ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144149, 19 July 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“DR. WAKE’S PATIENT ” Tho short season of the HamiltonPlimmer Company was brought to a very successful close last night, when the dramatic comedy “Dr. Wake’s Patient” was staged in tho Theatre Royal.- Tho picoo is so well and favourably known that a description ot tho plot is unnecessary; suffice it to say that' the strong company which produced it last night did full justice to the many humorous and thrilling incidents m which the piece abounds.' Mr. H. R. Roberts as Dr. Wake, tho eminent physician and son of very humble country parents, and Miss Beatrice Day as Lady Gerania, daughter of tho Earl and Countess of St. Oibyn, were again tho life and soul of t‘he piece and still further added bo their Jong list of admirers. The other members of tho company fully sustained their respective parts, and uphold the high reputation which the HamiltohPlmimer combination has so justly earned. The oup and only disappointment to a most pleasant evening’s entertainment was tho poor audience winch greeted the company; and it is difficult to account lor the cause. With tho huge success scored on the first evening, and the long-standing reputation to tho credit of any company associated with the names of Messrs. Hamilton and Plimmer, it was fully anticipated that nothing short of a crowded house would bo present. It is to bo sincerely hoped that thc< management will not take last night’s support as a true indication of. New Plymouth, and will return at no distant date.

FANCY DRESS DANCE AT FRANKLEY ROAD. This arranged in aid of tho school piano fund, was easily tho most successful function of its kind ever hold ih -the district, over fifty couples being present. The hall was most tastefully decorated, tho music and the floor being above the average. The costumes in every case were well designed and a bounteous supper set out in tho school-room finished a most delightful evening. The judge, Mr. H. Brooks, had tho greatest difficulty in selecting the best lady’s costume, the final award ibeing: First, Miss Dive (“Powder and Patches”); second, Miss Hawke and Miss Hamilton (equal); special prize, Miss Alma Ballot. First gentlemen, Mr, R. Leighton (“Rod Indian”). The music was played by Miss Rita Sole, and extras by Misses Eva. Hare, Ballot, and Harr, Mesdames Winfield and Arden, and Mr. Montgomery. Messrs. Downes and Lister acted as M.C’s. A special vote of thanks was given to Mr. Brooks -for his kindness in decorating the hall • and for acting as judge. The financial result, £lO 10s for the new school piano, speaks for itself.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Al> the Empire Theatre on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday there will appear in person a remarkable man, "Skipper” Francis, champion cripple athlete'of tho world, who will describe the incidents as they appear on the screen of his notable achievement in swimming the Bristol Channel. There will bo a full supporting programme of pictures, and an elaborate musical programme will be submitted by Mr. Van Heck’s orchestra. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES.' There is no limit to the enterprise of the picturo people. One manufacturer took twelve months to produce “Cleopatra,” tho cost being no less than £17,000. But, according to those who have .seen the picturo, the labour and expenditure have been fully justified, tho picture being represented with fidelity to historic details aud recognised as ono of the greatest triumphs of the cinematograph world. The picture, which runs into 6000 feet’of film, is. by the way, to bo shown at the local Theatre Royal on Tuesday and Wednesday. .