AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13874, 10 April 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PROFESSOR, M. SHPIWOOI)/ '.;

In an interview, Professor wood, the manager of; the/ Royal, gave same . details . Which snow.; the swift rise in popularity of .picture.;.entertainments. ' It is stand the fascination of Jiving 'picture*,, he said. Most people/leanr far. taore,:, through the eyes than by ■ any other, means, and in the theatres instructionand healthy amusement are iblendedCin*:. an ideal way. People who could never,'.. afford to travel are able, to ■see : cities and far-olf places of the . ivoMtt, ■ pass before tlieir eyes'., ..They,_ean.. watch great industries at. work.'..They-;; can see famous foreign, actors, ; thev can laugh at tne ~'<t rick 1 " filnK.. which has introduced a new kind, of humour, the ridiculously 1 impossible'. People must not run a,way with ,tne. idea that tlie present interest in living , pictures is merely a boom. . It is on . the contrary the outcome of steady/;progress, and the gradual- achievement*, of perfection in the film'apparatus and 1 comfort of the audience. v . Cmenlatojrgraphy will live as long as of which it is an advanced-'.plifoe. In-, stead of dying out, I, thmlß<it will' advance still more. The, jitftural colour; will come next, and wo*' already the application or the natural' voice by the aid of the gramophone. ifeC will not bo long before whole, plays, -■ with the actors' voices reproduced, will be one of the features of : cinenlatogra{>h i, shows. You will find at the Theatre Royal, Timaru, the latest requirement in the shape of fireproof coii&truction. l ' I do not use the ordinary'iron box i;or an operating room; mine-is asbestoslined and built into the "structure.

People have asked me if I think" 'Timaru will run a permanent show. My answer is yes. In the' first plapo, if a good performance is given and the programme constantly '.•tins public Will realise the fact that . thtjy can see as good an up-to-date show as that which is given in any'metropolitan centre. lam pleased so far with the prospects. Some managers ruii away with the idea that as they aro only, showing one or two nights the pubhV of Timaru will stand anything./ Tliiit is a great mistake, judging irom tho. way in which they appreciate a guptl performance. It goes 16. proro they are good critics. I shall give tliem the best pictures, and also the best vaudeville talent available, and I can assure you that my -pictures will be large, and particularly steady, and I can guaranteee no strain,on the eyes. All my artists are good and know their work, and they are sure to amuse the audience.

Well, about my giving. one night a week for charitable causes. ' My first will be in aid of the Old Men's Home, or the hospital funds. I .was talking to a clergyman, and I learn, judging from our short conversation, that Timaru is to be congratulated, as I find there is very little charity required'' here, which is pleasing to know. So-t have made up my mind to help the local boys in any of their sports, such as raising funds for tho clubs, but should any accident occurr; where help is needed, the theatro and my perform-/ ers are at disposal. You can, assure your readers that any deserving case sent to your office will have my prompt attention. ■ .