ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 307, 20 May 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. One of the finest photo plays that has been in New Plymouth occupies pride of place in the usual bi-week-ly change of programme. "The Dawning* is a Vitagraph life portrayal of 2000 feet, in which the interest is sustained right to the end. It is a society drama, and the theme, a love one, revolves around two men and a maid, the characters being taken by favorite Vitagraph players. The story depicts a beautiful society girl who is in love with a young artist. He professes tor prefer his art to her, however, and at the call of a wealthy uncle journeys to Paris. In pique, she marries a man whom she had previously rejected. Her old' Jpver . :StiU-- retains. first place in her Wart, and her husband is treated most disdainfully in fact. A journey to Paris, however, opens her eyes to lieV former lover's baseness, as he insults her. He is challenged by her husband to a duel, and is seriously wounded, flow she learns ultimately to love her husband and her stress of mind while waiting alone at dawn dreading the result of the duel, is realistically depicted. The picture is mounted on a particularly brilliant scale and at the same time strict attention is paid to detail. Tennyson's immortal narrative poem "Lady Clare" is picturesquely handled'. It is a subject that lends itself well to the kinematograph, and full advantage has been taken of this. The Antarctic tragedy, which resulted in the death of those British herpes and so stirred the world, provides some extremely interesting pictures. The Terra Nova is seen startig out from Home and also at Lyttelton, whilst photographs of Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, and other heroes are also depicted. Several views of the memorial service at St. Paul's and the vast crowd that attended, complete a deeply realistic film. Among the scenics there is a magnificent coloured film -showing views of the river Thames. The other supporting items are of a diversified character, including dramatic, comic and scenic, and all are of outstanding merit. Tln> programme will be shown again to-night for the last time . _ THE BUTTERFLIES. In reporting on the performance of "Tlie Butterflies," at Durban, the paper there said:—"The Seven Butterflies," who entertained with considerable dash and humor throughout, lost no time in getting on the best terms with 'the big audience. Their singing, patter, and playing were all equally acceptable, and the seven at once established themselves as firm favorites. The Butterflies, who | have been doing good business up-coun-try being on a six months' tour of South Africa, comprise three ladies and four gentlemen, Mr. Jack Waller being one of the. latter, and head of the merry butterfly palace, and after introducing themselves with a rollicking "Butterfly" chorus, no time is lost in exhibiting the individual merits of the company. Miss Marion Armitage, a vivacious little lady, is accompanied by Mr. Jack Waller in a screamingly funny cat duet of the "tile"* order, a»d then came Mr. R. Fos-ter-Hine, a big fellow with an equally big baritone voice. The first bright spark Of t'hc whole entertainment, was provided by Miss Marion Armitage, described as a burlesque actress. Miss Cecilia Gold is a decidedly entertaining little lady, who quite "brought down the house" with her songs. Miss Ada Smart, the lady vocalist of the troupe, possesses a rich and clear soprano voice, and sang with charming expression. Mr. Wylie Watson is a humorist of the top notcli variety .while as a character comedian Mr. Waller would be hard to beat. It is out of the question to speak too highly of the Butterflies and flierr. delightful entertainment, There a single dull moment. Either fiirf/.p!; the best and most wholesome variety' was toward, or music well played and sung. Theirs is an entertainment that I should not be missed on any account. J