AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16263, 13 July 1918, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

"DICK WHITTINGTON." | Heralded as a pantomime of outstanding merit, "Dick Whittington," produced for the first time in Christchurch by tho J. C. Williamson Co., at the Theatre Royal last evening, more than justified its reputßtion. Taking advantage of poetic license freely the producers simply make such use of tho old fairy story as to build upon it a gorgeous fantasy. Ono moment tho scene is in the buccaneering days of tlip 17th century, then tho flight of fancy takes one to tho East, and then tho bird of time flies back som® hundreds of years. Producer, scenic artist, ballet mistress, and others have striven to produce a riotous cffect which can only be described aa golden; its appeal to the eenscs is irresistible, and clever as the comedians are one sometimes has a feeling of regret at their banality stirring so fair a picture. The performanco is a long one, but during its three and a half hours' course there is never a moment that is dull; interest ia sustained from beginning to end through all the many and cnanging scenes. Two features of the performanco are the beautifful dresses and the delightful dances. The dresses are carried finely by their dainty possessors, the 6010 dancing i 3 in the hands of such finished exponents of the terpiscliorean art as Mr Sidney Yates, Mis 3 Maude Amery, and Miss Maggie Dickinson. Outside of classical dancing it is doubtful whether a better exposition has been given in Christchurch than the Early Victorian cos-

tume rorpie interpreted by Mr Sidney Yates and Misßea Maggie Dickinson, Maude Amery. Kitty Howard. Lucie Sullivan, Ada Barber, Flo Patterson, and Ivy Parker. It was the acme of artistic interpretation, in itself an evening's entertainment. _ Almost a3 good was the war ballot in which fought with Peace and Civilisation, Mr Sydney Yates and Misses Dickinson and Amery being the danseur and danseusea. tableaux and ballets produced at the <*nd of the first act were alao beautiful conceptions emblematical of "Pleasure" and 'The Evils of Gambling," whilst they were succeeded by an Eastern dance with gorgeous colour That favourite of Chrifltelmrch audiences, Mr Arthur Stigant, was the principal comedian, and wail easily head and shoulders above his confreres. His humour is of a natural freshness, which 6oon meets with a hearty j recognition from his audience. As Mary tlio 1 Coolt, Mr Stigant might bo deecribed as a scream." He had -quite a formidable array of clever comedians to aseist him, nil of whom kept the fun going briskly. There was Mr Claude Bantock ns Captain Barnacle of the "Pitch and Toss," or the "Two-up " aa Mary the Cook would persist in calling tho gallant craft; thero was Mr Harry Roxbury aa Idlo Jack," the friend of Mary the Cook; there was Mr Ernest Lanjrford as Johnny tho lmbecilo eon of Mary tho Cook; there was Mr William Fullbrook as Alderman Fitzwarren, the employer of Mary tho Cook, and incidentally the father of Alice Fitzwarren, the beloved of Dick Whittington. There was also that wonderful animal impersonator and comedian, Mr Billy Le Brun, who made quite a hit in tho part of Tommy tho Cat. Mr Howard Vernon mad© a fierce-looking Eastern potentate in tho part of the Emperor of Morocco, whilst Mr Villiers Arnold's fine baritone voice was heard to advantage chuckling over hi 9 villainy in the part of Rodento King of the Rate. The important part of Dick Whittington was in the capable hands of Miss Vera Pearce, a warm favourite of local audiencce. Miss Pearco made a handsumo strapping boy, and came through a heavy evening s performanco with flyijiß colours. She was especially successful in the chorus eongfl, "Hong Kong" and "Hawaiian Butterfly.' Miss Pauline Bindley was charming in the part of Alice Fitzwarren She has a swoet, sympathetic voice, which appealed to special advantage in "Songs My Mother Sang to Me." Miss Constance Caylev, as Rupert, made R dashing second boy, her feature of the entertainment being the €ong, "One of the Boys," in which «ho was assisted by a number of children. Little Thelma Burners waa warmly applauded for her song, "I Don t Want to Get Well," and excellent interpretations wore given bv Mi6s Pear] Ladd aB Princess Rofcy Dawn, Miss Ethel Walker as Dulcibelle (Spirit of tho Chimes) and Mias Marjery Wiggs as lona. The chorus was a strong one, composed of young ladiea with excellent voices and moro than _ a passing knowledge of tho dance fantastic. Credit must bo given to Mr W. R. Coleman and assistants for the scenery painted by them, and to the musical director, Mr A. Amodio, for tho excellent work of the orohgptra. There was a packed houa? at the Theatre .Royal Inst evening to witness "TMclc Whittington," which will be repeated to-night. There will be a matinee this afternoon, commencing at 1,45.

OPERA HOUSE. There was a large oudionce at the Opera ilouso last evening, when a partial change of programmt waa pressated. The Harry Farrow Pantomime Company etagcd a potted vereioA of "The Sleeping Beauty," the first time the piece has been presented in Australasia. The company's effort was a pretty good one. "The Sleeping was well impersonated by Miss Tibi>le3 Keys-Price, who made a charming Princces Mayflower. Tho comeiy element waa well looked after bv Mr Farrow, with the able assistance of Mos€ib Warwick Lumley and Yorke Gray. As in the company's previous productions, • "The Sleeping Beauty" introduces a number of bright musical numbers and pretty ballets. Tho most popular songs were: "Kock-a-bye Baby" and "A Tax on Love" (Mr Yorke, who had tlio assistance of the ballet in tho first number, each member holding a pretty .baby doll), "Come and be My Sweetheart" (Miss j Tibbies Keys-Price, who was recalled), "For- j get It" (Mr Harry Farrow), "Goodness Gra-1 cious" (Winifred an\l Lumley), and "Tho Blighty Girl" (Miss Winifred Lumley). Besides assisting the principals, the chorus girls were warmly applauded for their witchcsr' dance, spider dance, and fairy ballet. A couple of excellent new vaudeville ti»rns were given in tho second half. Napier and Yvonne appeared in a novel act,-entitle.! "The Spider and the Butterfly." The male member was attired as ,a spider, and his partner looked charming as a prettily-coloured butterfly. A net made of ropa served as it suitable lodging placo for the spider, and he eventually drew the butterfly into ni3 net. Some clever contortionist feata and dancing were introduced into the turn. Victor Elvin, billed as Australia's premier skate dancer, performed some remarkably fine "stunts" on tho wheeled shoes, not tho least difficult being a kind of clog dance. Leywood and Norell, C'remer and Arnold, and Mis 3 Nellio Kolle ail appeared with success. The same programme will be given this afternoon and evening, when the Harry Farrow Company will appear for the last time, being replaced on Monday with a complote vaudeville programme.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Excellent attendances were recorded at the Crystal Palace yesterday, especially at the evening session do luxe, when tho romantic film, "Every Girl's Dream," and its supporting subjects, were again screened. Juno Coptic© is seen at her best in the star film, which, with -the Mack Sennett comedy, "His Hidden Purpoee," the 12th instalment of • vVho is Number Ono?" and the American Gazette, will bo finally screened to-day and this evening. For next week's new programme tho topliner is tho William Fox film of "thrills and pleases," entitled "Whero Love Leads, which is an interesting combination of good acting through a long epoch in the cast hfo of the star, Ormi Hawley. It is a etory of love and adventure in college, and later in newspaper life, told under the direction of j the noted picture maker, Frank C. Griffin, I with unusual realism. Richard Warren it the opening of the story saves tho life of Marian Barstow. They fall in love. Warreu, a popular oollejje man, is looked upon as the greatest hope of winning the Thanksgiving football game, as ho i 9 a crack quar-ter-back. Warren wins tho game and Kennedy Barstow, Marian's father, pjves a dance in honour of tho players, at which Marian me»ts Sir Rankin Chrtfivorth. *u impoverished English knight. Marion's father is wealthy. Sir Rankin sets out to marry Marion. At tho same dance Warren proposes to her; she admits her love, but tells him first to ret the permission of her parents. The' father refuses Warren's request. Warren goes to work as a newspaper reporter. The editor tells him his storie® must have more "punch" and "human interest." Warren is too "Inv~ sick" to write. In the' meantime Sir Rankin has succeeded in securing Marion's hand, through the influor.co of the parents, and they are married and sail for England. Seventeen years later finds Marian neglected by her British husband. Sho has two daughters. Kathleen and Roee. Fearing ihe influence of b*r bom© will affoct her d&ughtens Marion sends them to visit their grandparents in America. She entrusts their caro on the trip to Cainille Dore, posing a a a decent woman, but in reality an yihabitant o: the "under world." where she i\ known as the "Gold Queen." Camille, by tho assistance of confederates, prevents the grandparents from meeting the two girls, and brings them to her house. Warren has remained all these years in newspaper work—still looking for "human interest stories. By chancc Warren's work brings him to Camille'* house, where ho meets the girl prisoners. He learns their identity and succeeds in sending Kathleen to warn the police while he and Kcae remain in the house. barren's action was discovered, and after a hard fight in the house ho is overpowered and bound. He finally escapes on to the roof and down tho fire escape. Camille ifl just preparing to escape with Rose, when tho police arrive and the two girls aw mw*- , The ° awakes! He has fallen asleep at his typewriter and beside him stands Marion, who exclaims that she will marry'him anyway. fiWßS?** 2 " subjects will be:— A Coua-

try Hero" (featuring Roscoe "3?atty" Axbuckle in his iaw«H and funniest comedy), tho lbth episode of "vViio is Number One?" which ia full of sensations, thrills, and hair-raising complications, and the latest Weekly Gazette* 'Ihe vocalist will be Mr Farquhiu Young, who is well and favourably known' to Christchurch audiences. Mr Young will eing ft tlio night sessions do luxe, "Tho Ringers" and "The Company Sorgeant-'Major." Tho Crystal Palace orchestra, under Mr W. H. Corrigan's baton, will givo the overture, Raymond" (Thomas).

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Molly Go Get 'Em," featuring beautiful and charming Margarita Fisoher, and the splendid supporting subjects will bo screened for tho last time at the Queen's Theatre to-day and this evening. William Russoll and Francelia Billington will bo featured in the top-iiner of next week's programme, tho Mutual American feature fUm, "High Play." This is described as ti story of modern high finance, through which is woven an absorbing theme of love and honour. William Russell's role 13 quite different from any in which ho has' hiiherto been seen. Tho action of the story takes place in a- eastern city in Iho United States, and Wi.liam Russell ,takes the part of the vice-president of a big trust com pany. Following a call of tho aiato bank examiner, the doora of tho trust company are closed. A panic ensues. Russell, however, odd's to pay back every depusit-er, and is made president of the re-organised instij tution. Russell is engaged to a beautiiul | girl, but later learns to caro for a girl of i a vory ditierent type. Dropping his first lovo leads to an osciting scene, and the banker is threatened with disgrace by a revengeful clubman. Braving disgraco, Russell avows his lovo for tho girl of his heart s desire, and tho story er.d3 with tho clubmau's death, and Russell's discovery that he has made the highest play and A further instalment of the exciting serial A Lass of tho Lumberlands" will bo shown, and tho other supporting features will bo: "In the French Alps" (scenic), a two-reel drama, "Vivians." (featuring Vivian Georgo Pcriolat) and the comedy, "Mischiei and a Mirror." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. To-day and this evening will be the final opportunities of witnessing the screen J 1 ® 1 " siou of Kipling's romamic story "Ihe JNaulahka," at Everybody's Theatre. Heading next weed's programme will be the World production "The Marriage Market," in which will be featured June *Carlylo Blac.k*ell, and Arthur Ashley. Ihe story is a comuellingly interesting one, telling of a girl "who sold horself in mamtge for a thousand dollars to savo her from disgrace, a sacrifice that proved futile a3 her father had committed suicide. Days of disappointment, disillusion, and despair follow, the climax being one of tho moat tenso and thriliing murder trials over pictured on tho screen. It is a five parj drama containing much action and wealth of plot material and the scenes of tho auction sa.e of thoroughbred hor6es and of the stock market aro particularly striking. The Siipportiwr subjects will include a further instalment of the serial, "The Mystery o L the Double Cross."

STKAXD THEATRE. "Bab's Burglar" was finally screened at the Strand Theatre yesterday to large audi- ' cncee. The new programme to be screened to-day will bo headed bv "The L ndying Flame," in which Olga Petrova is featured. The earlv part of the story tells of .» princess who loves against her father 8 w.ll, and to save her lover, sends him away with one-half of her favourite scarab, telling him that when the two halves meet, no matter how long the time may be, the spirits of tho owners would unite. The years bring film around to modern Eg?p», mafel ~s trova the reincarnated princess. Circumstanccs afford a meeting with the young man who has the other half scarab in nis possession, and tho romance proceeds according to tho legend of the ancients. The whole film, both in colour and detail, is typically Egyptian. There will be interesting supporting subjects. In honour of tue Frencn National Fete Day, Hiss SLlhcent Jennin o s ( will sing "La Marscllaise." STAELAXD. I "The Jaguar's Claw" with the toted player. Seasue liayakawa, in the lead, r.nd the supporting subjects were seen by large av.diencco at Stariand yesterday. Sext \>e-k a piosramme will be headed bv "The Clever Cartas, _ in which Julian Eltiuge, the most, lamous oi female impersonators, is ftatiarcd. Tlw story i 3 a most interesting one Ihe star, as the leault of a bet, appears in public in feminine iruise and edits a newspaper coiumn containing advice to the loveiorn. Supporting subjects will bo a revival of the great eomedv "Fatty Out West" (leatunng Roscoc Arbuckle) and the Ainericau and i.ustra.ia» Gajettta

LIBERTY THEA'HRE.

"Betsy Roas," leaturing Aiico Brady, vill bo shown iinaily today and this evening at tho Liberty Theatre. .Next week's programme will be headed by -Empty PockeU," tnnwn rOen V t er3lo .PK° f BU P ert Wellknown novel. Ihe picture is a First tional Keleaso, and the cast is an all-atar one, including Kitty Galunta, Barbara Cas- / tBl ' Williams, Ihe last-named plays Perry Morithow tho inillionairo with a penchant for girls with copper-coloured hair. Tho plot maintains a rem rkable clarity, despite amazing complications. Ihe supporting eubjects will be tho "f° nt » ?, ra l )llic "nd Mole Cricket, a lathe interest film.

MALE VOICE CHOIR. ' The full programme to bo presented bv tho Chrisicliurch Male Voice Choir on Thursday aiyl baturdny next in the Choral Hall, appears in our amusement columns to-day. Tho worlds best, composers will bo drawn noon in part Ejongs and old time glees and madriS? ls ;, Tl '° h ° lr », which, with tho assistance at the Cathedral choir boys, now numbers 05, is in excellent form, and an entertainment of exceptional meiit is promised by tho promoters.' Members of tho choir will contribute bo.o work, tho "Lyric Four," who have earned for themselves a very favourable reputation, will appear in a quartet, while the assisting artiste w'ill bo Miss Louise Crouchor, the well-known violinistc of this city. Over 1600 tickets aro in tho hands of subscribers, which in itse.f bespeaks big houses, while a limited number of tickots ! are on salo at Milner and Thompson's. j GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY. [ Tho programme for the Glee and Madrigal Society's concert at tho Choral Hall on Monday evening is advertised this morning, ihu final rehearsal givo promise of a very succossful performance. 'sr.e box plan is at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. MRS BURXES-LOUGHNAN'S CONCERT. The following is tho programmo of tho concert (organised by Mrs Burnes-Loughnnn) to bo given in Everybody's* Theatre to-morrow evening in aid of the L.rJy Liverpool Christmax Puicei3 Fund .-—Overture, Everybody's Orchestra; «ong, "The Lord is My Light," Mr F. Charles: rccitntion, "The Singing oi the Magnificat," Miss Kioio Kiui': son?. "O Divina Redeemer," Miss DulcieMetz (first appearance); song, "If With All Your Hciuts," Mr W. Trcweru; piano golo, Scherzo d'Albcrt, Miss Jean 1 Burr owes: song, "Honour and Arms," Mr F. Charles; song, "Beloved it is Morn," Mis 3 Dulcic Metz: recitation, "God and the_ Kaieer," Miss Kiore King; song, "Inter X 03," Mr W. Trewern. SKATING lUNK. Thero were large attendances at all sessions of tho Colonseum Skating Kink yestei'Jay. The learners' session was exceptionally >veU patronised, and the band made the evening proceedings more enjoyable. The rinl: •..ill b e open ag'in to-day, with the band in attendance afierncon and evening.