AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16268, 19 July 1918, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATBE ROYAL. The final performance in Christchurch _of the J. C. Williamson pantomime "Dick Whittington" took placo at the Theatre Royal | last night, tho house being crowded to the doors. All tho favourites received hearty , ovations at the conclusion of the perform- ' ance. _ Before the beginning of tho Beoond net Misa Vera Pearoe aong th® song, "Tho Tramway Coppor Trail/ for the Tramway Copper Trail in aid of tho Lady Liverpool Fund. The wording of the aong is by -Miss Coral io Stanley, wifo of Lieutenant A. C. MeKellar, who is at th«» front, and the music by Mr R. A. Homo, of Chriatchurch» The song has a cntchy refrain, and Miss Pearcb had to repeat the chorus several times. During her eindng of tho song she was literally showered with coins, and at tho same time j money was collected among tho audience in • a Union Jack. A large number of copie3 of tho eong- were sold during the evening.

MALE VOICE CHOIR. To tho credit of tho Male Voice Choir, ' under Dr. Bradshaw'a directions, stands an-" ' other brilliantly successtul concert, given at i the Choral Hall, which was sold out last night, as it is ohoudy sold out for the repeat performance on Saturday. A programme of great variety and manifold attractions was submitted, and skilfully and effectively carried out. The choir was again splendidly trained, with artistic thoroughness. In Hatton's "Warrior's Song," however, tho tenors, striving to keep pace with, the booses, strained thoir voices too much. E!gar*s three part songs, the "Middle Watch," from Stanford's "Songs of til® Fleet," again with Mr Char lee Clarkson as wholly admirable soloist, Hatton'a "The Letter," left little room for further improvement. Very charmingly was eung; with the assistance of the Cathedral choristers, Spofforth's "Hail, Smiling Morn." As far na tho Cathedral 'boys were employed in' the programme, this glee presented them at their best, and their voices in tho most agreeable ton© production. Least of all they appealed .with Schubert's setting of tho 23rd i Pealm. Haydn's humorous aerenado, "Mor--den, -Fair," . was -«martly< riven, although tho basses predominated, affecting the balanoe. A very pretty reading of Reichardt's "Image of the Rose" brought out Mr H. Blakeley as welcome soloist, this time with very pleasing control and finish. Miss Louise Croucber played a series of violin Soli with beautiful tone, refinement, and ample virtuosity; in- 'Wieniawfki's "Lecfende" and the "Hungarian Dance," by Brahms-Joachim, giving a. free rein to a fine inspiration. Mr Rex Harrison Ban? with very good expression tho fascinating ballad. "Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorree," excepting that ho made the male "brute" tno tame. As an encore he add« 3 Alfred Hill's stirring song, "Wakta Poi," in capital ■ style. Two excellent eones were contributed by Mr H. Mc-L'-od's T)lea"j»i-7 vou**, in Dvorak's "Sonsrs Mv Mother TpupM Me." The Chri«tchurch "Lyric Four," wi'h a somewhat different nerconnsl, san? with much taste and nine bfnrdin" of the voice, "A Stream of Silver "MVviTiqJiinn," nntl <wi an eneore "Fishins oti S'inday," with much approbation. V-ero Livingstone at the piano played the aorompaniments with her usual artistic efficiency.

OPERA HOUSE. The vaudeville programme was successfully repeated at the Opera House last evening, there being a large audience present. The Lampines were warmly applauded for their clever foats of ledgerdomain, their Rasputin "stunt" being particularly well received, chiefly on account of its humour. Miss Nollio Kolle had to respond to a double encore, tho audience joining heartily in her choruses. Mr Phil Percival (comedian and pianist), and Fred. Webber, the musical college boy, were also popularly received. The same programme will be given to-nizht, when Cromer and Arnold and Napier and Yvonne wi'l appear for the last time. A matioee will bo hold to-morrow afternoon. CRYSTAL PALACE. This week's programme at the Crystal Palace haß proved a most attractive one, and yesterday large attendances witnessed it. "Where Love Leads," the comedy-drama starring Ormi Hawley, has strong, gripping power, and the story is exccllentlv told pnd admirably screened. That never-failing mirth creator, "Fatty" Arbuckle, is featured in "A Country Hero," ono of his best impersonations. Full of sensational development is the thirteenth chapter of the serial, "Who Is Number One?" The "Weekly Gazette," picturing latest events of interest, was also screened. The vocal items given by Mr Farquhar Young were highly appreciated, and the selections by the Crystal Palace Orchestra, under Mr W. H. Corrigan, added greatly lo tho pleasure' of the audience. Touay and this evening tho same programme will be repeated. STARLAND THEATRE. "The Clever Mrs Carfax," starring that highly succcssful impersonator of female characters, Julian El tinge, was screened to gocrj attendances' at Staiiand yesterday, and with its supporting subjects will be shown to-day and tliis evening.

! QUEEN'S THEATRE. Virile and vigorous William Russell, and charming Francellia Billing-ton aro featured in the drama of New York financial and social life. "High Play, rt which was witby large audience® at the Queen's Theatre yesterday. The supporting subjects are all good, and incluvio the drama "Viviana," i the comedy "Mischief and Mirror," scenes in the French A Ins, and an enthrallingly interesting instalment of the serial "A Lass of the Lumberlands." To-day and this evening the eama programme will bo 6crpened. Commencing on Monday, "Charity Castle," a five-act comedy drama, with Mary Miles Minter in the leading part, will be screened. This film comes with very high credentials. STRAND THEATRE. Good attendances at the Strand Theatre yesterday witnessed "The Undying Flame," featuring Olga Petrova. To-day and this evening will be the final opportunities of seeing this remarkable film. 1 EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The screening of "The Marriage Market" attracted large audiences to Everybody's Theatre veeterday. June Elvidge, Carlylo Blackwell, and Arthur Ashley are featured in this absorbingly interesting drama. To-day and this evening the same programme will be repeated.

LIBERTY THEATRE. The film version of the well-kaowa novel, "Empty Pockets," by Itupert Hughee, screened at the Liberty Theatre yesterday, and with its supporting subjects will be. ehown again to-day and this evening. CHBISTCHURCH ITT7SICAL SOCIETY. The box plan for the first concert of the season, to be given on Tuesday nest, is rapidly filling up. and oubecribem who faro

not yet dono so are urged to reserve their eeate today, before the plan is opened t-o the public. The concert will consist of Coleridge Taylor's "A Tale of Old Japan," and Liza Lohmann'a eong cycle, "Tho Daisy Chain." Tho revised rafos for subscriber® are announced elsewhere, as also the officials to whom application should bo made for enrolling. SKATING RINK. Tlicro were large attendances at tho Skating Rink yesterday, the number of people present at night being very large indeed. The attraction was a hockey match between two teams selected from the senior clubs. Tho link will be open at tho usual hours to-day.