AMUSEMENTS. MEETINGS, ETC

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11635, 12 August 1905, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS. MEETINGS, ETC

WEST'S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS.

The advent of a company of artists coming straight from the Old Country to open a colonial tour in this colony — a journey of over 13,000 miles — is deserving of more than, passing notice, and it -shows confidence in the merits of this organisation and attractions to warrant a manager commencing operations so far from his base. This is what has been undertaken by West's Pictures Company and the Brescians' Orchestra and Singers, who gave their last performance in the Old Country at Edinburgh on .February 4, caught the R.M.S. Corinthic five days later, reached Wellington on the 28th ult., and opened their season in His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, where they achieved a record success, upwards of 30,000 persons visiting their entertainment, hundreds being unable to gain, admission. From time ■to time various ciuematograpli displays liavo been exhibited in New Zealand, but a combination of the instrument and a concert company, . built up so as to accentuate the efforts of each — the singing and music, so to speak, illustrating - the pictures and disclosing the story to the ear and eye simultaneously — is a( , decided novelty in its way.. West's pictures come to the colony heralded by a chorus, of unstinted praise from the British' Press. They are a distinct advance in .cinematography, some specially beautiful coloured' examples being described as a' perfect revelation. Mr West has a ebmjJafly running all the year round in Edinburgh, and week by week has despatched to him the latest London pi'oduetiems., s& that an everchanging programme of novelties will be presented to his patrons. As regards the Bresciaus' Orchestra and Singers, their name is a household word in . the; Old Homeland, and a perusal of their-reper-toire is startling evidence of the versatility of the individual artists. A choir of solo singers and instrumentalists, who are equally at home in grand opera, comic opera, up-to-date imisical comedy, modern sentimental ballads, and the grand old songs (yet ever new and welcome), must provide a feast of har-money especially acceptable to cultured lovers -of • the- art •in Wanganui. The first appearance of this talented company in Wanganui will be in the Opera House oii Thursday evening next.