AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 16 April 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES. 1 TH I'j MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN O'CLOCK EXPRESS." To-night picture patrons will be presented with a most superb selection in the change at the T.P. Electric Theatre, which includes two of the latest hig photo-plays. "The Mystery of the "o'clock Express" is a Ion}! photo-play of 2.500 feet, showing how Lady Fairfax receives a letter I'rem her sister, who is ill and alone. Her daughter's fiance offers to drive ; her to her sister's house in his auto, j Thev ai l ive, and Lady Fairfax finding Iter sifter a little'better, spends hours with her, but when they decide to return, the chauffeur informs William that the car. lias !>i- ken down. Lady Fairfax decides to return by the 7 o'clock express, ; ,ihl is driven to the station, taking her seat in an empty first-class cari:a<ie. A few minutes before the ■start another passenger geta in and takes the seat opposite. William, at tlie last moment, decides to return by the same-train, and manages to l scramble in while it is moving out of the station. At 12 o'clock that night Lady Fairfax has not returned. Her husband a.nd daughter are terribly anxious . A porter brings a letter, requesting Fairfax to go at once to the station —the body of his wife has .been found on the line— she was murdered or committed suicide. Next day Nat Pinkerton, the detective takfV up the case. Then follow some exciting and sensational events. "Fra Diavolo" is the great sensational Solax drama in three spools totalling over 3000 feet. It is a splendid drama. Accompanying these leading star photo-plays are the dramas "Captured by Bedouins" and "The Mayor from Ireland." Scenic studies include "Andella" and ' 'Through Greece.'' 1 "The Honeymoon Trip" is a screaming comedy a.nd our old friend Hawkeye appears as a showman, in which he hajs a very funny part. »

TOWN HALL PICTURES.

AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME, j The current programme shown by, the Masterton Picture and Entertainment Company was concluded last evening and was highly appreciated by the large audience present. Tonight the management will stage something entirely new to Masterton picture lovers. The programme introduces 'Several rparvellously arranged films by the most successful and up-to-date companies. The star attraction is a fascinating production entitled "Adventures of an Italian .Model;" in which Mr Maurice Costello figures prominently . as a detective. Aubrey, a young artist, engages a beautiful young model to sit for a picture. 'While talking one day, he pours out some wine, and puts , the two glasses . beside tell window. A deserted lover of the model's enraged with jealousy, poisons the girl's wine by-inserting his arm through the window. The artist is arrested in con nection with tlihe affair, and Lambert Chase, detective, is engaged. While the model is convalescent Chase finds out about her former lover, and has him arrested, and by a- clever trick makes him confess his crime. This is a clever and realistic drama. Other films of great excellence are "Captain Bairnacle's Waif," a Vitargaph drama, showing the conversion of a waif of the slums to a useful (member of society. "Popular Betty," an interesting love tale, in which some exciting episodes are cleverly introduced. "The Pony Who Paid the Rent" shows the wonderful sagacity of dumb animals. "Why Jim Re- j formed" tells the story of an habitual dlrinker, and how he eventually , overcame the craving, and' regained I his lost manhood. "Well Ma.tcihed" is ai wonderfully amusing comedy, detailing the efforts of two stout people to become tliin. "The Ti-ade Gun Bullet" is one of the ever popular Wild West series, and is full of thrilling adventures, in whicfh Indiansfigure prominently. Altogether this excellent iprogramime> which also includes the latest in scenic and educational films, will provide a splendid two hours' entertainment which should be missed by no one. J. C. WILLIAMSON LTD. "THE BLUE BIRD." This morning at 8 o'clock the box plan will be opened at the Dresden for the first hand only production of the great spectacular fairy play "The Blue Bird," which is to be staged at the Town Hall, Masterton, by J. C. Williamson's Company on Friday night next. Altogether there are over 100 travelling members of the organisation, including the 40 children who created quite a sensation in the original Sydney production of the piece. The staff of advknce mechanics have-had a busy time preparing for the Masterton representation of "The Blue Bird," and everything

is already prepared for next Friday night. Much lias been heard and read of Maurice Maeterlinck's wonderful creation and the remarkable success the play has achieved since its original presentation in Moscow over four years ago has been sensational. In London. "The Blue Bird" was hailed with unanimous approval by the critics, and the general public followed suit by extending their patronage to such an extent that it was retained at the Haymarket Theatre for six months. The Times wrote of it: "What an exquisite blend of fancy, wisdom, -speculation, poetry, tenderness, and pure beauty is this 'Blue Bird.' It brings tears to the eyes, and then chases them away with laughter, plunges you into reverie, and then startles you with some joyous surprise. How beautiful are the thoughts on death. What a thrill runs through you at those lilies, and the cry that 'there are no dead.' H. t\> is a work that, on the one side a mere children's game, a merry romp and pantomime, belongs on another side to that best of all literature ,the literature of consolation. It iji not the first time that Maeterlinck has consoled us, but it is the first time that he has done it so' lightheartedly, with so airy a grace, so fresh and pure a fantasy." ...The spectacular scenes, such as the transformation in the woodcutter's cottage, the Palace of Night, the Kingdom of the Past, and the Kingdom of the Future, are said to be remarkably beautiful. A big feature of the production is the glorious music composed by Norman O'Neill, and which will be performed by a band of 20 instrumentalists under the baton of Mr Edward Rawlings. Children will be admitted a.t half-price to all parts.