ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1922, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WIRTH’S WONDERS. UNPRECEDENTED GALAXY OF TALENT. Due to appear in New Plymouth tonight (Saturday, February 25), for one night only, near railway station, Wirth’s circus comes with the triumphs of a record Sydney and Melbourne season full and fresh upon it. Australia’s own show has been making and breaking records for many years, but all were eclipsed at Easter in Sydney and Melbourne at Cup time. There, as here, the name of “Wirth’s” is sufficient to attract old and young from all quarters. In fact, this is the only show in Australasia that would be adequately “billed” by the appearance on the hoardings of one word—■ the porprietors’ name. However, its phenomena; success this season will be readily understood when the vast combination visit® thifi town, for the programme as replete with the finest procurable acts of every description, and Wirth Bros, have certainly every justification for announcing this season's show as “better than ever.”

Early in 1921, Mr. George Wirth left Australia for America and Europe in search of the latest noveltie®, 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, Melba 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. A baboon comedian is the most amusing circumstance conceivable, and while the dogs, bears, monkeys and ant-eaters all display 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 Uyeno 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. LAST NIGHT OF “PASSERS-BY.”

Go to your window and watch the pas-sers-by. What do you see? Just men and women dressed more or less to a common plan? Or do you see the joy or sorrow, the happiness or pain, the greed of generosity, the licentiousness of chastity which life concealed within ? These suggestions gave Herbert Rawlinson the matter for writing one of his most famous [ plays “Passers-by,” which concludes at j Everybody’s to-night. Herbert Rawlinson I in the leading role gives a strong charac- I terisation of the man separated from the I girl he loves for six long years until fate I brings them together by one of her strange moves in the game of life. The appeal of “Passers-By” is strong and irresistible. The bill includes gazette, comedy, travel, and “Lure of the Circus.” Box plans are at Collier’s, and the matinee to-day commences at 2 p.m. “MOTHER O’ MINE,” MONDAY AND TUESDAY NEXT. There is, magic to the very name; a subtle delicacy begetting a story that pries deep into the heart of things, revealing that definable everything which governs the lives of peoples of the world. For in Thomas H. Ince’s dramatic thunderbolt, “Mother o’ Mine,” every emotion known to manhood and womanhood is eloquently brought to the surface in an artistic creation, that once again gives homage to the inimitable handiwork of genius. The narrative of “Mother o’ Mine” is a verily amazing leaf from the ledger of life. Thera is nothing that is tepid, but everything that is aglow, and pulsating and humanly sympathetic in this simple, yet tremendous, story of a mother’s divine devotion and sacrifice for a boy, her son—her treasured flower of life’s stormy way. The action and the astounding situations make their inroads on the human mind and heart and feeling, and leave you wishing, hoping, praying that this youth of worldly experience shall crush his haunting nemesis and emerge forth—blessed with all that mankind has to offer, or receive—the faith and trust of those that have played the game—on the square. So in “Mother o’ Mine,” you shall see, and you shall know, a production which swings the pendulum of fate, creating in itself, and expounding into the world at large, a panorama as beautiful as it is powerful, and as sweet as it is tragic. Just that! The box plans* are now open at Collier’s.

THE PEOPLE’S. “JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR.” After all, the good old straight drama affords the most satisfying form of theatrical entertainment with either the stage or screen for its medium. A definite example of this is provided by the latest Selznick picture, “Just Outside The Door,” which opens to-day at. the matinee at 2 p.m. With Edith Hallor as the star, and a supporting cast including J. Barney Sherry, Betty Blythe, Arnold Gregg, and others of equal note, the players unfold a story that holds the attention from the very start. The star has a most appealing role of a girl who puts up a game fight to save' her brother from prison and herself from dishonor, and the author has provided her with some intense emotional scenes which she carries with a spirit, that compels admiration. The bill includes gazette, two-reel comedy, and the dramatic conclusion of the “Branded Four.”