AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE FORTY THIEVES." The second performance of the "Williamson pantomime, "Tho Forty Thieves,'* at thi Theatre RoyaJ last .night, was witnessed by a largo audience. Tho gorgeous mounting of the piece and the many novelties introduced were thoroughly appreciated, the applause being frequent and spontaneous. To-night "Tho Forty Thieves" will be repeated, and to-morrow, in addition to the ovening pcrformaaica. thero will be a, matineo.

OPERA HOUSE. A large and appreciative audience asHAnablad at the Opera House last night, wnen & r«wr programme was presented by the Fuller-Brennan Company. The programme contained some vary novel and attractive features, and tho entertainment provided was highly enjoyed. One of the now artists to appear was Mr Fred Swift, who gave a musical comedy turn. Ho played airs by pressing little musical instruments hidden in nis clothes, extracted further melody from the tips of a pair of gloves he donned, and handed out more music by pressing down tho bulbs of a suet oi motor horns diatonically scaled. The last named was a distinct novelty, and it went well. Dale Winter and May Field, twa American ladies, discovered sleeping when the curtain rose, arose from slumber to present a most entertaining littlo scene, which contained as its chief features a display of ▼cry classy gown 3, rind a selection of operatic airs interwoven with other work. Tlie "Blue Danube" song from '•The Ni_*h thirds," the "My Hero" eong from "Tho Chocolate Soldier," were two of. the priccinnl items, and they were eung very prettily by ono of the ladies. The New- York # Comedy Four, who excel in quartet work, gavo a generous selection of numbers. By special request, they Bang tho "Soldiers' Chorus** from "Faust," and followed that np with a patriotic eong, "Comrades m Arms." Both wera enthusiastically received. An interesting novelty, "Motor v. Man," was presented by Davis and Gledhill. The two men, mounted on cycles pedalled furiously oyer a tet of rollers which operated miniature figures sot in a circular i track, and which progressed according to tho rate of speed achieved by tho men. A motor-cycle, ridden by a lady, waa -also set going, and this operated a third figure. The contest was most exciting, and some remarkable times wero recorded. Other artists to appear were Miss Laviuia Tyson (balladist), Mias Ray do .Verp (Australian balladist), Crotton and Kremka (athletes), Mr James Opie (descriptive vocalist), and Irve Havman and Co., who put on a playlet, "Tlio Eternal Triangle." The programme will be repeated every night this week, and on Saturday there will ho a matinee performance in addition! GLOBE PICTURES. Tha iiew pictures shown at the Globe Theatro yesterday were witnessed by

large attendances of patrons at all sessions. "An Alaskan Interlude" was the principal attraction, and this film contained a really powerful story. The •wife of a Government official -stationed • out in the wiids, frets over the lonoliof tho life and longs to return to civilisation. One day her husband sets - out on a long trip, and leaves her in charge of a considerable sum of Government money hidden in the shack. At nightfall a stranger appears, a man' benumbed-and destitute. Sho refuses at first his appeal for aid, but finally grants him shelter for the night. At a late hour she hears a eteaithy noise outside, and tho door of tho cabin silently and surreptitiously opens. - Fearing robbery, sho rouses the sleep- ' ing wayfarer, and he comes to her aid. • A masked figure enters and is shot. The mask is. lifted from tho nian'i* face, and there tbo woman finds her hust hand. He resorted to this scheme to : procure ftrads to cnablo his wife to • leave; he never counted on the tragic 'end. "Tho Flirt" (drama),' "Street Scenes in Naples'* /"travel), and "Whon Dreams Come True" (Keystone comedy) were good supporting films. The -programme will be repeated to-day ; ' QUEEN *s"TraEATRE. Tho hew programme at the Queen's ' Continuous Picturo Theatre to-day is

tfeatured by a' novel and sensational ■', drama, entitled 'The Brass Bowl,' 5 in a young girl enters a man's -... house with the intention of robbing '. him. t As tho man enters the door ho is eurpnsed to see the girl coming out. ; On entering bo finds that she has left : her finger prints in the dust on tho /table. The samo ovening he detects .". tho girl opening a safe m his room. ' Sho espies Turn, but takes him for a ro- • no-wnea "'crook" whom the man ' tftrangoly resembles. Acting in his new ' .. role £o consents to go lialves with the ; prl. While they are talking together ; the real * criminal arrives on the soeno, , and later knocks him eenseless arid coes to tha girl. Fearing, arrest he gives 'the girl the stolen jewels, and later t knocss bis impersonator senseless. Tho • girl.eventually discovers the true state of affairs, and returns the jewels to ' their rightful owner. The other new films are:—The latest "Topical Bud- : get,"' "Samarkand and Ancient ■Mosques" (Pathe scenic), "When the ■ Heart Changes" (Lubin drama),' and • "Wiffles Goes to the Dentist" (Pathe --; comic).

. THE COLOSSEUM. One -of- Cines's* sensational dramas : comprises the leading film in the now {irogramme presented at the Colosseum ast evening, to a very good '.'house." Tho title of "The Golden Beetle,'.' and the adventures incorporated in the film, make it one of the most amazing and thrilling pieces of work seen here for ■ -some time. The whole of the 3000 ft is crammed with incidont, and one of tbo ieats of the heroes is the'descent of a precipice in human ladder fashion—one ' of. the finest feats ever performed for ■ cinematographic purposes. An exciting plot is unwound in the courso of the -elm, and maintains, interest perfectly. ' v * "A Real English .Winter" 5s a film that " will.stir many memories and-ideals of ■an.Old Country Christmas, aud con•titutes a big "drawing" asset. In the "Ga-setto" an item of topical interest .is the appearance of a portion of the •French Fleet, which will bo participating in the European war now opening. The dramatic and comic sections in the ■ programme are of unusual merit. The

*sarae films will be screened this evening, and for the remainder of the week. GRAND THEATRE An excellent programme of 3. varied character was screened at the Grand Theatro yesterday, and drew very large •audiences. Tho "star" picture was one entitled "Tho Fight for tho Black Diamond." ' The drama, although a [lengthy .one, holds the interest from , start to finish, while there are many excit-ing incidents, especially the scone depicting a fight under the soa. The Betting and staging are very fine, and 'the photography excellent. Anothor drama, called "Elizabeth's Prayer," found instant favour with the patrons. Some very fine acting, in wluch pathos was predominant, created quite an impression. Thero, were two comedies, "Through the Neighbour's Window" and "Pimple's Derby," the latter showing the irrepressible Pimple in one of his burlesques. A pretty scenic, "Levant Riviera," completed tho proframme. The samo set of pictures will c shown at all sessions to-day. with.' the addition of tho latest member of the "Eclair Journal." HAYWARI>'S~PICTURES. ' "The Lure of London" was the' "star" dramatio : film in the change of programme presented at His Majesty's Theatro last evening, and it well de-f-ervod the place of honour assigned it. The story is wound round the kidnapping and subsequent adventures of the three year-old . daughter of a juarlcy street "surgeon, and in those adventures, which lead u'timateiv to the usual "satisfactory termination," a certain •.mount of the picturesque side of Lon-

don is shown. The supporting films in the programme.are unusually good. The "Gazette" is t as usual, full of good topical material, and films representative of the sights of Rome and 6ome aspects of bird life command attention. "Tho Joy Ride" ia a comedy of more than ordinary merit, and contains a finale that is absolutely laughter-mak-ing. The drama "His First Love," which develops a, pretty sentimental theme, completes a programme of considerable merit and interest, which will bo repeated during the week. sydkvhajTpictures. There was a good attendance at the Sydenham Theatre last night, when a new and very interesting programme was presented. The featuro drama, "Tho Lure oi London," is a dramatic romance of life in London. Daisy, a ohiM of wealthy parents, 6trays from hor homo, and after wandering through the London streets, is taken by Charlie Brooks, a child, to his hovel in tbe East End, where sho is adopted by his parents, nnd is soon transformed into a flower-seller. Her life from then onward is full of heart-touching situations, but in the end she is restored to her father. Tho "Gaumont Graphic,'' containins the latest of tho world's news: "His First Love" (drama), "Visions of Rome" (scenic), "Studiea in Bird Lifo," and "The Joy Kide" complete tho programme, which will be repeated to-night. MR ALEXANDER WATSON.

Mr Alexander Watson, tho wellknown English reciter, who delighted Christchnrch audiences some two years ago, will make his re-appenra"ce for a brief ceason in tho Theatre Rnva! on Monday evening next. Mr/ William Archer, the doyen of London critics. Mr Geo. R. Sims, and Mr T. P. O'Connor havo each do-voted special articles in praise of Mr Watson's work; whilst tho regular critics of tho great English and Australian dailies have been no less ready to express their appreciation of his unique performances. Whether ho bo illustrating the simpering manner of vain Malvolio, tbe amusing vagaries of benevolent Pir-kwick, or tho blunt ways, of Kipling's sunburnt soldier?** Mr Wesson is' equally able and convincing. His hearers cease to be passive listeners to a mere "word recital"—they become tense, wideeyed spectators of tbe very deeds recounted. Plnns for the season will bo on view nt Milner and Thompson's tomorrow morning. OLYMPIA RINK. Roller-skating still maintains a big pormlarity, and tho Olympia Rink was well attended nt nil sessions yesterday. To-day tlio rink will bo onon from JO to 12.' 2.30 to 5, 5.30 to 7,' and 7.30 to 10 p.m.