AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

.. . WIRTH BROS.' CIRCuS. A large audience was present last evening to welcome Wirtli Bros.' Circus, and though it may be difficult nowadays for the circus proprietor to furnish anything that impresses itself as markedly new, it is a safe assumption that last night's patrons were surprised and delighted at the calibre of the show. Wirtli Bros, are maintaining the reputation they have so long enjoyed as showmen, and the present circus, in several respects, marks an advance on anything the firm Ims hitherto submitted. The programme is a long one, and introduces new features that make it distinctive. First in point of novelty is the performance of Captain Frank Huling's seals and sea lions. These creatures are certainly wonderful, and their capabilities show that, even with material which we ar» prone to regard as unpromising, there are possibilities we had never dreamed/Of. These creatures ride horses, operate various musical instruments, juggle with bells and other articles, and go through a host of tricks to which they seem poorly adapted. The spectacle of a seal propped on a chair, noisily clapping its flippers, while another balances % ball 011 its nose, is, to say the least, remarkable. All sizes of balls, from the size of a cricket ball to spheres nearly 2ft in diameter, are dealt with, and the an'imals toss them, one to another, always catching them and balancing them on tlia points of their snouts. One seal, while thus balancing, rolls over on the stage, mounts a ladder, waddles across the stage, and climbs on a chair, and so forth. The band provided by these creatures is surely as remarkable as anything one could imagine, and the achievement of one in playing a tune on a set of bells seems almost uncannily clever. The act all through is a remarkable one, full of surprises, and if the circus provided nothing else this turn alone would be worth going to see. The performing lions and elephants are well trained, and the performance of a big bear kept the place in roars of laujrhtcr. This creature waddles about «k its hind legs just like a ludicrous old man, and, like an old man, partook eagerly of tile contents of a bottle, and became very "intoxicated." The Royal Wirtli Family gave ample evidence of the abilities on horseback, and Miss May Wirtli proved herself worthy of all the plaudits that have been lavished on her., There se?ms to be nothing she cannot do while riding, and the apparent ease with which she threw somersaults on the back of a galloping horse earned her deserved approbation. 11. Mamiev made an initial appearance here in an exhibition of mock cavalry riding, and proved himself a wonderful rider. He assumed all sorts of attitudes on the horse's back, clinging to its sides a nd beneath it. and the audience marvelled at his daring. There are many other good feats of horsemanship shown by other members of the company, and incidentally there are many horses that excite admiration. Of these Wirtli Bros.' black stallion Bobs is notable, not only a3 a splendid equine specimen, but a 6 a well-trained performer. The Loretta Twins, lady horizontal bar performers, gave a very clever exhibition, and the trapeze work of Emestonian and Novikoff ("the human aeroplanes') is sensational and clever enough for the most exacting. Louvain, an aerial wire expert, gave a splendid exhibition of tight-wire walking. He seemed very much of home on the wire, and gave the audience plenty of thrills. The clowns are good and plentiful, and a Charlie Chaplin clown was the cause of much merriment. As noted, the programme is a long one ,and it is impossible here to notica all the attractions. People cannot do better than see for themselves and the huge tent sliould be crowded at the matinee to-day and at the last performance to-night. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE.

A splendid new programme will lie screened at tlie Empire Picture Palace to-day at both afternoon and evening performances, embracing a wide variety of subjects. "The 'Leap from an Ocean Liner," a thrilling melodrama, stated to be a revelation in sensational scenes, will head the hill. It is the ninth episode of "The Million Dollar Mystery." The Black Hundred are again on the trail. Having sueeeded in making Florence believe her sweetheart. Norton, false, the conspirators strive desperately to gpt Florence into their power and to rid themselves of Norton's presence in she game. They secure a medical certificate, signed, under threats, by two doctors to the effect that Florence is insane, cleverly nbduct her right under the riofie of the police, and carry her aboard an. outgoing ocean liner. This episode thrills with startling action. Florence, when far out at sea. leaps from the ocean liner in the dead of night, battles '.will the waves, is finally rescued by a fish inn schoono". and carried to the humble fishcrim... S home. But her niind is a blank. Another picture that will materially help to add to the entertaining nature of the programme is "Big Gun Manufacture." In this series many previous "secrets" are laid bare. Details ill this intricate work, which have been jealously guarded for years, are now clearh- pictured ;\nd will prove quite an education. Other films include "Hearts to Let" (a pathetic playlet hv Vitagraph nlavers) and "Those Fatal Fingerprints" (a rare comedy). "Billie's Dehut" will feature Billie Beeves, while "The Highlander Milk Industry" (showing the manufacture of this nutritive food), and the latest "Pat.hc War fiazette" contain much that is instructive.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Tliero will be the usual afternoon matinee at the Theatre Royal to-day, ;n addition to the evening performance, when the current series of splend'd photo-plnys will be presented for the last time. Lovers of good drama ■.viil find much to appreciate in the Vitagraph Broadway feature, entitled "The Man from the Desert," also another two-act feature, entitled "The Doll House Mystery." This is a particularly charming story, made doubly interesting by the quaint and clever acting of two young children who play the principal leads. The "Pathe Gazette" (Australian edition) is a rare number, while excellent comedy is supplied bv "Too Much Elixir of Life'' and "In Zuiiiland." Last, but by no means least, is the eighth episode of the thrilling serial photoplay, "The Master Key," which advances the storv a further stage in the usual dramatic and sensational style of previous chapters. "THE LOST PARADISE." Mr. H. B. Warner, the eminent dramatic favorite, will make his first appearance before the motion picture public of New Plymouth at the Theatre Royal next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Famous Players Film Co.'s latest six-reel masterpiece, entitled "The Lost Paradise." This play is conceded to be

the greatest drama of capital ami labor ever written. Mr. Warner's striking personality, and tlie distinctive individuality with which he invests every dramatic role lie assumes,' have maiie him one of the most popular stars on the !i nerican stage to-day. ''The T.ost Paradise" is a oowerful pictorial argument 011 behalf of the oppressed laborers who lives build the wealth of nation*, whose tears are crystallised in the jew els of the rich . The inspiration of the original play was suggested by the army of tried toilers who spin blindly on in the dark. Mr. Warner portrays the role of a man who strives to reconcile (lie contending elements, and who is willing to sacrifice name and fame for the woman he loves.