ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144328, 17 February 1914, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND. Seldom has any approaching entertainment aroused such interest in New Plymouth as the of the Iloyal Artillery Band, which is to play hero on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. It is now about three weeks since the itinerary of the band cm the present tour was announced, and during that time the New Plymouth con-, certs have been eagerly anticipated—-• the more keenly because such excellent results attended the entertainments given in the other towns which have been visited. ' , Tho first concert hero will bo given in the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening, and the second, which is the last to be given on the tour, on the following afternoon, in the Recreation grounds. Every music lover will be pleased at the quality of the programmes to b© played. As popular selections of thoroughly good music they havo never been surpassed m New Zealand \ and tho intending listeners may be assured that they will never hear any music better played. The band is the most accomplished body ol instrumentalists who have ever played in the Poniinion, and their performances are all alike marked with a thoroughness of execution, a freedom and a finish which delight everybody. Everyone who has attended the Auckland Exhibition has heard tho band with the greatest pleasure, but the tour now rawing to a close has provided many thousands with an opportunity from which they were excluded by tho journey to Auckland. The two concerts in New Plymouth are the last opportunities of the kind. They will give the public two widely different entertainments, each splendidly adapted to tho circumstances and its production. Tho box plan for the concert in tho Theatre on Thursday evening is open at Mr. H. Collier’s music warehouse, and tickets for unreserved scats are also available there. Owing to the limited accommodation in the Theatre Royal tho early purchase of tickets is advisable. Friday’s concert should prove specially to ho tho opportunity of country residents. The running times of the ordinary trains between Hawera and New Plymouth havo been altered to suit the concert, and excursion tickets will be issued, available till the following day. It has been decided, too, that the tradespeople of New Plymouth shall observe a partial holiday, closing their premises from 2.30 p.m. till after the concert. This arrangement will enable country visitors to spend an hour in shopping between the end of the concert and tho departure of their train. There is a very large amount of accommodation in tho Recreation Ground, including numerous seats; but so as to provide for tho full comfort of those who dosire it, and especially of those whoso time is limited, a largo number of chairs will bo placed near tho special band-stand, and these may be reserved at Mr. H. Collier’s.

ROYAL PICTURES. The chief attraction at the Theatre Royal last. night was the screening of an exceptionally brilliant and exciting animal film, entitled ‘‘Alone in the Jungle.” The film introduces a strong dramatic, story right in the midst of the jungle, in which wild beasts of every description abound. It is most realistically portrayed, and is a fine combination of wild life and modern drama, with that daring actress, Miss Kathlyn Williams, taking a leading part. ' Another fine film is an Edison drama entitled “A Daughter of Romany,” a fine story of Gipsy life which should appeal to all readers of George Borrow or Geoffrey Farnol. “How Boots are Made” is a film of great educational value, and “Travel Pictures in Annam” provide views of some fine scenery. The programme concludes with a Keystone comedy that cannot be described otherwise than “a scream.” The picture is entitled “Two Old Tars” and completely convulsed last night’s audience. Owing to other bookings tonight will be the last occasion this selection can bo shown. EMPIRE PICTURES.

The management notify that tonight will be the last showing of that mystic Eastern drama “The Deathstone of India” with the full accompanying programme. To-morrow night there will bo a complete change of programme when two “feature” films will bo introduced, “The Stolon Treaty” by the American Biograph Company, and “The Sacrifice at the Spillway” by the Kalem producers. DUFAULT TO-MORROW. The much-talked of Dufault concert will be given at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night, when the great tenor bids fair to receive an enthusiastic welcome. Mr. Dufault scored a tremendous success in New Zealand during his recent tour with Mme. Nordica, and aroused tho utmost enthusiasm. None who heard him will ever forget his noble interpretation of “luvictus.” As a singer of love-songs Paul Dufault is absolutely unapproachod, yet there is no lack of virility in his manner, and there is always a poetic charm in his outbursts of lover’s adoration;' no maiden listening to him could doubt his sincerity.

A magnificent programme has, been prepared for to-morrow night. Mi - . Dufault will sing the great prayer from “Le Cid” and numerous delightful French and English ballads, and, of course, “Invictus,” without which no Dufault programme could bo called complete. Mr. Dufault’s other numbers will include the great regimental song “Au Pays,” which tho Melbourne Ago describes as “A romantic novel compressed into a few lines of verse.”

The famous tenor will be assisted here by Miss Pauline Bindley, soprano, Ernest Toy, violinist, and Harold Whittle, pianist.

“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD” PANTOMIME. The pantomime season which commences here on Saturday, February 21, at the 'Theatre Royal by the Royal Pantomime Company with the production of “Old Mother Hubbard” promises something exceptional in the matter of scenery. Mr. Harry Whaite, tho well-known scenic .artist, was intrusted with the work and has turned out some striking scenes, the most notable ones being; “A spider’s web,” “The home of the Hubbard’s,” “Palace of Dura Doodle,” “Dummdoo,” “A rooky cave,” “Tho throne room,” and a gorgeous transformation scone, the latter being a gorgeous culmination of a flue series of stage pictures. Tho musical xuun-

hers in “Old Mother Hubbard” are all new, and “Boys of the Young Brigade” (patriotic song and march) is a fine assembly during which a strong chorus is sung. Another striking feature is the dancing and ballets, which are of a high order. The dansouse, Frauloin Hertley, who conics with Continental experience, is principal ballerina and poseuse. Thb costumes in “Old Mother Hubbard” will be on a lavish scale, a new and special wardrobe having been made for this pantomime. The box plan, ds open at Collier’s.

“WITHIN THE LAW.” Next Thursday morning at Collier's music warehouse the box plans will be opened for “Within the Law',” which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present at tho Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening. February 24. _ Striking as it does at tho conditions said to prevail in New York, “Within tho Law” aroused an immense amount of public attention when first produced at the Eitiuge Theatre, New York, in September, 1913, since when it has enjoyed an unbroken run. A strong company was organised to ensure an adequate interpretation of the play in Australia and New Zealand, the cast including four prominent Now York players—Miss Muriel Starr, Miss Mary Worth, Mr. E. tV. Morrison, and Mr. T.incoln Plumer. “Miss Muriel Starr,” says tho Melbourne Argus, “helps to confirm the impression already formed by a study of tho acting of her American sisters, Miss Anglin and Miss Katherine Grey, who in the portrayal of the emotions and actions of real people stand almost alone.”