AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10077, 26 August 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

A crowded house greeted tlie new progiamme at the Foresters' Hall last night. Patrons jjre now gettinothe full benefit of Mr John Pane's arrangement for the absolute cream of the film market. Nothing better could be conceived than the excellent series shown last night, and there are no less than eight of the popular Pathe coloured pictures. • The star of the evening was undoubtedly "Lieut. Rose, R.N." This picture is a magnificent piece of stage-craft and clever acting, and the patriotism of the audience was • fully roused, and culminated in vociferous cheering. Lieut. Rose is on duty on his shipj H.M.S. Dreadnought, and the searchlight reveals a schemer and his confederates. The Lieutenant is sent ashore to investigate, and is captured by a foreign spy, and he and his sole attendant are imprisoned. The spy disguises himself in the captured sailor's uniform, and gains a footing on the warship, and proceeds to do his nefarious work. Lieut. Rose discovers plans of his ship, and the details show where, bombs are to be placed" to destroy tlie guns; He manages to escape, and swims to his ship and his subsequent adventures prove very exciting, and the spy is at last captured, and a splendid picture showing the bombardment of the place where the Lieutenant was imprisoned ends a first-class piece of cinematography. Th remainer of the programme is of very high merit, but space will not permit of a full review. This series will be produced again this evening, and should draw another large attendance.

TOWN HALL PICTURES. Picture-lovers will have a chance of witnessing a beautifully-selected lot , of films at the Town Hall Pictures to-night. On Wednesday night, when shown for the first time, they were well received, one of the dramas,, "Anarchists on Board," depicts anarchists laying an infernal machine under a bed, with the intention of blowing up the vessel. He is frustrated in his attempt by the use of wireless telegraphy. "The Light that Came," and "Arnold the Traitor'*" are dramas of the finest conception. "The Jealous Doll" is a children's comedy, which all children will en- ; joy. This wil be shown at the matir nee on Saturday. "The Bookmaker's Revenge" (or Max Linder on Skates), shows this clever actor in a new and interesting Character. The Beauty Competition is gaining interest every night, and the public is waxing quite enthusiastic. So as to enable children to see the competitors, the management has decided to screen the photos at the matinee on Saturday afternoon. Parents or children washing to vote lat the matinee can do so by paying the usual prices. In future children attending the matinee will be allowed in the dress circle, where they can sit in ease and comfort. . - .

ALADDIN. At the Town Hall to-morrow morning, at 8.30, the plans will be opened by Miss Rive for the first and only representation to be given here on. \Tednesday next, of J. C. Williamson's greatest of all pantomime successes, "Aladdin." It is stated that the numerous enquiries'- which have been made in reference to the booking arrangements point to a record demand for seats. In order to obviate any crushing as far as possible, the management will have in attendance from an early hour a staff of ushers, whose duty it will be to issue coupons, so that those attending earliest shall have first choice of seats Everyone knows that the modern pantomime in its co'ursp of evolution has come to include everything that has hit the public taste or amused the public leisure in the course of a twelve month. Within the sweeping folds of its goVgeous drag-net are to be found the tune of the moment, the dance, the topical allusion, the dialogue, the stage picture, the ballet, and the crowning miser sfcene, that between them make up what will not be found in any single drama, opera, or vaudeville entertainment. One of the biggest features in "Aladdin" is "The Living Flag of Australia."Stage mechanism, it is stated, is brought to a high pitch of perfection in the production of this effect. The .climax of pantomimic splendour is the magnificent chrysanthemum fete I of Japan, will the floral prcession, in which irises, sunflowers, cherry blossom, poppies, and chrysanthemums are represented. As in previous J. C. Williamson pantomimes, there is abundant amusement provided for children. Principally among these items are "The Donkey and the Demon," "The Babies ana the Bottle 0," "The Billikens Ballet," and the Japanese doll dance. Positively only one representation can be given of "Aladdin." Mr Williamson's advancq army of mechanics will arrive here to-morrow, to make the necessary arrangements for the big effects which are introduced in the production.

SKATING CARNIVAL. , t For the Fancy Dress Skating Carnival, to be held on Monday evening next, special seating accommodation is being provided for onlookers on the stage, as well as in the dress circle, and thereshould be a recorl attendance. The exhibition of trick and fancy skating to be given by four little children, Misses Marjone Hughan, Gwen Berrill, and Masters Rive ahd Montie Berrill, is, we understand, both pretty, and exciting, there being the element of novelty in their performance, with a spice of danger, in the concluding feat of skating up a 12-inch board. At the recent Carnival, held in Carterton, it was voted the geni of the. evening.' Entries for the different competitions will close at 8 p.m. on the night of the carnival, with the manager, Mr W. J. Berrill, at the hall.