AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 22 October 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

TOWN HALL PICTURES.

"LES MISERABLES."

The second series of that magnificent pictorial film "Les Miserables" was shown for the first time last evening, a packed 1 audience showing that the first part came quite up to expectations. From the. furoro that greeted last nightfs production one is led to believe that the second part is even greater than the first. It tells of how Jean Valjean rescues the child Cosette, and takes her away with him to Park. Again he is discovered by the gaoler, Javert, and forced to flee. He spends many yeanin the seclusion of a convent. Cosette grows up in the care of the nuns Then Valjean decides to fake Cosette out into the world, and they reside in a quiet part of Paris. Cosette meets Marius and they mutually fall in love. The trying times of the French revolution are here depicted'. Valjean, during the Revolution, discovers that Javert is made a prisoner by the mob. He releases him, and later he goes out into the world and disappears. Valjean is forgotten by. the two young lovers until they realise almost too late how great and noble a character he bore. A number of other films completed a programme which for all round excellence is one of the best picture programmes of the day. Music by Candy's orchestra was not the least pleasant part of the entertainment. ' - '

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

"IN THE EAGLE'S CLAW."

To-night Messrs Thompson-Payne will present another fine change of subjects, which will be on a par with the current fine series of films resultant of the latest film contracts. A judicious blending of attractive subjects marks the new programme. Included, in the series is a dramatic masterpiece .by the Ambroaio Co., •'The Eagle's Claw." The aeroplane, the latest triumph of science, plays a prominent part in "The Eagles Claw." In one section of the film, where the villain of the story seeks to escape in a motor car, and is pursued by the master of the air, the two machines are at one period not more than two feet apart. The "actual story of "The Eagle's Claw" hinges' round the efforts of the usual scheming villain, who seeks to remove a wealthy parent from the face of the earth, that the. former may lay nefarious claim to the wealthy one's fortune and incidentally his daughter. "The Empty Box" will be an appealing drama by the Rex Coy., who specialise in what may be termed -stories of humanity. "Golden Greed" is an exciting Kalem drana. Other dramatic items will be "Caught in His Own Trap" (Victor), and "The Creole's Ldve" (B. and C). A fine comedy subject will be "Mugsy's First Love," by the A.B. Co. The latest edition of the Eclair Journal contains! many items of interest as well as the latest in fashions. A splendid collection of supporting comedies are among "His Little Idea," "Professors Stout and thynne as Poets," and "The Crazy Motor Bide." The screening of this excellent change should result in crowded audiences. .

GENEE AND THE IMPERIAL RUS-

SIAN DANCERS,

The advent of the wonderful Russian dancers in London some time agd revolutionised all our preconceived ideas of stage dancing. The ballet had cone to be regarded by a, large section of the community as a thing accursed, a presentation of too brief-ly-clad artists, who made up for, lack in grace by much pirouetting. A very difficult performance, no doubt, bu* a meaningless and usually undignified spectacle. That view was perhaps not justified, but it was deeply rooted. Then came the Maud Allen type of dancers, who had at any rate the virtue of originality and grace, even if they shocked the proprieties. But it was left to the dancers of the Russian, Imperial Ballet to convince English audiences that a ballet was not merely a mechanical succession of steps but could be made to interpret Sdeas and sentiments. The result was an entire change in the attitude taken up on the subject of stage dancing. There are many who would never go to see : a performance—just l as there are still folk who shun the' theatre —but it would be hard to find anyone who does not admit that the dancing of the artistes who have lifted the ballet from the depths to which it had sunk, was wonderful and great. The revival of the glories of the classic ballet is due to the Russians primarily. The members of the bal-let-there are under Imperial control. Their training commences at- eight years of age, and continues until they are 31, when they are pensioned, and go into retirement. Their dancing brings back the grace and charm of ancient Greece, and they have that natural joy and abandon which amongst present-day nations the Slavs alone seem to possess. Mdlle. Adeline Genee has. danced her way to the top of the ladder, and has been hailed by three Continents as the , greatest dancer in the world. She is I from Denmark, and has often danced j before Queea Alexandra, who always | keeps a warm place in her heart for those cotming from her fatherland. Mdlle. Genee has done a great deal to raise the ballet from a mere show of noise and bustle into something worthy of its gjreat traditions. She dazzles her audience by her marvellous technique and, her apparently effortless achievements. Mdlle. Balina Schmolz captivates theai by the

charm (if her dancing, which is the embodiment of all the amigination can conceive of the gracefulness of youth in its most beautiful form. Unlike her fellow artist, she has not been long before the public. Trained ait the Warsaw Academy, she trade her debut in the Polish capital. Shortly afterwards, in company with the world-famous Pavlova, sho appeared in London, where she achieved instant success. . These two great artisteswill appear at the Mastorton Town Hall next Friday evening, October 24th, in conjunction with the Russian Imperial Ballet, under the' direction off J. C. AVilliamson, Ltd. The box plans will be opened at the Dresden this (Wednesday) morning.