THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14015, 25 September 1909, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

PATHE PICTURES. A fairly good house greeted the opening performance of the new Patho Picture combination in the Theatre Royal, last night, when an excellent programme <>t biographic .subjects was projected on to the calico. Mr Henry rtayward, whose name, is a household one in tlio animated picture world, is the moving spirit in tho enterprise, and has obtained a.lease of the Theatre here, it being his intention to present a selection ot the latest and best- films, not less than three times a week, and oftener if the support ho is accorded warrants it. A brand new Pa the machine, which cost the respectable sum of £7O, has been installed, and with its silent aid the projection of the pictures is accomplished with an entire absence of flicker or vibration of any kind, and as brightly as the electric power available will allow. Altogether Mr Hayward is managing a dozen picture shows in the dominion, a couple in Auckland, one in each of the three other centres, also in Waihi, Napier, an dherc. l>osides two large touring combinations and three smaller on&s ami is catering for the amusement- and instruct ion of about 40,000 people weekly. With a clientele of this magnitude it will be understood that Mr Hayward is particularly able to arrange for the best of pictures and the programmes shown here will be exactly the same as shown in Christchureh and the larger towns. The pictures last night were a very good selection, the film showing the splendid public gardens of .Berlin, being especially good. Another star film was the pictorial dramatisation of Dumas' powerful story "The Lady of Monsoreau,'' a. beautifully staged and acted production, in which some good sword fights are shown. "Should there be war'' was a graphic film, that showed the horrors of war very vividly: "The Shepherd of the Alps " was acted amid charming mountain scenery, and a later picture gave .some charming phases of cat-life. The comics were a very amusi%>; and original lot. There will I>e a matinee this afternoon at 2 for children, and on Monday evening the same programme will be shown.