AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. | The large number of picture-goers who attended the initial screening of the new programme at the Tlieatre Royal last night were treated, to a delightful evening's entertainment. Several star films were shown, the best of those being the Vitagraph Broadway feature, entitled "The Man from the Desert." in which Miss Edith Storey and other popular artists excelled themselves in portraying the following ten6e story:—After three years- prospecting in the desert, John Warington ?jul Richard Spencer, partners, decide to rail it quits. They had accumulated 40,000t101. in gold dust. After dividing it up, Spencer prepares to start east, flreed takes possession of him, and during the night he rolls Warrington, taking with him both pack mules and all the water, leaving John with not a shell in his revolver and a note saying that when he goes mad from thirst, the quickest way is—the gun. But Warrington does not die, but is picked up by Bill, a wandering prospector, and later the two open up a rich lode of gold. Years later. John, still harboring thoughts of vengeance upon Spencer, tells the old miner lie is going east after his man. John goes to Chicago and there meets Spencer's daughter, falls in love and locates Spencer himself. Learning that Spencer is plunging in wheat stocks,Warrington kills the man, financially. Then ho finds Spencer is the father of the girl he loves, ,and the hollowness of rc-'cnge is brought homo to him in bitterness. Spencer, as a last resort, appeals in person to John (who is operating under an assumed name) for a time extension. Then Warrington reveals his identity, and with hitter irony points to the big revolver and the one bullet, telling Spencer, "That's the easiest way!" Fortunately, at this juncture the girl softens Warrington's heart, and he forgives his enemy. Other Alms .include the eighth episode of "The Master Key," "The Dallheu.se Mystery" (two-act drama), "Pathe Gazette" (tspical) and a trio of rare comedies, all of which will be repeated to-night.

BIG CIRCUS FILM AT THE EMPIRE TO-NIGHT. "The Lure of the Circus," a thrilling Nordiek photo-drama, which incidentally depicts items in the performance of one of the "greatest shows on earth." will be presented to-night at the Empire Picture Palace for the last time. This unique film formed the star attraction last night, and mot with hearty approval frem a large audience. The production is well up to the high standard set by the popular Nordisk Co., the acting and photographic effects being particularly clever. The story is wholesome and interesting, whilst the glimpses given of the big circus performance reveals something quite new and novel . Another "feature" picture is "The Starring of. Flora Fincburch." in which the Vitagraph Comedy Company appear in a merry mood, particularly so Miss Flora Finch. A legacy, a good write-up in the village paper foj - her recitation of good old "Curfew shall not ring tonight," and the flattering words of a rascal, start Flora on a tour with her own dramatic company. The show is awful. Flora's acting is a screaming burlesque, and not having a pull with the editors in the new towns, the show receives awful roasts and finally bursts up. Flora, money gone, is obliged to tramp back to the'old home and Hiram, her pnee-scorned sweetheart. This iilm is extremely funny. Other good items are: "Across the Great Divide" (Edison drama), "Topical War Budget." "Trentino" (scenic), "Don't Jump at Conclusions" (comedy), and a thrilling railroad romance of the "Hazards of Helen" series, entitled "The Perilous Chance." The orchestral music is a treat

WIRTHS' CIRCUS. The big shows of Wirtli Bros., Ltd., which are announced to visit New Plymouth to-day and to-morrow, are a striking refutation of the saying, "If you see one circus von see the lot." One does not hear it said of the theatres, picture shows and music halls, and yet tlip circus ring and stage naturally Jend themselves to a greater variety of production than any of these. A striking instance is the London Hippodrome, one of the most popular amusement houses in the great metropolis. There ring and stage are combined with great success, and their methods of production have been closely-studied by representatives of Australasia's bigccst circus, with the result that everything is entirely up-to-date, and the -wonderful star acts they are ■ bringing, with them are shown at their best advantage. On the present tour a- programme of exceptional merit is being presented. The Royal Wirtli family and Captain Huling's performing seals are at the head of the bill. The former have just returned home after a tour round the world, lasting five vear-t. With them is Hiss May Martin Wirth, whose career as a rider has been triumphant. She is an Australian girl, who received her early training with the Wirtli Bros.' show. She svas never happier than- when working with tlip horses, and is building a sure foundation for her career as a rider. The result of this early training was that when she performed for the first time in America she created qiute a furore. The act in which the family appear is called "A Circus Modern," and is a delightful number. Captain Huling's seals are. without doubt, the most wonderfully trained animals that have ever been presented to an Australian public. Thev juggle with balls and bars in a marvellous manner, walk the tight rope and ride, a ponv, juggling the while. They also play tunes on a set. of electric bells, and then thev all combine in "The Seal Band." which is excruciatingly funny Their intelligence is almost human. ' They make a big hit wherever they appear. The Lcretta twins are two lady bar performers. Their performance is graceful and clever, and they accomplish feats that few men can equal. Louvain. on the aerial wire, has manv new things to show, and the Ernestonians and Xovikofl's, in their aerial act, are clever bevond the ordinary. Mussa Marnier, the Russian Cossack, gives a graphic exposition of the Cossack modes of warfare and does wonderful tilings while his horse is at the gallop. The huge zoo is open from 4 to 5 daily, at a nominal fee, and an interesting sight is the feeding of the seals and sea-lions.