Montgomery Company.

Southland Times, Issue 19729, 1 February 1906, Page 2

Montgomery Company.

The rc-appearanco of this popular company was welcomed by a moderate audience last evening. the counter attraction of the band concert probably accounting for n few defections on such a pleasant evening. The programme submitted was of the class which has always been associated with this companyentertaining pictures animate and inanimate, and good songs, sentimental and comic. The display of animated pictures is an exceedingly interesting and Varied one and the spectators were alternately amused, astonished, or depressed, according to the spirit of the subjects pourtrayed. Tile illusion bbns, of which Mr Montgomery apparently mate's a speciality, have always been popular, and those shown were capital samples of their kind. Another class of film which has established itself as a mirth-pro ote>r is tlie “ chr.se " picture, aid nearly every company presents several. Usually some person commits a small misdemeanour, and being disiovered, takes to his heels. A chase is instituted, every passer-hy apparently is pressed into ttic sorvf.ee. and the spectators are ngnled with the highly amus-' ing spectacle of a terrified being followed liy an avenging army of all s. rts and descriptions of men. women and children) The pursuit invariably ends in the captrre of the offend.r, and summary jus-, the is executed. Those shown were •' The troubles of a policeman,” and

" Who stole the pin,” l oth being well devised and smartly worked oat. " I'rom Quo m to scaffold,” a s.Ties illustrating the life story ot Marie Antoinette, was rather depressing, though the pictures, espe tally that showing the storming of the Hostile. were capital. Another series dealt with a Bland Holt drama, introducing a horse race and other incidentals. The football pictures neie cordialty received, especially those of the N. Z. v. Northumberland match, in which W. Stead acted as captain of the All Blacks. The cinematograph is not a good recorder of a football match, ns nearly all the pictures shown merely present a number ot apparently meaningless .scrums and rushes. However, Mr Montgomery has made o-.c hit, in that a him shows Hunter scoring n try. The enthusiasm over the brilliant Now Zealand team is so keen that the spectators are willing to overlook deficiencies in cohesion, and the pictures were cordially greeted, “An American Bank Bobbery, ’’ conducted nS dor the fierce glare of the limelight uhich beats on the nocturnal burglar, concluded an appreciated list of films. 7n the vocal part of the entertainment Mr Montgomery is still a host in himself. His songs are always sympathetically rendered, with i unusual appreciation of the theme. “The man in the overalls,” and “The Men with the Ladder and Hose,” two spirited Illustrated songs, received admirable treatment, as did the pntly Iri<h ballad Ka'c Kearney. Miss I’ttie Hargood, who has a pleasing soprano voice received flattering testimonials from the audience for her interpretation of “I'm trying so hard to forget you," and “The Vale of Shenandoah,” two characteristically American compositions. The low comedy songs wore supplied by Mr O. Edwards, who hod to respond to frequent recalls. His performances were laughable' and his makes-up fearful and wonderful. The comic contributions were fairly acceptable though it might be urged that the parody on "The Holy City,” the classic of sacred songs, was in questionable taste. This was the only drawback to an enjoyable entertainment. , The company appear again this evening n an entirely new programme.