ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 319, 8 July 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. The wonderful and powerful influence that sacred music has over the soul is clearly set out in a beautiful Edison picture drama, "Lead, Kindly Light," which was included in Saturday night's bi-weekly change of programme at the Empire Theatre. "Lead, Kindly Light"'' does not pander to sensationalism; it could not even be included in the category of "thrilling," but in place of these qualities it possesses points of infinitely greater worth. It is a heart-throbbing story, simply yet beautifully and picturesquely told, to the accompaniment of good acting. It concerns an episode in the life of the belle of the village, who is also the shining light in the church choir. She is enticed away to the city by a gilded city youth, and her return to her native village—just in time to save her from the dark abyss of iniquity in a big city—largely through the accidental influence of the strains of the hymn, "Lead, kindly light"—the favorite melody of the old choir —is an attractive theme. The pleasure of the audience is greatly enhanced through the sympathetic organ accompaniment of the hymn by a member of the "Empire" orchestra. The supporting films are a good collection. "The Handicap," an intensely interesting turf drama, quite took those present by storm. A family, which has come down in the world, stakes its last hopes of retrieving its fortune on a big 1000 guinea race. It enters a' fine piece of horse-flesh —a family pet—which a brother is to ride. At the eleventh hour, however, he is drugged by "interested parties," and how a plucky sister just reaches the starting post in time to ride for and win the guineas makes a splendid kinematograph subject. "Pathe's flazette" of topical subjects is, as usual, very interesting, and other good films comprise' "Making Camebert Cheese," the "Royal Park of Caserta" (showing a magnificent collection of statuary), "Broncho Bills' Adventures," and a selection of comics.

: " BEN HUR." • To-night at the Theatre Rnval the ci»rItain will rise at 7.45 punctually on the [initial representation here by J. C. Williamson's dramatic company of General | Lew Wallace's enormously successful and [stupendous religious' spectacular drama, ' '"Ben Hur." Seats in good positions can i be selected at Collier's, where tickets for I the early door stalls and pit can also ; lie purchased. "Ben Hur" is generally. ! regarded as being the biggest production yet sent to New. Zealand. There i are no less than 200 people- concerned inj the representation, including a chorus j of over 50 voices, a'ballet of 25 dancers, ' an orchestra iof-'ZOi'perfOraers, whilst, the, least numbers'over 2fi'artists. Four negroes we're brought,' from Australia, ' and with supers, stage-hftnds, mechanics, i electricians,'dressers, 1 etc., it forms the j biggest organisation whicli ihas ever toured the Dominion. ' 'The' effects for the : thrilling chariot race, foi' the big wreck i and the .Mount Olivet scene, arrived in' New Plymouth last week, in charge of: a large, staff of mechanics and electricians, and on Saturday several trials' were supervised by the producer, Mr. J.. W. Hazlitt, so thai there is no possibility of a hitch occurring this evening., Mr. Eric Maxon, who plays the part of, "Ben Hur," created a sensation in the role in Sydney.- His portrayal in the, first act presents-.a lovable, noble and, chivalrous Jewish youth, whose love for his mother 'is almjost ,a religion. Mr., Leonard Willey, who: plays t'he important role' of ' Mcssala,' has- at different, times given' New Zealand play-goers'a taste of his drafnatic'abllities.'and' his'reappearance is "being- looked forward'towith interest. "Mr.'■Efti'dlDy Turner ha-J elsewhere received great praise for his' Simonides 1 , and B.'AthdlwoAd, Leslie Victor, TYirifer' flail, Boyd Ir'wih' Fred tiamhoijnie,' P.,CBp>'pWn' fihd' Geo'fgtf Chalmers" were' ail .s'^dia'lly;.selected 'fo'r thei,r ,respectlVjß '""Miss Dix. is. it is state(J,' : se?ri to "grtia'tcj: advantage as Esther than over before.' Playgoers are always jglad to see '\W name of Miss Susie yaughfin figuring in the cast of any play.' Miss Owen Burroughs; wh,o created a -favorable impression when slie toured the Dominion with Miss, Nellie Stejva'rliTjand,,Jitliej Irving, received splendi£, r oppt|f-tunities as Iras, tlio Egyptian,' and Misses Georgie O'Meara and Alma, Yaughan are a}so well; known to orchestra and chorus are under .thivliaton-of Herr, Slapbffski.' Mr, -T. -W. Ha/.litt- is -in Charge 'of 'the production; .Mo W. ■!,' Piarce is stnge'manag l ejyafld Mri Richard Stewart business manager.- f