AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURES

•A splendid change of .programme was witness eel at the Theatre Royal last evening by a large and thoroughly appreciative Audience. To-night an unrivalled repertoire of films will be presented, headed by the Vitagraph's magnificent French court drama, gorgeously costumed and exquisitely furnished, entitled "Hearts of the First Empire," the characters in which include Napoleon Boneparte, Marie Louise (Empress of .France), maids of honour, court nobles, and Beatrice Dupnel, a heroin© of romance. It is a stirring story of the stirring times of the First Napoleon. Count Di Mauperg. an .Austrian, is arrested and held as a hostage by Napoleon after defeating the . Austi'ians in 1809. Marie Louise, whilst driving through the poorer streets of Paris, rescues Beatrice Dupriel, an uncommonly beautiful girl, from her cruel _ mistress, and has her trained as a maid of honour. When presented to the Emperor she becomes embarrassed, rousing the laughter of. the court. Di Mauperg champions Beatrice, as also does the ■Emperor, who commands the court dancing master to instruct her :n court etiquette. Count Mauperg and the Due de Beaufort both fall in love with the Empress's favourite, but neither receive any encouragement. Count Di Mauperg is instructed by his countrymen to slap Napoleon, but is overheard by Beaufort, who informs Napoleon, and is command- 1 ed to arrest the count. Beatrice, on her way to "warn Mauperg, is delayed by the .Due, who attempts to force his unwelcome attentions on her. Seizing a rapier, she kills .him, and rushes to warn the man she lias now learned to love. Before leaving the palace Beatrice leaves a note for Napoleon : "I have killed a rogue, outwitted the Emperor, and won' a. husband. Forgive hie, Sire. The Emperor is not displeased that the two lovers are outside his jurisdiction. Special choice supporting it-ems are : "Cinders," o'n-e of the most touching Vitngraph dramas ever screened ; "Scenes in Flowery Land," Pathe scenic; Industries of Jamaica," "An Acrobatic Quartette," "Miss Mischief," "Gaumont Graphic," and a funny comedy by Max Linder, "Love me, Love my Cat. ' A Tobler matinee was held this afternoon at 2.30.

IMPERIAL, PICTURES. The special change of programme presented at. the Lyric Theatre last "night before a large and enthusiastic audience was undoubtedly one 'of the very finest screened in the district for some considerable time. Nordish's great 3-reel circus drama "The Clowns Revenge, proved ,an instantaneous, .success, and drew foTtb round after Tound of applause from the delighted spectators. To adequately praise a Nordisk such as this one, were impossible, it must be seen to be d/uly appreciated, and' although the name of this great company stands as the hall mark of perfection _in film production, they have in this instaupe fairly excelled themselves. In response to a great number of requests this picture is to be repeated to-night for the last time, supported by a complete full new programme, starring another great thrilling Noi'disk drama "The Two Convicts," 2000 ft long. This stirring story of intrigue and penitentiary life is of a highly dramatic and soul-stjrring character enacted in a most convincing manner by this famous company of photoplay artists. Mr. Aderson, th© popular motion picture actor will also appear upon the screen in one of his favourite Broncho Billy series, whilst an excellent supporting programme will include A little Hero.'"' Dorothy's Birthday, dramatic ; Her Friend the Doctor. -MiTips the Tailor m Love,' comedies ; "Mirth and trick comic, etc.. etc. Seats may be reserved- at Alt. IxOD inson's, Hardy-street.