AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The Brandon-Cremer Dramatic Company concludcd their five weeks' season in t. hristchuroh on Saturday night, when, before a large and appreciative audience, they repeated Sydney Grundy's farcical comedy "Much Harried." OPERA HOUSE. Both performances at the. Opera House on Saturday wero very largely attended, «h® theatre being filled to overflowing at night. In the first half the Hairy Farrow Pantomime Company successfully repeated "Babeo ill the Wood," in which li\sa Iris Edmonds, one of t-ho babes, was warmly applauded for licx sweet singing. The various ballets were much enjoyed, and the oomedy evoked very hearty laughter. Miss Maud Courtney and Mr C. appeared on the vaudeville bill for the last time, and their turn was greatly appreciated. ' Bertram and Raymond , (oomedy sketch artiste), Ward Lear and tho Baiancinos (athletes) all made farewell appearances, and ,each turn leoeived its full an are of applause. An entirely new vaudeville bill will bo given, in tho seoond part of to-night's programme. Tho star turn will bo that of Mr Murry .Livingstone, a .leading American music-hall artist, who will present a line protean act entitled "The Dreamer." As an impersonator Mr Livingstone comcs with a brilliant reputation. Another big act will be that of Aubrey and Rich, two American girls who stage a song and dance specialty, a leading feature of which is their- excellent wardrobe and stage sconery. Supporting thcoe two acts, which will be presented for a limited season of five nights only, will be Ciemei and Arnold, lato of tho Brandon-Ciem<*r Dramatic Company, who will present a comedy sketch; Ley wood and N orell, a burlesque comedy team; and Miss Nellie Kollo, Australia's popular oomcdienne, who will be well remembered by Christchurch audienoce for her excellent male' impersonations on her lost visit. The box plans are at Milncr and Xhompaon's, and seats may also be reserved by telephone at the theatre.

"DICK WHITTINGTON" PANTOMIME. The big J. C. Williamson Pantomime Extravaganza will make ite first appearance here at tiio Theatre Ko/al on i«'riauy next, at a quarter to 8. The management etate that no expense, labour, or trouble has been spared in making the premier attraction of IUIB —"Dick Whittington"—a memorable production. The Australian Press has referred to tho beauty and elegance of the entertainment which, notwithstanding war conditions, did very big business in both Melbourne and Sydney. i deal of the eucoee3 is possibly attributable to. the excellence of the cast. Miss Vera Pearce, it is agreed, has made a distinct succces as the impeccable "Dick." Othere who are exceptionally well spoken of are Mis 3 Paulino Bindley ("Alice"), Misa Constance Cayloy ("Rupert"), Miss Pearl Ladd ("Princess Rosy Dawn"), Miss Ethel Walker ("Fairy Dulcibelle"). All the principal comedians who were engaged in last year's pantomime, are again in this. Again Mr Arthur Stigantwill be the Dame ("Molly the Cook") Mr William Fullbrook will be eeen in a fine character etudv ("Alderman Fitzwarron"). Probably Mr Billy 1® Bran is one of the most famous animal actors of the day, eo much amusement may be anticipated in his impersonation of "Thomas" the Cat. Miss Maggie Dickinson will be premiere daneeuse. Among the many and varied specialty acts with which the pantomime is liberally endowed, that of the Camille trio, a famous European combination, stands out prominent, ly. Altogether some 150 people will take part in the pantomime. The box plans for the season of 6 nights and 2 matinees will be opened at Milner and Thompson's on Wednesday morning.

CRYSTAL PALACE. A charming una uuuny lomimoo, "Every Girl's .Dream," will be Uio duet attraction at toe Gi'j'ssal l'&lace this wost, &od in it that litscinauiig acucas, juoe impute, wut bo seen in the principal role. in a way the play is a phanukoy, . built' on conventional bat it is none the less in teresung for ail tiiat, and the soane of it, luia in Holland, is quaiut and picturesque. 'J.he story ojieus in a town called Olenburg, a piaoo tamed for its pretty girls. Una ot these is Uretcnen, wno lives witn hex foster mother, Jdr3 Van Lorn, Uxetchcn is beloved by ail, ©specially by Curl, a wood-cutter, vvlio also is. a loater child. Unfortunately Mynheer Do Hons, tho old town lawyer and capitalist, also has his eye on Grotchen, and as ho hciaa a inortguye on til© Van Lorn property, lie has a strong lover to use. Hulda, a dark beauty, loves Carl, and is determined that Grotchen shall not get him, and sho kindly notifies Mrs Van Lorn (who favours the old lawyer for obvious reasons) whenever Call and Gretchen sjre together. Ono day Do Haas cornea to "pop the question." A3 he is making a fervent plea a -friend fastens a fishhook to his wig. When he get* up off goes hiß vij. Grctchen, laughs heartily, and Mynheer leaves in a rage. Determined to make the Van Lorn family •pay for the insult he looks for the mortgage in Ids pocket. It is not there. Ho has Grctchen arrested as tho thief, and she a put into the stocks. Meanwhile Carl, who has a mysterions birth mark on his back, is Eeized by the attendants of the reigning sovereign, and carried off. The story goes on to show how Gretchen's innoocnoo is established, how Carl is really the rightful heir to the throne, and how everything ends happily, though not possibly how the audience thought it would at fin;t. In addition to the Fox film, a Mack Bennett comedy, entitled "Her Hidden Purpose," with Chester Conklin and Marie Prevost in the leading parts, will bo shown, and also tho twelfth episode of the mystery serial, "Who is Num. her One?" At the evecinjr sessions Mr James Cocks, the popular baritone, will sin? "Bright Eves Glance," and "A Big Lot of Surshine Coming Soon." Each evening, at 7.30, the Crystal Palaco orchestra will play the overture to "Maritana" (Wallace).

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Margarita Fischer, everybody's favourite, -will be greeted with joy in her new play, "Molly Go Get 'Em," fct tbo Queen'i Theatre

this week. Tho plot is an. unusual one, and Margarita is as pert and as charming as ever. Xho elory is reuily a eerice of entertaining. incidents cleverly strung together, and has principally to do with the mischievous interference of a girl in her elder sister's matrimonial prospects. Molly is without conscience in most things, including her father's chequebook. The first introduction to hor finds tho charming scapegrace sneaking out of tho room while ner father is examining a dress bill for 198 dollars, and trying to ward off an attack of apoplexy. Molly gets into a scrapo through going to a boll in her sister's dress, and with that same sister's beet beau. Complications arise on tho homeward journey through the break-down of the motor oar, 'and the young couple walk home. Molly falls in for a very severe reprimand, but she carte little for that, for sho onjoyed herself. One of the many higlily-diverting incidents is when the girl capturet a bogus count, who has stolen hor sister's jewels. Tho crowning "6tunt" of her vivacious career is her elopement with tho young man from next door, for whom Molly suddenly findo she has a deep and lasting affection. From what has been heard of Molly it will be doubted whether ehe was capable of anything lasting at all, except an ever-abiding desire to play pranks on people, but the youn? man is satisfied that in Molly ho has secured a prize, and Molly, from the last glimpse that is seen of her smiling, happy face, is evidently satisfied with her latest escapade, so it is not for the mere audience to question the wisdom of her act.

Among the excellent supporting films are the 9th episode of "The Lasß of the Lnmberlands," "Tho Gulf Between," a thrilling drama; "A Mix-up at Rudolphs" (comedy), and a very interesting picture of the South African Whaling Industry.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. TOe elar iJiciuro winch will Uo shown at EVeiyboays iliia week marks iul epoch in tho nisiory ot the plioto-piay, and tht> cuiunotiaauou ol "iue iNauimika," Kuajtud n.ipimgs world famous novel, is an ovtuit wiucii no lover oi tho great Angio-xndian writer, will mifcs. Xiio .failie coiupaaiy uie tae proauoera ui uiis maguiiicent lum, and they have B^area no or piaus to obluan Uio true atmosphere of the. mysterious i£aai. Antonio ALuiono, a clever ivuiencan. acior, takes tiio part of tho; young hustler, tiorn tho baoii-bloclis of Colorado, and does as. lino work as while the worwl-Jamed danoer, lioraidina, c&ptivu.i<ee' tno onlooker with her astonianmg peribrmancce. Her dances aro indeea redolent of tue luxury and langour of the .East. I'hc part of the American girl, who deems herself called upon to eavo tho women of India, is filled by Helen ChadwioK, whilo the opium sodden Rajah, who owns the JXaulahka jewel, ib admirably portrayed by Warner Uiand. 'i'ne swny is eo well known that it is hardly neceseary to recapitulate it. It will be recalled how two Colorado townships each cspired to get tho eame railway, and a young man from on© of theeo towns undertook to get _ tho great jewel, tho Naulahka, for the wife of tho raiUoad preeident, so that the railway would coma to his town, also how the girl he loved went to India on a medical mission, and how they met there, and what escapee ho had in trying to got tho jewel, and hpw they both reached home again eventually, and tho town of Topaz got tho railway. The mysterious magnificence and glamour of India is eaid to be perfectly reproduced. The supporting programme includcs> the fifth episode of tho exciting serial. "Tho Mystery of the Double Cross," entitled "lho Life Current." Tho orchestral items at iho evening session will include Chant Elegiaque," Op. 72, Tschaikowsky; "Indian Love Lyrics (Woodward-Finden); "Legende and Adas l * El6giaquc" fWieniawski); and "Ballet Egyptien" (Luigiui). A violin solo, "Eg a Kunysi" (Drdla) wSI be given by Mr Vere Buchanan, and a 'cello solo, "Caprice Hongroise" (Dunkler) by Mr G. J. Martinengo.

STKAND THEATRE. Tn "Uab's x* ior the iirst time .on a&iUiutijr Aou-fco ai.Mcaiua.uocb luo suivuU Aiii-aiie, Uiu.ui wl Ui Viv UClty IUKI lixo amount ol abauuan wo ciiitracucr oi a "au.Li-ut.-u.," a awbcii±>nou oi young lady who hub xioi qaiw omejfc«=a. 'torn Uttpi>oraoin, &iul h;is not iiiuae her UeDUt 111 suviuvjT. 'JLiiu uUiUuCwcr lo m«u>s aeugiixiui Lij Aukrguente winbuuia peibouiuity. 'Iho autucflcta follow hw th.ou 6 u her many and cxperieucco with utuuioyed joy. Ine vaiioua iuciatuio tiioy aevetup mo lull oi geuuuw iiuuior, auu ui?iuui was unioiaed to the accowtu-u'inoiu of uw huarnvet laughier. Xbe quaint, _mwspetlvd, woficuy-iviae citations Lroin jjuu » <ii*ry were another humorous featuio. ' Jiabs experienced sunt wiUi tne allocation by lier iuliner oi a yearly irllowauoe o£ one thousand dollars, tho understanding being Jiat she is to meet all her personal expenditure out oi this suin. It stoms eo huge tnat Bab s imagints that sne will nevei bo able to get througn it ail. l'ue purchaso, by hersell, ipid for heißCif, oi a motor-car, niukes a big how in the thousand, and as she lanes h-.r gieat g«l £ri<;ud out ior a joy ride, is linod lor inamng the speed limit look lite a tortoise, and haa to pay out ior damages cauted by the -ctt butting through a lence, and by a vauk waggon getting in the way and getting tho worst of it she finds, in totalling up, at the end of thia perfect day, that elia nua erxtfcen cents left wherewith to cloth© herself fo r the. remainder of the year, The humorous complications aro numerous, and cuimmato in Sab's capture of a supposed burglar—a young man who is about to ©iopo with her Bister, but who turns out to be a highly undesirable party. Throughout there is a fine admit turo of fun, and of dramatic incident, and the picture ifl admirably produced. lho American Gazette was noteworthy for its scones at one of Uncle Sam's training camps and boxing, wrestling, hand-ball, and the instruction of the tioops in singing wore vividly produoed. Victor Moore made much laughter in tho comedy, "Tho Instalment Plan," and tho Burton Holmes travelogue, picturing scenes and manners and customs in the Philippines, was most interesting. Today and this evening tho same programme will be ecroened.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Betsy Ross, the American girl who made the first American flag, will bo the star feature at th© Liberty Theatre this week, and the World Film Corporation has made a fascinating play around this historical subject. H. A. Du Souchet, the anthor of the story, first fashioned hin work for the stage, and tne screen vereion . shows many traces of its origin. Although history _ givte the making of the flag a3 the most important event in the life of Miss Betsy, the playwright usca it merely as an incident, her personal affairs of the heart taking up the larger part of the action. Through a misunderstanding, dlie to Betsy's sister wearing her cloak, the heroine's lover thinks she is untrue to him and fights a duel with his supposed nval, leaving him for dead. This is th© means of tying the usual dramatic tangle, which is only straightened out after Bctey has had several opportunities to exhibit her courage and loyalty. Alice Brady finds the character of the historic flag-maker quit® in her way. The supporting programme is excellent in quality. There will be a Gaumont Graphic, a firct-rate comedy by the Vitagraph Comptiny, entitled "Cop* and Ctuseaaees," and

"Tho Steeplechase*." The last-named film was built by the Pathe slow photographic process, and is of great sciontMo interest,, showing clearly tho muscular action of u horse in loapin^. ; STARLAND. Seesuo Hayakawa, "tho Japanoso Irving,"' ■will be tho hero of the chief featuro at Starland this week. This is a thrilling Mexican drama,* entitled "The Jaguar's Claw," and in it El Jaguar, a Mexican bandit, is seen m his desperate deeds, which terroriso tho wholo district, until Phil Jordan gets on his trail. In support will bo the Mack Sennett comedy, "It Pays to Exercise," and a Topical budget. CHANT) THEATRE. During tho past two or three days inteiwi has been taken in the usuaual activity in the north-western corner of Cathedral square, whero a email army of workmen havo been engaged on the structural alterations to tho Grand Theatre with which rapid program is being made. LADY LIVERPOOL FUND CONCERT. The third of the concerts in aid of the Lady Liverpool Christmas Parcels Fund was held in Everybody's Theatre last night, thin concert, like the one immediately praoeding it, being organised by Mrs Burnes-Loughnan. The theatre was crowded to the doors, many being unable to gain admittance On® of the most interesting features of a my fino programme was tho initial' appearance o' Miw Beryl Mareden, who Bang "0, Rest n the Lord" end "Devon Moor, and was insistently encored. -Miss Mareden has a contralto voioe of much promise, and her stylo and enunciation are excellent. Miss Millicent Jennings sang "Entreat Me not to Leave Thee," "La Marseillaise/' and "I've Been Roaming' for an encore. Sbe also sang charmingly in a duet with Mr J. Cocks, , the singers receiving another deserved encore. Mr J'. Cocks sang Gounod's "Lead, "Kind'y,. Light" and "Roses" are the Rhymes I- ■ Wreathe" as an encore. Misa Mina Ward;' ■ played two piano solos brilliantly, and Mr' o'. Martinengo played a 'oello solo,. * CapriceHongrofse," ana also an obbligato to ''Lead, Kindly Light." The accompaniste was Miss''*' Jean Mr Herbert Fox, who played a cornet solo. "The Lost Chord," and re- ■ oeived an enthusiastic reception, was aooompanicd by Miss Akerstezu

SKATING RINK; There ware large' numberi of sk&texa at all .' sessions on Saturday, the huge Colosseum also.' containing a big crowd of spectators at night, - when the distribution of prizes won at the ■ carnival took place. The rink will be ope Ti-to-day from > 10 a.m. till noon, 2,30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (learners'' session), and 7.30 p.m. till 10 Intending learners may make' arrangement with tho. management for private lessons.

A meeting convened by Mr L. B. Hart on behalf of. the "Tramway Copper Trail" was held in the Masonic Hall, Frank street. Papanui, on Saturday night. There was a moderate. attendance of the public, but the executive committee was well represented. Sir Hart stated that the Canterbury district had been divided into six sections, Fendalton and Papanui forming one. The object of the meeting was to form a committee to assist the other sections in on endeavour to raise the sum, of £20,000 for the purpose of obtaining Christmas parcels and trench comforts for the men at the front. \fter discussion tho scheme was approved, and the meeting formed itself into a committee, with power to add, to carry out the Papanui and* extension end, and combine with the present Parccls Committee already working if it so desires. Officers were appointed as follows: —Executive, Mr Patrick (chairman), Mr Orchard (secretary), and Mr W. Aitchison (treasurer); commit* tee, Mesdames Bradsliaw, Barnard, Taylor, Woodham, Stevens, and Jones, and Messrs McDonald, Blair, Witherington. Allirigton, F. Barnard, Burbormiph, and Buntin.