NORTHCOTE'S KINEMATOGRAPH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 51

NORTHCOTE'S KINEMATOGRAPH.

I After an absence from Dunedin of about five months Northcote's Kinematograph and Specialty Company returned, and gave the first cf a series of what bids fair to be very successful entertainments in the Princess Theatre on the 22nd. There was a capital house, the stalls and pit being crowded, and the dress circle well filled. The entertainment 5s similar in character to that formerly given, but a number of changes and improvements have been made. A very large proportion of the kinematographic views are new, and all of them are interesting, and met with general appreciation. They arc shown to some extent at a disadvantage, as now, owing to a regulation made on the subject the apparatus must not be in the body of the theatre, and so they have to be exhibited through instead of on the sheet. The differpjice, however, is not material, and the spectators when shown frequently expressed very hearty appreciation, and quite a number of the views were repeated in response to the applause they evoked. The entertainment opened with musical selections by an efficient orchestra, and then a series of 23 views were produced, the bulk of which were new, and all effective. • The first scene, " Britannia," was an appropriate introduction to a good programme; the next, " A Practical Joke," "was very amusing, but the views which met with most favour" "were certainly those that appealed to patriotic sentiments. "The Gordon Highlanders" and the " Black Watch Regiments," as they marched with the steadiness of the highiy trained soldier, were applauded, and so also was the very realistic skirmishing scene, which wan admirably represented. The comic' scenes, .as usual, met with appreciation, and so did the views representing big gun drill and firing, the diving scene, and the serpentine dance, a very striking coloured picture. Mrs J. H. Coombs contributed a vocal solo " Joe and mo," and, in response to the applause, repeated the last^verse, and Mr Harry Baxter gave a hew sentimental and patriotic song, " The song that will live for ever." The first portion of the second part of the entertainment, stationary views of people and incidents connected with the New Zealand contingent for the Transvaal was entirely new, having just been completed, and now exhibited for the first time. Tho views arc necessarily very interesting, but beyond that they have been judiciously selected and well taken, and are effectively shown. One of the best is a capital portrait of Colonel Pcnton, on a very fine charger. The portrait of Major Robin could not be better. Both thess views were loudly applauded, and cheers were given for them. Trie views of the Karori camp, ihe contingent at drill, and the different stages of the -departure were all good, and could hardly pohsilJly have been better. They give a very good idea of the most enthusiastic demonstration that has ever taken place in the colony. After this another solo, " The city by the sea," was given by Mrs Coombs, and then followed another series of very effective kinematographic pictures, some 18 in number, all of which were appreciated. The train scene and the scene of the " Death of Nelson " were the best, the lastmentioned being remarkably good. The entertainment concluded shortly after 10 o'clock, and was of a very satisfactory character.