ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 24, 22 July 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

SAUNDERS' PICTURES. A complete change of programme will be screened at matinee to-day and again at 8 o'clock to-night. The new films include a surprise packet to local patrons in a. film entitled "Experiments in Liquid Air.' This -picture has gained wide .popularity as a scientific masterpiece. Another film that has caused a sensation is "Standard Bread," dealing with the full weight bread supply. The star dramas include "King Lear," "Sons of Old Glory," and a Vitagraph masterpiece "Ransomed." The same studio supplies a star comedy, "Three Men and a Maid." Ail interesting and amusing romance occupies a plaxie entitled "The Romance of Bar 0," the story of a j cowboy's strenuous courtship. Beautiful scenic views are prominent throughout the film "Cascades of Llri." The comae section is filled with "A Sufferer of Insomnia," "Swank buys a motor bike," and "Fonlsliead at a cockfight." This "erics will be shown again on Monday and Tuesday.

ROYAL PICTURES. j The new programme to be presented by' the Royal Pictures and orchestra at the Theatre Royal this afternoon and evening seems to be full of interest and attractiveness. Great interest •will be found in this week's edition of Pathe's Australian Gazette, which contains the funeral of the late Colonel Tom Price, at which an immense crowd {fathered; Victoria's Parliament and the arrival of Sir John Fuller to open the last session; Confide's victory in the Grand National Steeplechase; League football, an pxciting match won by Carlton against Fitzrov by three points; and other interesting items. The scenic and industrial pictures are: "Agriculture in Tunis," "Elephant Hunting on the Banks of the Nyaiwa," <amd "Mushroom growing." "Athaliah" is said to he something special in dramas, whilst "Faithful unto D*ath" and "An Eleventh 'hoivr redumption" will complete that portion of the i programme. "The Flight of Fairies" is one of the many fine colored pictures, while heaps of laughter will he found in "Courtship Trials," "Oscar in Desperation," and "Faithless." This programme should prove of more than ordinary interest if one may judge from the titles, which the management declare to be the case. The first "Sweets" Matinee will be given this afternoon, when every child attendimg will be presented with a bag of sweets.

NICOLA. The audience that attended at the Theatre Royal last night found much to fascinate and mystify. The whole entertainment -was bright and clean, and , illusion followed illusion in dazzling fashion. The patter and business generally associated with the prestigadateur's art was smart. Nadolny succeeded admirably as a conjuring comedian. Miss Margaret Sutton and. Miss Sylvia Whipple, who assisted Nicola, thoroughly knew their and his business. The first of the programme wias chiefly devoted to legerdemain. Flowers, cards', umbrellas, ribbons, rings, rice, etc., weTe manipulated with much grace and pleasing effect, gome startling' illusions wre also given. In "The Astral Bride" the magician wid one of his assistants go into separate cabinets. Almost immediately these are opened, and, 10, both the occuapnts have vanished, to appear amongst the audience. "The Home of Diogenes" is stHl more marvellous. An empty glass box is enclosed in a large ease and k>ck«d. On beinw opened out stepped the Ancient Pholisopher with his lantern m his old quest in search of an honest mam. "The Appointment" is another transformation illusion and lightning ohiange act. In this Nicola goes into a cabinet, which is opened by an assistant, and shows that a ladv occupies the cabinet, whilst the assistant is Nicola 'himself. Nadolny occupies the second net. H« does his work before a farmyard scene, wherein may be seen a oow and some fowls, whilst near by is the sea, whereon is a ship and' a fisherman. It is a pretty peaceful scene, .and part of the show. When eggs are wanted 1 to juggle with no less til .in six are in the air at once, the fowls supplying the need, whilst the cow supplies some light refreshment. Anv old thing does for Nadolny. At one time he uses a J«at, glwves, umbrella and portmanteau, at another half-a-dozen eggs or plates, and to show his marvellous iudgment of Wight he manipulates simultaneously a piece of paper, an axe and a cannon ball. His handling of a cigar and phig hat is most clever. The third portion is devoted to illusions. "The Haunted Cabinet" is made up in full view of the audience, yet when bells, tambourines, etc., are placed therein they are rung and thrown about, and a tremendous din created, which ceases immediately the cabinet is opened. "The Prisoner of Borneo" ig also a very striking and se#> sational illusion. A policeman an<J a fireman accepted Nicola's challenge' £tf hnrodcuff him. and he was fastened with/ two sets of handcuffs and leg shackles which, however, did not hold him lons' The final act affords a fittins? finale An assistants is tied in a bag, locked in a box-, which is tied with string. This with Nicola k placed in a cabinet. Nicola is out of sight about, two seconds, but it is enough. When the cabinet is opened the assistant is free and bows her acknowledgements. The box, bag. and other paraphernalia are opened, and found to contain Nicola.