AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16261, 11 July 1918, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"DICK WHITTINGTON" PANTOMIME.

Judging by the geberous nature of the advance booking when tho plans were opened yesterday morning for the "Dick Whittington" pantomime, tho success of the sis nights' season. should bo assured. From a soenio point of view, it is stated Uiat tho "Dick Whittington" pantomime has achieved the zenith of the scene painter's art. Seventeen scenes are required to portray the big show. Theso havo been painted by Messrs W. R. Coleman and George Upward. Some of the effect® are claimed to 'be little short of wonderful. For the famous ballet of the Temptations has been executed an especially fine series of stage pictures, embracing "The Chimes," "The Clouds," and a stirrinp panorama illustrating the evi!« of "Play, Women, and Wine." In the second act, for tho fascinating "Vogue" ballet has been painted an extraordinary black and white "futurist" set. Tho bunks, tho cook's parlour, and the gardens of tho Cammillo trio are all remarkably clever soenio effects. The crowning success is reserved for the grand finale of the pantomime in the interior of tho Guildhall Palace in London, an exact replica of the famous English historic building. It is here that the dazzling heraldio procession takes place, with its sward-bear-ers, maco-bearers. Gargoyles, Gog and Ifiigog, and the hundred and one glittering accessories'that make up tho big. scene that brings down the curtain on the pantomime. It is claimed for "Dick Whittington" that in no entertainment of the kind in rooent years hoa the scenic display been of eo lavish a nature. The pantomime will be presented at tho Theatro Royal to-morrow evening, and each following evening' at a quarter to 8. There will be a matinee oa Saturday afternoon next.

OPERA HOUSE. The programme at "the Opera House Inst evening was-appreciated by a large audience., The Harry Farrow Company, in the first half, were welfc xocoivcd in "The Babes in the ' Wood," the comedy work and ballets being greeted with . hearty applause. Mr Murry Livingston was warmly applauded for his very fine -character impersonations, and Misses Aubrey and niche created a favourable impression with their very fine song and dance speciality. Cremer and Arnold (comedy duo), Leywood and Norell (burlesque artists), and Nellie. Kolle (comedienne) were all well ro- ' ceivod in their respective turns. Mr Livingston and Aubrey and Richo will appear for tho last time to-morrow night. The eamc programme will bo given to-night, and a matinee will bo held oa Saturday afternoon.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Tlio romantic film, "Every Girl's Dream," was gToatly appreciated by laTge audienoee at Crystal Palace yesterday. It deals with "a subject in which June Caprice is seen at lier best. A counter effect was produced by ■the Mack_ Scrmott film, "ilis Hidden Purpose," which is as responoiblo for as much hilarity as previous Mack Sennett productions. Tho screening of the latest episode of the mystery serial, "Who is Number One?" was followed with attention, whitot latest events were chronicled by tho ."American Gazette." At the evening session the vocal items; given by Mr James Cocks and tho selections contributed by the orchestra were greatly enjoyed. The programme will be repeated to-day.

QUEER'S THEATRE. The piquant Mutual-Amcrican photo-play, Molly Go Get 'Em," was greatly enjoyed by largo audiences at yesterday's eeesionu o* the Queen's Theatre. In it Margarita i ischer 13 seen at her very best. This week's instalment adds to the interest of that editing serial, "Tho Lace of the Lumber lands. Tho Gulf Between" is a splendid two-reel drama, and support to tho excellent programme is supplied by the joyous comedy, "A Mix-up at Rudolph's," and a series o£ pictures depicting tho South African whaling industry. Tho progmnmo will bo repoatad at to-day'© sessions. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Kipling's wonderful story, "The Naulahka,' is being screened afEveiybcdy'e Theatre this week, and there were large and appreciative audiences to witness it yesterday. The story palpitates with the 'mystery and magnificence of, th* East. Antonio Moreno and. Helen Chadwick take the principal parts, and there aro eoaio exceptionally fino dancers by Doraldma. The supporting programme include a further inotalmeni of the Path® serial, "The Mystery, of the Double Cross." At the evening session a violin solo is supplied 'by Mr Verc Buchanan, and a 'cello solo by Mr G. T. Martir.cngo. The programme will be repeated to-day. LIBERTY THEATRE. Good business was recorded by the Liberty Theatre yesterday, when . "iietsy Robs, ' featuring Alice Brady was repeated, and also a film picturing the muscular action of horsca when leaping. The programme will be repeated at to-day's sessions. - STARLAND THEATRE. "The Jaguar's Claw," featuring the noted Japanese &stor, Ses3ue Hayakr.wa, was repeated at the Starland Theatre recterday and greatly appreciated. Tho uatne programme will be screened at to-day's sessions. STRAND THEATRE. "Bab's Burglar,- featuring Marguerite Clark, is continuing to attract large audiences ct- tho Strand Theatre. The programme will ho screened at to-day's sessions*

MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. The Musical Society'e first concert for the season 1918 will be given on 23rd inat. New and charming music is being prepared, including Cplendge Taylor's • A Tale of Old Japaji, for soli, chorus, and orchestra, and if,® . „ „ umann ' B «°ng cycle, "The Daisy Chain. The artists will be Madam Gower Burns, Mrs F. P. Osmond Smith, Miss Woodhouae, Miss Macleodsmith, and Messrs A. E. Petty, L. Bowron, and. Bex Th© revised scale of subscriptions is announced. New subscribers are asked to send their names to Mrs W. "Wilson, Wirihaba, New Brighton, 'Phone 35775.

GLEE AND MADBIGAL SOCIETY. The programms for Monday evening's concert will inclndo Hoffman's melodious Barcarolle, "Night of Stars" (trio), the. wellknown "Little Grey Homo in the West" and 'I Know a Xiovely , Garden" (D Hardelot), quartets to be sung by members of tie choir; -part-songs by the.ladiea of the choir "The Nightingale's Conoertf' (Concone), soloist, Miss Ethel Johnston, and Fly, Singing Bird" (Elgar), with violin obaligato to be played bj Mnnrm Sandsten

and Kallmann; "It's Oh; to bo a Wild Wind" (Elgar)j and ''Tears of Anguish" (Roichaidt), witli Mr C. Bills as soloist, axe part-songs for male voices. Mr Leslie Fleming will bo heard in Mafisenot'a "Elogie" and "Lovo Mo or Not" (Secchi),: and Mr C. Gainos will contribute a monologue and recitation. Mr Sidney Williameon will act as musical director, and Miss Dorothy Naumann as nocompanist for tha evening. Tho bos plan is at Mceera Milnor and Thompson's. SKATING RINK. There were large' attendances at the Co!os-e-eiim Skating Rink yesterday, the coning session, when the brass band was in. attendance, being very liberally patronised. Tonight an added attraction, is to ue provided ih the shape of a hockey match, tho coxnyeting teams being:—Selwyn (chocolate)—Robb, Harris, Evans, Bell, Smith; Combined team (red and black) —Luxton, Sinclair, Snell, Beaton, Holland. The rink v.-ill be open as usual to-day.