ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144297, 12 January 1914, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

0 9 J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW' COMIC OPERA COMPANY. ; "THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG" j TO-NIGHT. 5 3 At 7.50 this evening the curtain will rise on the initial and only production hero of Franz Lehar's charming and > delightfully tuneful and merry musical J play "The Count of Luxembourg," .. which will be interpreted by J. C. Wil- ' liamson's New Comic Opera Company, 5 comprising over 150 artists. Seats in , excellent positions may bo reserved at ' Collier's. The stage manager arrived on. Saturday to conduct a scenic and lighting rehearsal, which will prevent a hitch occurring. ''The Count of ■ Luxembourg" is packed with catchy . songs, delightful melodies, pretty dances, and gorgeous settings, and it possesses a, fascinating story. Franz Lehar's work would always command a . certain success were it performed by a mediocre company, but to a large | extent the success which it achieved in Australia can be attributed, it is said, to tho manner in which tho various , principal roles are represented. Special interest centres in tho re-appear-ance here of Miss Florence Young, as in no part of Australia is tho famous soprano more popular than in New Plymouth. Had Miss Young chosen a career in grand opera there is hardly a doubt that her magnificent voice a doubt that her magni/iccnt voice would have placed her name amongst those of the world's greatest singers. If only as a singer Miss Young would be a great asset to any musical company, but in addition she possesses a fino. stage appearance and is ono of the best aotrcsees we liave yet enjoyed in comic opora. Miss Young shares with Mr. Frank Greene the honours in the much-talked-of waltz on the staircase. Frauz Lehar's music gives Mr. Frank Greene excellent opportunities for the display of his rich baritone voice; and Miss Porc-thy Brunton his also a most congenial role to portray. Visitors to tho theatre aro always fond of a good hearty laugh, and therefore they are always keenly interested in the leading comedian of a company. In the present instance they will havo an opportunity of welcoming Mr. Phil. Smith, who hails from tho principal London theatres. Tho newcomer, it is said, ia a great acquisition to the new comics, and a? Brissard he is said to be very funny. Mr. Robt. Whyte, junr., Mr. Victor Prince, and Mr. Charles Albert assist in tho laughter making. Tho addition of Vlasta Novotna, the brilliant and handsomo young Russian dancer, is a tower of strength to the company. In • to-night's performance she and Charlie Albert will be seen in tho "Danse Pomponotte," which created n perfect furore of enthusiasm in Australia. A specially augmented orchestra and chorus is under tho baton of Herr Gustavo Slapoffski, and Dick Shorthand is stage manager. Mr. Wybert Stanford is travelling with tho company. EMPIRF7piCT r JRES. Easily one of tho best celluloid aramas seen hero for somo time, the star picture untitled "From Circus to Ka?ecourso" h«ld tho audience enthralled on its iirst screom-'g at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday night. The story is based on a most exciting 10-o affair in which a charming tight-rope walker, a circus jo.-*_ey, and a fierce-looking count aro the chief participants The jockey and tho count are both madly in love with tho beautiful heroine, the jockey being th" successful suitor. His jealous iiv»l immedintoly secures his dismissal from tho circus and the jockey is out of work. Soon, however, ho obtains a, billet in a racing stable, where his progress is so rapid that ho is engaged to rido tho favourite in the Grand Prix. Now, it so happens that the ccimt stands to lose a lot of money if th. 3 favourite wins, so he hatches' a plot to shoot the jockey from a secluded part of the com-:. Tho erstwhilo tight-ropo walker, now tho jockey'.i wife, hears of the count's evil intentions and escapes from her houso by walking over telephone wires. She arrives at the course just after the raco commences, and rushes after tho count just in time to frustrate tho attempted murder. After that all ends happily, but it is a picture that should bo seen to be properly appreciated. The picture is rich iu dramatic incident, wliilo somo excellent scenery is introduced. Tho supporting programme is a very strong one, and includes a screamingly funny comic film called "Tho Riot," in which the same artists appear as in "A Noise from the Deep." a fact which is sufficient testimony to its mirth-pro-voking powers.