ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3712, 23 December 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE OPERA HOUSE. A large gathering of juveniles welcomed the new series of pictures at the matinee performance at the Opefra House on Saturday last. As on the previous Saturday the management regaled their youthful visitors with ice-cream during the interval, a kindness which, needless to say, was greatly appreciated. The programme screened was one eminently suitable to children, the dramas at certain crucial moments being received with loud applause, whilst the comics evoked roars of laughter. In the evening, the night being much cooler than at any time during the week, the attendance was large and enthusiastic. The star attraction was a splendid feature drama by the American Biograph, commonly known as the A.B. Co., entitled “In the Aisles of the Wittf." The story told deals with the passions of men and women in a part of the world where man lives very near to nature, and where his passions are accordingly very primival. A forestdweller occupies a hut on the banks of a distant river with his two daughters, one of whom loves a trapper, but is a horn coquette, and considers that the hearts of men were made to be her playthings. In a fit of pique she allows another forest dweller to pay attentions to her, and even goes so far as to sanctioii his caresses. These endearments are witnessed by the girl’s real lover, and he leaves her. Thinking to punish him for daring to criticise her actions she marries the second suitor, only to find too late that she has punished herself. After a few weeks of married life the original lover comes on the scene again and claims what he considers his own, and the newly-made wife and he flee together to the fastnesses of the hills. They find difficulty in getting food in the mountains, and the trapper is obliged to leave the girl whilst he looks for animals that he may shoot. Whilst away hunting he is waylaid by Indians and shot. The girl, tired of waiting for her lover to return, decides to look for him. but being weak from starvation finds difficulty in making her way over the rocky and tree-clad mountains. Eventually she finds him, only to expire at the side of her dead lover. In’ the meantime the husband has returned from a hunting expedition. only to find that his wife has fled with the other man. Filled with bitterness and burning to be revenged on the unfaithful wife he starts out to track Lhe absconders. Carrying his revolver in his hand, for where the passions lay close to the surface as they do in the excesses of nature’s wild realms, nothing but death can atone for an erring wife, the husband sets out to find the guilty pair. Eventually he finds them, only to be disappointed of his revenge as the Ar.ge 1 of Death had already set his seal on the pair. The husband returns to his hut full of bitterness because he has been unable to accomplish his revengeful object. The picture shows in conclusim how he possibly finds recompense in ll e affection of the other and younger sister. Other pi,cto-plays of interest are: —“The. White Man’s Burden,” “Her Convict Brother,” “The Butterfly Net,” and “The Long Strike.” Three excellent scenics are aso included in the series—“ The Ancient I’rrt of Jaffa,” "Swimming Carnival at Te Aro Baths. Wellington,” and “Williams' Weekly Budget,’’ whilst the coupes include a most laughable picture in “Lion Tonic.” This series will be screened again this evening.

PATHS PICTURES. The big audience which thronged llis Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night were more than pleased with the entertainment contained in the new programme submitted by Pathe Pictures. For variety and charm the new series would be very hard to beat. The outstanding feature was a splendid adaptation of Charlos Kingsley’s famous poem, "The Sands of Dee,” by the American Biograph Company. The story was beautifully told, and the touching pictures of the home life ot Mary and her parents were greatly admired. The scene in which Mary rejects Bobby, and tells him and her parents that she is engaged to the artist was beautifully portrayed. The driving forth of the girl by her stern old father, and the pathetic ending was full of acute patho3. The drama is in every way a great production, and is unquestionably one of the finest ever turned out by the skilful A.B. players. “The Bank President’s Son.” a powerful play by the Edison players, was another subject which greatly took the favor of the orowded house. This tells how Jack, who is paying teller in his father’s bank,goes the pace at a good rate. He spends money like water, and it is not long before he has a serious quarrel with his father as a result of the accumulation of his debts. Jack is engaged to a pretty girl named Edith, and presents her with a valuable trotting horse as an engagement present. Ralph, the cashier in the same bank, is a rival for the girl’s hand, and in order to discredit Jack he takes money from a cash-box in his charge. The President’s son is accused of the theft, and his father believes him guilty. He is imprisoned, but his plucky sweetheart enters her horse for a big race on the ice track on the river and carries off the substantial purse. This she hands over to an eminent lawyer, who establishes her lover’s innocence. The story is capitably told, the race on the ice being a particularly thrilling scene, it is long since such a clever comedy as "The Girl Bandit’s Hoodoo” has been seen. The story shows how. while Tom boasts of his bravery and marksmanship the stage coach arrives, and excited passengers tell of a recent hold-up. Tom is inclined to laugh at the sheriff for his negligence, and declares that no one could hold him up. Nell and Bess. Tom’s sisters, determine to teach the braggart a lesson,and they do so, most thoroughly. The remaining films were all up to high-water mark, and the whole programme was thoroughly enjoyed. A part change will be made this evening, when the new films will be ‘‘A Child's Prayer," a pretty story by the Lubin Co., .vhich tell 3 how a rich man was moved 1o show consideration to a poor tenant through hearing two little boys, his own and the tenant’s, repeat the Lord’s Prayer. “Around the World in Two Hours,” “Three Men in a Fix,’’ and a new Gaufliont, Graphic are also new subjects which will be keenly appreciated.

MISS CARRIE MOORE. v As will be seen by an announcement in our advertising columns Miss Carrie Moore, the young and popular musical eomcdy actress, will pay a visit to Gisborne shortly, when she will be supported by her own specially organised company in the first production here of the musical absurdity "Chips,” which was played for two seasons at the Strand Theatre, London. In speaking of this - comedietta an English newspaper says ; "Chips, or a Visit to the Studio,’’ is one of those plays of which one never tires. Melodious, light, dancing and sparkling, from one comic situation to another, like a constant succession of glasses filled with champagne, it keeps the whole audience in a simmer of merriment rarely equalled. There is no doubt that “Chips” will have a long and successful career in Australia as it had in England. In addition to the musical comedietta "Chips,” a first-class vaudeville programme will be presented by the members of the company, which includes the following star artists:—Mr Percy Clifton, the leading London comedian, in a budget of popular song 3; The Lussannes, a charming duo of song and dance artistes; Lily Moore, in her celebrated male impersonations; Albert and Hillier, the dramatic sketch team, in their own original farcial misunderstandings; Percy Dalton, ragtime, specialist and eccentric dancer; Black and Edgar, the Virginian duo in harmonised medleys, etc.; and last but by no means least. Miss Carrie Moore herself, in a selection from her unrivalled repertoire, including tragedy, pathos and humor. The orchestra will be under the

direction of Mr Win. Butler, and notwithstanding the expense of bringing this unequalled company through the Dominion, popular prices are to be charged, so as to enable all patrons a chance of seeing this world-renowned musical comedy actress. The box plan will be opened at Miller’s Corner to-morrow morning at 10 a.m.

BELLE CItOME COMPANY. . The fact that it is some time since Gisborne has had a visit from an up-to-to-date musical, vocal and humorous band of artists should make the' two nights’ season of the Belle Cromo organisation all the more welcome. While the management follow the accepted lines in producing this class of entrtainment, the cleverness of the performers lifts the programme muoh above the average, instilling a first night’s audience with a wish to see again this happy combination. The company is compact and talented, giving a good all-round programme. Though only numering eight artists, the talent shown by them is of such a high degree that it enables them to pack a large parcel of fun and amusement into the two and a-quarter hours they occupy the stage. Taken on the whole, the company provides one of the best entertainments at present touring Australasia, being novel, high-class, humorus, refined and artistic. Without doubt, nearly the whole of the human race are susceptible to the enchantment of music, especially when it has the charm of variety. This is where the Cromes shine—in their remarkable versatility and the number of different instruments they handle with celerity and ease, only acquired by the accomplished musician. Vocal numbers, humorous quartettes, choruses, comicalities, and specialities are also introduced by the various members.. Box plan is at Lnoas’s for December 26, 27 and 28.