ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WIRTH’S CIRCUS. After an interval of two years, Wirth’s Circus is due in New Plymouth on Saturday, February 25, for one night only, when, it is confidently claimed, all the previous wonderful on- i tertainments given by that huge and j ever-welcome combination, will be sur- j passed. Wirth’s are always breaking their own records and on the present I tour they are more than keeping up that ' reputation. Early in 1921, Mr. George' Wirth left Australia, for America and Europe in search of the latest novelties, and succeeded in making, among others, two epoch-marking engagements of artists who will be seen here with the big show. First of all, there is Alfred Clark, the acknowledged world’s champion trick rider, and as prominent an artist in the circus world on the other side of the globe as, say, Mel'ba is in the musical world.- The second star attraction is a sensational “flying” act by the Four Aerial Lloyds, noted American performers, who . hold audiences breathless and spellbound during their daring evolutions away up on the top of the huge tent. Many animal acts are seen from time to time, but the most delightful that has ever come to this part of the world is Apdale’s animal circus within a circus.i A baboon comedian is the most amusing circumstance conceivable, and while the dogs, bears, monkeys and ant-eater all ’’splay exceptional skill, perhaps the outstanding feature is the zest with which they all enter into the performance, apparently enjoying themselves quite as much as do the admiring audience. Apart from Mr. Clark, the bill is strong in riding acts, with Miss Maisie Wirth as principal equestrienne. Then there is the Royal Uy eno troupe of Japanese acrobats, a score of -Arabs whose whirlwind tumbling has been the sensation of Australia during the past six months, La Belle Onra, the queen of the trapeze, Miss Ethel in a beautiful .serpentine dance on horseback, and a dozen other acts of which lack of space precludes mention here. Of course, the menagerie is coming too. All the animals therein are at present in exceptionally fine condition, the seven lions being the most perfect specimens of their kind in Australasia. 'These will be on view from 4 to 5 in the afternoon as well as before the- evening performance.

EVERYBODY’S. “HALF A CHANCE” MONDAY AND TUESDAY. Mahlon Hamilton will be the big attraction at 'Everybody’s Theatre on Monday in “Half a Chance,” from the well-known novel by Frederick C. Isham. It is a story of disappointment, defeat, strife and hate, then attainment, success, victory, love. It pulsates with a sympathy attuned to your heart throbs. Its action stretches from the depths to the heights of the social scale —from the dives -and prize rings of the Barbary coast to a shipwreck in mid-cfean, a lonely island, and back to civilisation, the law. and high life. ' “Half a Chance” enjoys popularity, for it is the sort of story that appeals to the masses —the story of a man who, sunken to the depths, batters his way through almost insurmountable obstacles with the sheer force of physical dominance, determination and will power. Lillian Rich gives a beautiful, sympathetic interpretation to her role of Jocelyn Wray, played at the age of ten by little Mary McAllister, one of the screen's best loved child actresses. In addition there will be the big special Larry Semon comedy “The Bakery,” said to be easily Semen's best comedy to date. Box plans are at Collier’s. LAST NIGHT OF “JIM THE PENMAN.” “Jim the Penman,” concluding tonight at Everybody’s, features Lionel Barrymore in one of the most powerful character roles in which he has yet appeared. “Jim the Penman - ’ is the story of a young bank cashier who takes his first plunge into forgery to save the girl he loves from disgrace; the lure of wealth and fear of prison drive him to join a band of international wild cattera whose manipulations make him rich; the law closing in at last; his wife’s and his daughter's happiness are at stake, then he finds a wav out in a climax that will’ startle the onlooker. A big Pathe comedy, gazette, travel and “Lure of the Circus” are also on the bill. The matinee to-day commences at 2 p.m. t THE PEOPLE’S. ELAINE II MMERSTEIN TN “HANDCUFFS AND KISSES.” Doris Walton is falsely charged with arson by her stepmother, who has already succeeded in appropriating the girl’s fortune, and now plans to keep her out of the way so that she cannot discover the truth. Doris subsequently is placed in the Bedford reformatory, where she is grossly ill-treated. She is final’v the cause of a mutiny ■which brings about an investigation. Doris runs away, and the district attorney, believing her innocent, takes her to his own home instead df sending her back to the reformatory. But Doris, overhearing a conversation which tells her

that her friend is risking her reputation to shield her,''leaves him. She meets a woman who engages her as a companion. It is not long 'before Doris discovers the notorious character of her benefactor but when the woman threatens her with handcuffs again unless she weds a millionaire. who has been wooing her, Doris decides to quit. She is about to be forced into this marriage, when Peter, the district attorney, discovers her, and ikes her home as his wife. The bill includes gazette, two-reel comedy and • The Branded Four.” The matinee today commences at 2 p.m.