AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13942, 30 June 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

I THE SKATING RINK. The many devotees of roller skating in the town, spent happy and profitable hours iu tlie rink yesterday, both during the afternoon and evening sessions. The instructors were kept busy teaching the novices, the art of parading round the hall without falling on the floor more than was absolutely necessary, and it was gratifying to see the numbers who have already profited by their teaching, skating more or less gracefully. It is wonderful how well this form of amusement has taken on in Timaru, and present indications point to the fact that it has come to s;tay. Quite a large number of persons liiivo become expert, and the testimony of those- who have learned the pleasures of the pastime is daily increasing the ranks of the skaters. The floor is in first-class order, and- the roller skates provided for patrons leave notliing to be desired. The management is most attentive to beginners who are all carefully tutored and very soon learn how to move round the rink without walking. SHERWOOD'S PICTURES. Without doubt, for all round excellence, the programme of pictures put on by Professor Sherwood at the Theatre Royal last night was quite one of the best he has ever shown there, and two of the pictures alone, were worth the price of admission to see. Starting with a novel and amusing comic film entitled "An Aviator's Experience" which introduced incidentally tiome good views of an aeroplane in flight, the second picture was of dramatic nature "A Boy's Conscience'' which depicted with considerable realism how a boy employed by thieves turned the tables upon his rascally masters. "Dr Right's Invention" was aii interesting farcical and novel film, which caused great merriment and must be seen to be appreciated. Still another comic tale was told in the picture entitled "The Cheeky Model.' A touching subject was the next series "A Child's Forgiveness," and then followed one of the two gems of the evening a very beautiful picture of "The Thames in Winter." This picture has evidently been taken from the deck of a boat, slowly drifting down the picturesque upper reaches of the Thames, and on either side the delicate tracery of the frost encrusted branches of trees and snow clad cottages and fields look ilke a veritable fairyland, a chilly fairyland it is true, but none the less beautiful on that account. The film is bright and clear and splendidly stereoscopic, the scencrv standing out solidly and effectively. The next film "A Dumb "Witness" pourtrayed in novel manner how a bio•iraph is made to give important evidenco in a law court, to the benefit of an innocent girl who has been charged with theft. A couple of comics went well, and then came a stirring adventure of the famous scout "Rifle Bill," the action bein<£ laid amid picturesque scenery. A pathethie little story of n convict and his pet dove enlisted the sympathies of the audience, and the very amusing picture of the "Dog and

the Pipe" graphically illustrated a well-known story. The series of. "Scenes in Ancient Egypt" showing Jino views of the Pyramids,' tho tcmalso of llamescs I, Memphis, Karnack, Moses and Hebes, the Sphinx and tho colossi of Mcmnon, was almost as good as si trip to the East and gave a, fine idea of these ancient relics of the early Egyptian civilisation. Tho two last pictures were tho dramatic "Romance of a Queen" and a comic. The same excellent programme will be shown this evening.

DICKENS ILLUSTRATED

Charles Davenport, the prince of Dickens entertainers, was formerly a barrister, with an extensive practise, and his knowledge there gained of legal men and manners is very noticeaole in some of his characterisations, a particular case in point being his delightfully refreshing impersonation of Sergeant Buzfuzz. He is a man of brilliant parts, possesses an excellent presence and fine voice, and his memory is phenomenal. He delivers the masterpieces of Dickens from cover to cover without note' or prompter, not after the manner of a mere reciter but with Kaleidoscopic changes of emotion. His dramatic intensity is said to be remarkable, while his humour is of the happiest and best, and fairly sparkles with flashes of perfect fun. "The Cream' of Pickwick, David' Copperfield (Dickens'" own favourite book), and Nicholas Nickleb.y" is the entertainment promised for Friday next at the Assembly Rooms, and lovers of the immortal author are counselled to secure their seats early at the Dresden and avoid disappointment, as the management cannot arrange for more than one evening in Timaru.