ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2173, 24 April 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WEST’S PICTURES AND' THE BRESCIANS

Tho crowded house that welcomed tile return of AVe.st’s Pictures and the Brescians on their return to Gisborne, at His Alajesty’s Theatre last evening, clearly showed that the popularity of a liigh-class cinematograph entertainment, combined with an enjoyable concert of vocal and instrumental’ music, is as great as ever. The company has been entertaining the larger towns of Now Zealand now for nearly three years; but it is doubtful if they have met anywhere a more enthusiastic and appreciative audience a.s that which greeted the rising of tho curtain last evening. Tho full house, and tho frequent outbursts of applause were fully merited, for the public was presented with an entertainment that was both educative and enjoyable. Tho pictures shown, had been gathered from many parts of the world, and their variety showed most careful attention. There was a distinctiveness and definition seldom found in cinematograph photography, and the up-to-date machine used to project the views provided an entire absence of flicker. Tho colored films were especially good, and the subjects dealt with wore entirely new. A-series, of views showing Living Egypt, from Cairo to Khartoum, was especially interesting, and for the time being tho audience paid a flying visit to the land of tho Pbaroahs, saw the Arabs in their bazaars and market places, the Bedouins, children of the desert, at war, at sport, and at prayer; they stood in front of the great pyramids, gazed upon the Sphinx; embarked upon a steamer upon tho Nile, saw the greta work at tho Assouan dam, the old temples and palaces now in ruins, ascended the lower cataract with its surging waters, and stood outside the walls of Khartoum. The imaginary itinerary was most realistic and convincing, and the series of films were deservedly applauded., “Picturesque Canada” was another series showing many interesting scones of the country that is attracting the immigrant. The “magic” films included a beautifully colored series, entitled “AA r onderful Flames,” at which colored fires, at the will of Alephistopheles, transformed into the most graceful Parisian ballet dancers; and “When tho Devil drives,” in which His Satanic Majesty is in command of a railway train and drives it, to the mystification of the passengers, under the sea, over mountain tops, and lastly through space to its destination, tho views of the wonders of the sea- as thoy would appear to tho passengers being particularly ingenious. Tlio humorous pictures were irresistible, and greatly delighted tlio audience, old and young. They included, “Willie’s Dream,” iu which a small boy’s dream of a day’s fun and mischief is typically pourtrayed; “Tho Runaway A r an,” in which a furniture cart cuts most unusual capers; “The Irresistible Piano,” “She AA’ould Sing,” and the “Magnetic Man.” A fine- study of tho fidelity of a horse and dog was shown in the picture “Dumb Sagacity,” The Brescians musical programme was equally enjoyable, each item being encored. The opening number was a selection from AMncent AYallace’s opera- “Alaritana,” in which tho company sang portions of the numbers,“Scenes that are brightest,” “Let me like a soldier fall,” and “Alas those chimes.” Air. Rudall Hayward sang “Simon the. Cellarer,” and Air. Alaurice Chenowetli Adams’ pretty song, “Roses.” Aliss Adelina Alartinengo, who is a finished violinist, played Danclia’s andante movement “Lo Cygne” and allegro movement “Saint Saens.” Aliss Antonia j.V;|artinengo sang “A needle in a haystack,” while Air. Fred Alills, the popular comedian of the company, brought down tho house with his comic songs, “By degrees” and “Sandy AlcClusky.” Tho performance this evening will be the last of tho present season, and an entirely new programme will be presented. .