AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13714, 22 April 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL

Though the advisableness of reviving the memory of tho horrors and tyrannies of the system of transportation, now long since past away, may be strongly questioned, it cannot be denied that the many incidents of Marcus Clarke's wonderful book were most vividly reproduced by the cinematograph entertainment last night. Like Dickens in "Nicholas Nickleby," Marcus Clarke wrote "The Term of his Natural Life" t.> expose a detestable system, and in doing so gave a faithful history of its horrors, in the series of pictures exhibited at the Theatre Royal, all the salient points of the book are most strikingly depicted. Thero was rather a tendency to flicker with regard to the pictures, but that is a detail which will no doubt be remedied. The compilers —if such a term can be applied to a series by tbe cinematograph—of the pictures have done their work well. The whole of the salient points of the book, so far as Rufus Daves, the hero of the story, is concerned, are most realistically brought out. This realism is heightened by the very artistic and strongly dramatic recital by Mr Alfred Bcothman in connection with the pictures. Mr Boothman's description 16 not a mere dry repetition of the words .-•f the author,* but an investing of the different sconce with a strong naturalness by the reciter in parts acting tho characters depicted. These also are excellently interpreted by the various members of the dramatic company engaged in the representation of the various scenes, so that the whole was as near real life as it was possible for a cinematograph exhibition to be. Tho principal feature of the programme was preceded by several pictures of a varied character. "Her First Biscuits" depicted tho havoc wrought on a number of people by the well meant efforts of a young lady fresh from a cooking school, whose exploits in culinary work exemplified the truth of the saying that

"a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." "The Jealous Doll" was a very clever picture, and "Tho Guerilla" afforded plenty, of opportunity for the dicx-lay of a number of strong dramatic rituations. "The Renunciation" was a film with which Christchurch picturelovers are pretty familiar. "The Hunchback Fiddler," a quasi-fairy story, pointed a good moral, and was a very excellent series. There was a %cry large audience, the theatre beinc crowded. To-night the same bill will be given, and to-morrow the first and only matinee will take place.

WEST'S PICTURES.

Excellent as have been the pictures hitherto shown at the King's Theatre, they have never reached the same highv ater mark of merit attained by tlie scries shown for the first time last evening. Prior to the commencement of the entertainment, a squad of one hundred Boy Scouts, under Scoutmasters Goodman and Douglass, formed up outside th-. theatre and marched inside, and by eight o'clock the large auditorium was well filled. The range of subjects *w-as such that all tastes were amply catered for. The scout pictures, entitled "Boy Scouts to the Rescue" and "A Day With the Boy Scouts," met with an extremely hearty reception from the contingent of scouts present. Two exceptionally powerful dramatic films, teeming with incident, wero "In the Nick of Time" (in tbe production of which the services of the "X" Com,p*any of the 22nd Regiment of Engineers, U.S.A., were requisitioned) and "White Pokohunta." A picture of much educational value was "A Visit to the German National Zoo," in which polar bears, seals, lions, and dozens of other animals, were to be seen disporting. ''Capture of a Vagrant" and ."X Visit to Japan were two beautifully tinted films, which proved very popular. The comic element was supplied by pictures entitled "Latest Delicacy," "Forgotten Watch," "Scientist's Nightmare," "The Orderly," and "The Chemist." A feature of the programme was the excellent and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra, under the leadership of Mr F. G. Mumford. At the coroclusion of the programme three cheers for West's* were lustily given by the Boy Scouts.

PATHE PICTURES;

The Patho Pictures are enjoying quite an extensive popularity, and His Majesty's Theatre was thronged last night, when the current week's programme was repeated. The pictures were excellently presented and thoroughly appreciated, the dramatic suojtcts being especially interesting. The same pictures will be shown to-night.

OPERA HOUSE.

Vaudeville still remains a popular forr* of entertainment, and the Empire Company appearing nightly at tho Opera House are meeting with every success. The present week's programme was repeated last night before a large and appreciative • audience, and the various turns, especially that of the Crotton Bros, were presented most successfully. To-night the same bill will be given.

FULLER'S PICTURES,

The new programme of Fuller's Pictines, presented at the Colosseum last night, contains a fine selection of up-to-date films covering a wide range of subjects. The big building was packed in every corner, and the patrons present thoroughly enjoyed the excellent pictorial entertainment provided. Chief interest centred in the set of films dealing with the work and duties of the boy Scouts The principal features of that most popular movement wero Bet out in elaborate detail, and the scope or the work undertaken by the Scouts wn_ represented most realistically. Another very fine set of pictures represented the famous Biblical tragedy, "Eelshazzar's Feast." The subject was we'l worked up, the acting was good, and the costumes magnificent, while the stage effects wero most impressive, the appearance of the fatal message on the wall, and the destruction of Babylon being thrilling incidents in the tragedy. Several <jood dramatic studies were shown, including "Buried Alive," a mining subject, and "The Last Deal," a powerful film, showing ruin following on' foolish gambling. The industrial films included Farmingj" and "Tile-making in France," both most interesting as dealing with industries of an uncommon nature in this couatry. Quito an extensive collection of comic films were included in the programme, the best of the series being "Weary Willie Gets a Job," "A Pair of Slippers," "Worst Boy in School," and "The Forgotten Watch.'' The orchestra played the incidental music mast enjoyablv, particularly the selections from "The Cingalee." To-night the programme will be repeated.

ORGAN RECITAL

The programme of the last Saturday Afternoon recital of the present series which will be given by Dr. Bradshaw, city organist, at His -Majesty's Theatre to-morrow is an interesting and attractive one. It has been compiled from a number of requests sent in, and contains several of the most popular of the numbers given during the series. The recital commences at 2.45.

CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL

The next Gemischter Abend or Ladies' Night, in connection with the Christchurch Liedertafel will be given in the Choral Hall on Thursday evening next- A very excellent programme has been'arranged for the occasion.

CHRISTCHURCH THEATRICAL CLUB

The Christchurch Theatrical Club will present tho comedy. "Not Such a Foot as He Looks, at the Choral Hall on Tuesday night next. The proceeds or the performance will be in aid of the S.P.C.A.