OPERA HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 26 October 1912, Page 8

OPERA HOUSE

"MIDNIGHT WEDDING" AND PERCIVAL'S "CHRONICLE."

The Opera House was packed last evening upon the occasion of a benefit to the Durie Hill School. The committee could hardly have chosen a better occasion for1 «■ '".benefit." .since the programme presented w<ao one of the very best yet screened in Wanganui. The "Chronicle" was a splendid "draw," without any manner of doubt, and those who have not seen it should go along to the Opera House this evening. The items of local interest are al well presented, and the film is beautifully clear. The river views have been very highly commented on, and in this respect the film should be a good advertisement for the town. There is also a faithful representation of "The Midnight Wedding," a subject which lends itself admirably to picture dramatisation. This-popular drama is probably well enough known in this town, and it would therefore be considered superfluous to give a description of this powerful dramatic production. Suffice it to say that the piece is pourtrayed in a first-class manner, an especial feature being the decidedly fine acting by the principals. The different scenes are very vivid, and are of tlio^ most thrilling description. Tonight is the last opportunity of witnessing this most excellent programme rightly classed as one of the best ever screened in the Opera House. MONDAY: "DANTE'S INFERa'O/ ! Un Monday there will be the s l presentation of this magnificent cinematographic film. There has been quite a furoro created by this picture in < jte reputation has preceded it for the booking at the box office has been remarkable All who wish to see what is claimed to be amagnificent picture interpretation of Dante's famous work should make every effort to be present. } «c him has the distinction of receiving great praise from th o King of Italy to whom a copy of the film was preMn •f y Producing company. His Majesty says, inter alia, " . He an preciatcs the lofty sentiments which have given rise to the production, and he has charged me (his secretary) with t.on lhc film is ,a beautiful photographic reproduction of Dante's mental creation of "Hell," and is paSoi< tUiS Btlo + - *? ts length mak*jt one +wSeS^film? yet sent out > being 0000 teet. The cost of producing it tl, TU°i°rmo^' and lt sa-vs much for opportunities have been availed of to scribl 1- Toattemnt to dt scribe a film like this would occunv columns but the sinonsis of the list couple of scenes wilf suffice. "ThS next come upon Count Ugolino Jnlv mg the skull of Archbishon ItuStrV On being asked the story of hisF life* Ugolino tells Dante that in the polil tics of his time he has been fate? „ if i ? n£ tvv° grandchildren were confined m the tower of Pisa. W-c-d iVi T? ar e xincertai» "s to their trio unfal Ugolino is roused by .his vouog^t crying for bread, and not antH now 2A da! n upo,n. Ug°]i«« that they \ n ? +i° Starv?v him iand hi« children th I a?- ~ D»nte' and Virgil enter the first nit of the last circle, Dante hears the voice of Friar Amerigomhe who caused the death of his own brother. They *ow .behold iSdfer who according to Dante. stand Tat the centre of the earth, his huge bod< Ml cl dmh -° V? r ft,.« reot ll Ins mouth is dangling the l>odv of the betrayer of ChrisWudas Iscariot, th! teeth of Lucifer closing like huge en- I gines over the body of Judas." From I the last two sentences may be formed an idea of what the picturemay be like | Ihe piece is wonderfully enacted -cm I'■ the best of sfor artists taking pn:in tne production, while the'scenes sre just superb, extravagantly po " Knc cial music will bo rendered by'the orchestraduring the screening of Dto'.s Inferno."

Jffrvw reminded to book their seats .at. O'Har.i's not later tkvi t