season of "good-day and good-bye" is limited to two nights, commencing on Monday. The box p'an at Collier's will indicate how the '"Cards"' visit is being well anticipated. EMPIRE PICTURES.

Hie new programme to lie introduced at tlie matinee to-day contains special feature pictures. The star item is a \'itagraj.h military drama, "Warfare in tli" Air,' in which Oaston Mervale, a.n actor well known to Dominion audi- ( n.i'-i, through his association with the ■l. ('. Williamson companies, plays the part of Count Zurich, commander' of the Aviation Corps. Gaston Mervale first came to Now Zealand as a member of the -Julius Knight Co. He was the original Tigollinus in "Tin; Sign of tile Cross" in Australasia, and achieved fame as lilacl; Michael in "The Prisoner of Zenda." In "Warfare in the Air," a story of modern war, gigantic armies are engaged on either side. Gaston Mervale lias a part which gives liiui greaC ficcdom for the display of his unique abilities, and as commander of the (leet of aeroplanes he achieved success. Supporting the star is a glorious Keystone comedy, "The Masqueraders," in which the favorite picture comedian, Charles Chaplin, disguises himself as a ladv, and fools the people ail the lime. Scenes el the ";)rd X.Z. Expeditionaries, "Down the River Fiji" (scenic), "Wilie's Atli"etie Mamma" (comic), "From Peril to Peril" (drama). "Dick Potter's Wife" (comedy) and I'athe's Gazette make up a great programme. Intending patrons are advised to come early or reserve their scats.

ROYAL PICTURES. An unusually strong programme will he introduced to-day at 2.30 at the Theatre Royal. The star drama, "The Flouting Call," is a very thrilling production. The experience of a lady journalist in a. counterfeiter's den and her subsequent adventures will hold one's interest from beginning to end. Roscoe Ar-bu-cklc is featured in Keystone's comedy, "Fatty's .lonah Day." Other films coinprise: "The Little Captain" and "Putting One Over" (dramas), two comedies, an industrial and a very interesting study, entitled "Nature's Celebrities." The latest War Gazette is also included.