THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13651, 20 July 1908, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

MACMAHON EXQUISITE PICTURES. Wednesday evening will witness at the Theatre Itoyal the opening of a two nights feeason of Messrs MacMahon's new living picture organisation. This will be: the first exhibition in Timaru of tlie very latest conceptions iu the advancing art of the kinematogia.ph. Every subject, it is promised, will be a " star" in its particular department of. comedy, imaginative conception, or dramatic story among which special mention is made of tlie presentday London and Parisian successes : "Life in Japan—the Geis-lias;" "Durban, Natal, with its Native Indian Colony," "His Daughter's Voice," " Fiddle and I," "Pierrot's Love Story and Tragedy of Jealousy," "Will He Overtake Them," "The Flower of Youtli," "The Fairy Pantomime," "Harlequin and tlie Magic Toy Shop," Tlie combination terminated a very sucful season at tlie Wellington Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The "New Zealand "Times" referring to the entertainment said : "The series of kineinatographic pictures produced at the Town Hall by the Messrs MacMahon seem in many respects io indicate that- this method of portraying actual life incidents is becoming an ait standing by itself, and greatly outrunning any of tlie forms of photography with which we are most intimately acquainted. The weather last evening was so bleak, windy and wet that many people would have said the Messrs MacMahon had lighted upon an evil day ,for the opening of their season. But this kind of entertainment appears to have a vogue peculiarly its own, and it attracts tlie public in all kinds of weather, and no matter what other entertainments may be offering. These pictures are about the latest product of the skill and ingenuity of the kinematographist. In fact, they arrived from Paris only a few weeks ago, and to those who thought the last word had long ago been said about "living photograph;;," the scenes reproduced last evening were a, revelation." Tlie pictures are remarkable in that, although, as appears fairly evident, they were secured, by French "artists of the camera," they cover scenes illustrating incidents that must have happened far from Fraucc —the birthplace of the kiuematograph. The box plan opens 'this morning at the Dresden, where seats may be secured- without extra booking fee.

THE MERRY"MAKERS.

As entertainers of a high class order the Merrymakers, who open iu limuru for two nights, via., Monday and Tuesday 27th and 28vli intt., are tlie first English artists to inuoduce to New Zealand a- class of entertainment which is finding favour in England and America. The Merrymakers' performances arc made up of high class vaudeville, musical comedy, singing (both solo and concerted), monologues, musical sketches, burksque and artistic dances. 'J lie main idea is laughterraising which, ill is said, the Merrymaketo succeed in accomplishing thoroughly iu a well sua aintd programme of brigut and crisp "turns," for over two houis. .1. M. Campbell's reputation as a Scotch comedian throughout Great Britain, is. we are told, thoroughly well earned. .Herbert' Clayuou's ballad singing has won for h.ltii ;i ioreino.% place 111 Lontlon musical comedy. Sam Walsh, Gavin Wood, and Eiic Blare are all artis s of high repute. Three ladies, Mitees Betty Oh!s, Doria Lind, and Elsie Williams contribute very artistic ballads, danws, and sketches in interesting proprammes, . which for ■'.he most pari, are all original items , having been speciallywritten for the Merrymakens by prominent composers and librettists. The box plans wi.l open to-morrow at the Dresden for the two nights' season.