ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1915, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

J. a WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. In organising the new English musical comedy company which are to be seen in New Plymouth on Monday evening next, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., 'had in view the retaining of it as a permanent organisation in Australasia for the production of high-class musical comedy. Sinleo the departure of the comic opera company four or five years ago, a gap lias been left in the theatrical ranks, so far as a provision for this class of entertainment is concerned. Those who saw the clever performances of that company and the manifold delightful pieces they played, will rejoice that Australia's leading theatrical managers have acted on the above determination, and have got together a company which according to all accounts is one of the most brilliant, individually and collectively, that has yet appeared on the colonial stage. And it is also worthy of note that their appearance here is but the just recognition from the Williamson firm of the generous support always accorded whatever attraction they have previously sent us. T3ie obligation is therefore confessedly a pleasingly mutual one, and on the part of the public being that they are enabled to see the best companies and plays that money and enterprise can secure, and that of the management being for the bestowal of the heartiest of patronage manifested by crowded house. With a continuance of such a state of affairs both parties will be highly satisfied, and there is no reason to suspect that there will be an divergence from the rule on the forthcoming occasion, but rather that, if anything, it will be accentuated, judging on the one hand from the appearance of the box plan at Collier's and on the other from the high enconiums bestowed on the performance by the company in Auckland of "High Jinks," whicli is to be staged here, and which i» designated as the finest musical comedy the English stage has seen for years. With the exception of Marie Eaton and Dorothy Brunton, who have been seen here before, all the other artists were recently engaged in London for this production, and will be seen here for the first time. The company, numbering 90 people, will arrive from Auckland on Monday morning by the Earawa.

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL." The "Tell-tale Heart" and "Annabel Lee," the works of Edgar Allen Poe, liave been made the basis for a remarkable production by 1). W. Griffith, the man whose brnin3 are behind the Reliance and Majestic Companies. The film U entitled "Thou Shalt Not Kill," or "The Avenging Conscience," and will be featured on the new programme at the Empire, Which commences at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The story opens with a pathetic death-bed scene, in which a dying mother commits the care of her baby to an uncle. The baby, grown to manhood, falls in love with a beautiful girl whom he names Annabel Lee. The uncle disapproves and causes the lovers to part. The story shows how the young man was minded, in the bitterness of his disappointment, to murder his uncle (as did the character in the "Tell-tale Heart"). A vision comes to him in which he suffers all the mental torture of an actual murderer—a sudden awakening and the dream of violence flies from him. Other films on the programme will include the War Gazette, a beautifully colored scenic study, and a comical cartoon by the Chines Co. Usual prices prevail. Intending patrons should reserve their seats.

THE ROYAL. For to-day and to-night a strikingly attractive new lUt of subjects will hold the screen at the popular Theatre Royal. At the head of the strong collection will be the Reliance's powerful dramatic play, in two parts, "Eleven-thirty p.m.," described as one of the finest film productions secured for some time past, and is said to teem with effective episodes 'and situations. Big interest should centre in the French official film record of "The Great War," or "On the Spot in Alsace with the French Invasion." The reeord is 1500 ft long, and reproduces actual battle episodes on the heights of Alsace. The subject and treatment are both said to be excellent, and the pictures on the battlefield should come as a relief after the ordinary parades and pageants. Keystone's presentation, "Their Social Splash," is said to be one of their best productions. Selig's latest melodrama, "The Leopard's Lair," acted by Baby Wade and a strong cast, is said to be one of the most convincing dramas ever turned out by the Selig Company. Other films are: "The Great War," fourth series (interest), "When the Range Called" (Lubin drama), "The New Boarders" (Lubin comic) and "Topical Budget,"

'•THE MIKADO." The New Plymouth Operatic Society is making splendid ptogress with the preparation of "The Mikado," Which is to be produced at the Theatre Royal for three nights, commencing Tuesday, October 20. Despite thr evening chosen for the rehearsal in the Whiteley Hall being an awkward one for many of the members of the cliorm to attend, and in consequence theie being over a dozen members absent iif that department, the opera went with a' good swing on Thursday night, and afforded sufficient proof that a real musical treat is in store for theatregoers. Great we has been taken in the selection of principals for the various characters, an! the judgment of yiose responsible for them was amply justified by the result.) which have been attained. ''The Mikado/' abounds in all the necessary materials which go towards the making of a delightful evening's entertainment. There is an abundance of musical gems, which give the principal membcis of the society the opportunity to present their singing capabilities; there are a number of pretty and catchy airs, charming melodies, quaint and humorous situations; the humor is pure and wholesome and genuinely funny, the scenery is picturesque, the dresses magnificent, and the choruses and orchestral accompaniment arc a feature. Tiie tickets, which are now on sale, may be had from any of the members, ?nd bearing in mind that the society is staging the opera for the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers' Fi'iui, they should find a ready sale. Box plans will be opened at Collier's niuiic warehouse 011 Saturday, Octobci 23, at 8 a 111.