AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 3 December 1912, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE MYSTERIOUS JANSEN.

; At the Town Hall, Mastorton, on Thursday and Friday next, December sth and 6th, tho great Janson, supported by his own great company, will appear. They have had a splendid tour through the Orient, and more than one amusing thing occurred. When they wore in India a wealthy Rajah wanted his family to attend a performance. Well, that ) chap's wives numbered 287, so it "was a large family, indeed. The Rajah wrote and requested tho company to I eomo and stay at his palace and bring along their paraphernalia. They have about 200 packages with them, but lie promised a theatre for them, so i they accepted the tempting offer. , Next day they travelled into tho in- , terior, drawn by four big camels, and j upon arrival at the Rajah's home were escorted into a big building cont structed of bamboo. This was the new theatre, and it seated 300 people. When they gave their performance the theatre was crowded to th© doors, but as every act went by there was a painful silence. Even Jansen's great illusion "A Phantom Princess" was received without acclamation or a sound of approval. Finally Jansoti approached the Rajah and asked why the audience was silent and said it was the "coldest" assemblage he had ever played before. "Thfere is no applause," ho said, "the house is as dead as a morgue." Tho Rajah hastily explained, "That is my fault. 1 told all my wives before you came that if anyone made the least noise while your performance was going on I would punish them." The applause after that was vociferous. The Masterton box plan and day sales are at the Dresden.

MASTERTON PICTURE COMPANV

Another large and interestenco witnessed the second s-

of the current programme at tho '1 •*':.. Hall las-t night. The final production affording a last opportunity to see the famous play "The Unwritten Law," will be shown to-night. Thh; sensational item lias aroused marked comment in the town, and will doubtloss be the subject of discussion for some time to come. "A Burglar'for .a Night" is a-somewhat homely drama which, thanks to the devotion of an intelligent, faithful sweetheart, is narrowly saved from being a tragedy.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURED

GREAT LION DRAMA

I The large audience at the Foresters' Hall last evening had an excellent programme placed before them, and one that suited their tastes, judging by the applause which greeted each item. The- pictures were screened in a faultless style 'and the music, played by the orchestra, was delightful. The programme contains two especially fine subjects, via., "The Fire of Life" and "Arabian Tr"achcry." The former is a very interesting and pathetic story, 3000 ft long. The other study was "Abarian Treachery," an exciting and sensational drama in which several lions played a prominent part. The scenes are very realistic and thrilling and daring in the extreme. The remaining drv.. mas, particularly the A.B. picture: "Change of Spirit," in which Dolly Nicholson takes the leading role, are capital pictures and were thoroughly enjoyed. The comics* and comedies were very laughable subjects. The programme will be repeated for the last time to-night.