MONTGOMERY'S KINEMATOGRAPH COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2407, 19 April 1900, Page 50

MONTGOMERY'S KINEMATOGRAPH COMPANY.

Montgomery's Kinematograph and Concert Company opened a short season at the Princesa Theatre o:i Thursday night. The attendance was fairly numerous. The principal attractions announced for the evening's entertainment comprised kinematographic " Scene 3 fiom the Transvaal War " and selections from. - The Giant Theatrephone," described on the programme as " Edison's latest and greatest achievement. The realisation 'of a hitherto impossibility." The announcement concerning the "■ Scenes from the Transvaal war" is somev/hat vp-gue, and it i=3 to tte feared some who attended the theatre under the belief that they, were to witness kinematographic reproductions of actual incidents and encounters m the war. that is at present being conducted in the TransVoal, were disappointed. True, there were scenes faithfully reproduced which, wera connected with the war, such as General Buller's departure for the front, a troopship leaving Southhampton, a train conveying troops from Colenso, the departure of a Victorian contingent (all very interesting and clearly shown), but the lunmated pictures which purported to depict aciual encounters which have taken place on ihe battlefield were obviously not to. For instance, the gentleman who discharged the duty of announcing tha nature of the «ews to be thrown on the screen, declared that one picture, which was to immediately follow, displayed a Boer attack on a British position. But the scene was altogethf r too reminiscent of the exciting episodes which play such a prominent part in the modern melodramatic theatrical performance. Again,

•• The Wreck and Capture of an Armoured Train " was displayed. - The member of the company to whom was entrusted the task of describing the incident drew a -word picture of the thiilhng spectacle of the aimoured train, rounding a ewe being suddenly deiailed, tha engine knocked over by a well-directed shell, and a sharp engagement following, which resulted in the out-numbered British hoisting a. white flag and being taken prisoners by the bewhiskered, fierce-looking Boers. The round of applause which followed, however, wa3 doubtful in its fervotir, and one individual was heard to audibly make a remark which led those who heard it to understand that the speaker had doubts as to the genuineness of the scene reproduced. And somewhat similar remarks mayj be made concerning the picture representing the last stand of Major Wilson, who (surrounded by a yelling horde of savages), together with his little band of comrades, die 3 singing " God save the Queen." Doubtless the scene was very thrilling and inspiriting, but it tries one's credence in the statements of theatrical managtrs in endeavouring to imagine an enterprising photographer calmly standing by, taking permanent records of the scene of bloodshed for the subsequent entertainment of tha British public. However, having said all this, it is not for a moment to be supposed that tha entertainment provided by the company was wholly an unsatisfactory one. On the contrary, seme of the pictures were decidedly praiseworthy, and whilst a few were redemanded', others, particularly lantern views of the British, generals and our own New Zealand Major Robin, were applauded with the utmost vigour. The picture, or pictures (for it was a series of pictures), depicting the national sport of the Spanish people — the bull fight — were remarkably good on the whole, and were decidedly, well worth seeing. The theatrephone also played an important and satisfactory part in the evening's entertainment. The instrument appears to possess many advantages over the or^ dinary phonographs which are generally to bg' found at public entertainments, for the various selections were heard through the large brass transmitter with unusual distinctness. The concert part of the programme proved fairljjv entertaining. Miss Rona Brandon, the soprano* scarcely attained to that degree of excellency* 1 which the audience evidently expected, for a section of those present who occupied the lower Tegions of the building manifested a disposal to readjer assignee by joining their voices^

■with hers in the higher notes. It was doubtless well meant, but mistaken, zeal, for the effect produced was no improvement. Mr Harry Hall, who rendered some comic specialties, was, however, more successful, and although some of his descriptive items did not possess the merit of being new, they were received, generally speaking, with manifestations of approval. A decidedly praiseworthy feature of the entertainment was the contribution of Mr Edmd. Montgomery. This gentleman possesses a, tenor voice of excellent quality and serviceable range, and sings with a good deal of expression and effect. The numbers he contributed^ weie received with undoubted expressions of approval, and in frequent instances encores were demanded.

On Friday night the company gave an entertainment appropriate to the season. There was a good attendance, and the programme presented •was v*ell received. There wai a myrioramic display of heroic deeds by lifeboat men and selections from the theatrephonc. Miss Rona Brandon sang " The Star of Bethelem " and The lost chord," Mr Han-y Hall recited " The Matron's Story," Mr Montgomery rendered "The toilers ' and '• Alone on the raft," and Mr Palds contributed two sacred songs. Montgomery's Kinematograph and Concert Company attracted a large audience at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night, and the entertainment seemed to give great pleasure to tho3e present. Many of the animated pictures shown By means of the kinernatograph were remarkably good, and some of the war scenes were xeceived with enthusiastic demonstrations of approval., " The representation of a Spanish j hull fight was also witnessed with much "in?-; terest, while the series of miscellaneous views likewise proved very acceptable. Mr Montgomery's singing of "" The gallant Gordon j Highlanders, ' the cuckoo song, and " Another little patch of red ' was highly enjoyed; and Mr Harry Hall provoked loars of laughter j by his comic songs. A very pleasing feature j in the performance were the selections by that j marvellous piece of mechanism, the theatre- i phone, which reproduces the human voice and the sound of musical instruments with greater distinctness than anything of the kind previously heard here.