AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 13102, 7 November 1908, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

WEST’S PICTURES. The trade mark" WestV’on the outride of a picture show is a elite indication of the excellence within. That the public of Dunedin have realised this fact is. fully demonstrated by the large audience that assembled at the Princess Theatre last evening, - the opening night of the reason. \ ,The first picture thrown'on the, screen was a splendid film entitled ‘ Kings 1 and Queens,’ which shows the Ring arid Queen on board the Italian ship Roma. A better animated, picof their Majesties it would be impossible to imacme. ‘ The Brigands of Calabria,’ a beautifully colored film, illustrates the adventures of a nobleman and his family among the brigands. The wild haunt of the brisranda among the mountains is first depicted, and the scene tlien changes, showing the departure of the nobleman’s coach from the castle. The brigands .lie in wait for the coach, attack it, leave the nobleman for dead, and carry off his wife and child, -.he rescue of the nobleman and the restoration of the wife and child are brought about by a faithful servant. One of the most beautiful picture® is one showing coastal scenery along the south of France. The scene is in the neighborhood of Biarritz, and some beautiful effects showing dawn, moonlight, and twilight are introduced. A Very interesting picture is the one of the fishing industry at Astrachnn, where the Russian women are seen engaged in preparing the fish for export. The Tyrol and the picturesque customs of the inhabitants is the subject of another .fine picture. ‘ The Life of a Wandering Gipsy ’ gives a splendid idea of the work and customs of those strange people. The most instructive of all was tho film entitled ‘Our Navy,’ which has been presented by authorisation of the British Admiralty. The handy man is shown at work and at play, and the picture concludes with views of the great battleships that have just been added to the fighting strength of our navy. A number of humorous films, in which tho inevitable chase plays a conspicuous part, are also shown, tho most mirth-provoking being 'The Irresistible Piano’ and ‘When March Winds Blow.’ In all the pictures there is a marked absence of flicker and splashes of light. Tho D© Groen Vice-regal Orchestra, in addition to supplying the incidental music, gave two splendidly-played overtures. The same programme will be repeated this evening. MARK HAMBOURG. Owing to strong counter attractions last night there was rather a disappointing house at His Majesty's Theatre when Mark Hambonrg gave the farewell pianoforte recital of his series. A particularly fine programme comprised Beethoven's ‘ Appassionato Sonata,’ Liszt’s ‘ Hungarian Rhapsody ’ No. 6, and a comprehensive selection from Chopin’s works—the ‘ Ballade in A flat,’ the ‘ Nocturne in E major,’ the ‘ Mazurka in A minor,’ two preludes, and two etudes—besides a tarantello by Leschetizky and an idyll by J. B. Davis. As at his previous recitals, Mr Hambourg’s playing was received with every manifestation of pleasure. ‘THE MIKADO.’ There is no finer finish to a good holiday than to spend it in a place of amusement, On .Monday the most appropriate place to go in the evening should be His Majesty’s Theatre, where that most popular of comic operas, ‘ The Mikado,’ will be staged by the Dunedin Operatic Society. This work was produced last week, and is being again revived for two nights. Tho best advertisement this production has had is tho way tho public have been speaking about it. Evereybody was delighted with it. The box plan will be open at Jacobs’s, tobacconist, up till 1 p.m. on Monday, so it will be wise to book early. BANDS’ FETE AND BABY SHOW. An enjoyable and inexpensive day's outing can be had by visiting the Botanical Gardens on Monday (King’s Birthday). Tho baby show, which is annually looked forward to by mothers, is attracting a large entry, and first and second prizes will be awarded for best boy and girl under twelve months. The judging will be done by Dr Lindon and Mrs Braithwaite.