AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC

HAYWARD’S PICTURES. LYCEUM THEATRE. Tlie Second presentation of the current series of animated pictures took place at the Lyceum Theatre, last evening, and. met with the general approval of the audience. A new dramatic film was introduced into the series, and it is a masterpiece, by: the American Biograph Company. The picture is entitled “The Golden Supper,” an adaptation of the late Lord Tennyson’s poem. It is an exceedingly fine subject, in which joy and pathos are intimately joined. The poetic drama is set in scenes of stately orandcur, and the manner in which the principal parts are acted is singularly graceful and effective. “Under the Stars and Bars” was also a fine example of the dramatic film, and included some stirring events of the American Civil War. Patricia of the Plains” was another American dramatic study typical of the iVild .West.” A picture that won favour wit.) th» audience was entitled “A Plucky ■-.merican Girl,” and showed how a young girl frustrated'the efforts of a gang of dcsreradoos to wreck a train. A fine film entitled “Scientific Billiards” shows Reece, Hie English champion, executing some wonderful strokes. Every bdliardist shoulo make a point of witnessing turn great him, which is a remarkable one, before it is, withdrawn. Two very interesting films depict “Lemon Gathering in Sicily and A Tin Mine at Malacca.” A very Rood com - ody study is “Taming a Grandfather, ilm comic films comprise such screamers as ‘Tontalini a Prisoner for Love and The Golf Fiend.” Pathe’s Gazette and the Australian Gazette contain some very interest]ncr events. Hayward’s Orchestra rendered a fipe programme of incidental music TO-NIGHT this grand programme will be screened again, and another large attendance is anticipated. ____ HUGH J. WARD’S. FAREWELL. To-morrow evening, at the Opera House, y[ T Hu oh J. Ward and his company of comedians will make a farewell visit to Wanganui. The production whici they stave is a farce-comedy entitled seven Days.” The plot is a combination oi curious circumstances. The, first act opens with a burglar entering in semi-darkness, and this cracksman is on the stage unknown to the other characters throughout the three acts. His depredations arc atr tributed to occult influences, and the things the “spirits” are blamed for would make anv self-respecting spook buy its ‘shroud. In a few minutes the audience learns that Jim Wilson has been divorced from his wife Bella. Aunt Selma arrives on the scene. So as to throw dust in her ayes. Kit McNair, a bosom companion of Jim's, agrees to act the part of his wife, out her own lover turns up-, and matter.; vet in a tangle. The cook gets the smaLpox, the house is quarantined, seven days Mapse, the burglar is discovered, he gives the plot away to Aunt Selina, and the curtain falls amidst much hilarity. M?. tluo-h Ward has still associated with him Misses Grace" Palotta, Celia Ghiloui, Maud Chetwynd, Messrs Aubrey Malhleau, Reg. , Wykeham, Robt. Craig, and H.i H. Wallace. ANTONIA DOLORES. On Thursday and, Friday evenings. ' Mdlec.'iAntonia Dolores will give two concerts in the Opera House. Dolores’ fame as- oue of the sweetest of sweet singers needs no booming. - She is celebrated as rn artist, a genuine artist; and her kindly. nature and charming personality win her hosts of friends. Her songs, and her unging of them, charm everyone, and an evening in Dolores’ company is a long-i-oinombered pleasure, so satisfying is she ifter the cruditv and coldness of soma other so-called artists who have no shadow of a claim to the title. Dolores’ present tour of New Zealand—her fourth—has been a triumphal success; she seems to grow more popular with every visit. There s no reason to think that her experience in Wanganui will he any different, and the booking therefore promises to be heavy.

OPERA HOUSE. FULLER’S PICTURES. The excellent programme submitted by Messrs John Fuller and Sons drew a most appreciative audience to the Opera House last evening. Taken as a whole, the pictures were a first-class lot, one. a him of New Zealand’s scenic wonders, per medium of Pathe Freres’ colour cinematography, being worthy of special mention. It was certainly the best picture of its class that we have yet witnessed, one section especially—a series of views taken on the calm waters of a bush creek—was simply entrancing. Another film of great interest was Bathe’s “Animated Gazette,’’ which included glimpses of Horae football matches, international cross-country running, King George V. at his first Parliament; and the German Army. A film showing winter sports at St. Moritz afforded a capital idea of how the people of Switzerland amuse themselves when the snow is on the ground. 'The ski-jumping competitions were especially thrilling. Coming to the dramatic section, one is compelled to make special mention of “Winning Back His Love” and “The Vote that Counted”—two splendid films by the Biograph and Thanhouser companies respectively. The acting in both pictures was really excellent. A French production, entitled “An Eye for an Eye,” was hardly so good, several of the situations being obviously exaggerated. “The Gentleman Chaffer.r,” however, proved almost ao popular as the first-mentioned pair, the general setting of the film being excellent. Easily first as a comic subject was “Tweedledum as a Policeman,” the actor in the title-role proving himself a gifted comedian. Two comedy films—“ Captain Barnacle’s Chaperone” and “After the Ball” were responsible for a great deal of amusement. As the Opera House is engaged next Thursday, the firm will give two performances on Saturday—a matinee at 2.30 p.m., and an evening exhibition. Another record attendance at the Wanganui Band of Hope last evening.