THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13652, 22 July 1908, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

MACMAHONS EXQUISITE PICTURES. Messrs Macmahou, who since Liit in Timaiu have been experiencing a remaikab!y successful lour ol uie doii.inion, with Haat, aie .generally described as the •• requisite Living l ictures," will toinlUxriK*) a t-.ro nights' season in the ITicatie Royal lb!.-, eyeing. it- is staled that evciv- item \wd l>a new and of distinctly nuvJl and in.ei.i/.iug c.iaiactei. i lid luanageuauc bav.ng k--pb in clow touch with die sources 1.1 Euiopo ana Amtnea, 01 lire hourly jiic. easing development of die fascinating art of the cinematograph promise the-public a bulbant programme, computing gems ol couiecry, iunlu.-,y, ana dramatic aioiy, wh.ch ale-at the present uieiit the reigning attractions in two hemispheies, eveiyit.m being a "ctar," chief uiuubg which may be mtu.ionea the thtilliug °lO-mile poim-to-po'.nb steeplechase, " Pierrot's jealosy," tho bcautilul coloured fantasy " i lie Eiu.ver of louth," "Japanese \»uiii«.-ii," and "Life in Japan," the (.-harming diainauc story "'lhc Caumßoy," and i!n- upioanously lunny picture comedies "The Haunted House,' "Will Me oveitake them," etc Ueicning to the opening perloimance at. t lie \\ ellingtou lown Hall, wheie the enU-itaiiuiunt has just concluded an extraordinarily sitci/esslul season, tho " JDominion " says:—" Notwithstanding th« tiempestuous weather, there was an" immense, audience at the Town Hall last evening to witness the first display in this city of Macmahon's Equisits Pictnres, a living picture enieitainment which introduces the latest and most finished phase of cincmuLograpuy. The pictures are undoubtedly very good indeed, and as the (subjects ai-e new it. goes witliout saying that half lies lonn will want to sej them during th.r emeng week. The rain swished down in torrents outside, but what- did that maCcr when tho cinematograpJi transported tints audience in a Hash to sunny Japan, with beautiful dancing geishas, fair gard- lc gorgeous with Oriental embellL-liti wit. Th-.-pictures were so perfect in detail, u,v tuso in colour and atmosphere, in fact so fict from any suggestion that if it. was not actually life in Japan, for the time being those present lived in another hcJiiispher" A very dramatic story is that pictured in Pierrot's Jealousy. Pierrot has been ma<l dened by Pieretle. and treats her ratlin badly, but lemorse overtakes him in hi. dreams, and he fancies that. hj« has killeo her, and that justice has secured his person, and is about to give him the happj despatch with the aid of Mc.ine. (jruiliotine, when he wakes up, rushes to the abode of his Pierettie, to find her in tesis, which are quickly chased away by h.t> manifestations of love.. Tho whofe .entertainment, which is certainly of a remarkable and delightful character, is worked out with bewildering ingenuity." The box plan is now open at the Dresden.

ROTORUa MAORI ENTER TAINERS. '

According to all reports to hand, residents of Timaru have a. treat in store for them in the appearance on Friday night of the clever Maori Entertainers from Eotorua, who, under the direction of the- Rev. F. A. Bennett, have jiisb completed a most successful tour of the North Island, their performances' in Wellington being nightly .witnessed by packed and enthusiastic audiences. The universal verdict of the Press of that city was that their performance was the " mist magnificent and unique entertainment ever presented to a Wellington audience." The company, which is a particularly strong one, contsisting of 30 members, gives a true picture of Maori life, representing- the Maori afc home, at play and at war, and by the aid of new and picturesque scenery and specially manufactured dresses a meet d«-ligh'ful scene is presented to the audience which none can refrain from admiring.. Apart from the Maori games and pastimes inseparable from the every day life of the native, the company have won abundant laurels by the highly artistic rendering of unaccompanied quartettes, male and fema.e, and by their rollicking plantation melodies sung and acted by the full choir. It may be mentioned that two able instrucf"is were secured in the persons of Mr F. M. Lyons, the musical director, and Mr J. H. Lyons," the advar.ee manager, both from South Australia, and under their supervision (ho company have made wonderful progress during the Jast few months and have set, out on this tour of the dominion thoroughly equipped in musical knowledge and stage deportment. The object of the- tour being to raise funds for the betterment of 'the Maori people and to make better citizens of them, the movement lias been mrst generously supported by all sections of the commun-'ty, theatre-goers and non-theatre-goers alike, and that the desire of Mr Bennett to accomplish this is not eutopian, has been proved by ocular demonstration at the instructive, and ■ entertaining performances which the company provide. Seats may be reserved at the' Dresden without extra cost.