AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16426, 21 January 1919, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. A programme of sterling merit is being presented at . the Opera Houso this week. Last night the theatre was crowded, there not being a vacant seat in the house. A heartily welcomed re-appearanco was made by the Gilfin Trio, who presented a melange of melody and dancing. Their musical numbers included Italian, Irish, and Scotch songs, provided by two members of the trio, while the dancing of the third and youngest member was very dainty and attractive. Her dance, "Lessons in Dancing," was a novelty that was pleasing in'the extreme. The trio s turn concluded with some skilful playing on the Irish and Scotch bagpipes Nellie Kolle was accorded literally an ovation on her re-appear-ance for a short season. Assuredly this popular artist is one of the brightest _ stare in the Fuller firmament. Her offering was three new songs, all of them having rousing choruses, in which the audience eagerly joined;, and in response to insistent recalls she sang one" of the bestrknown of her old favourites, "When Tommy's oif Furlough. Elsa Brull and Arthur Hemsley also reappeared, and presented one or two new attractions. The latter's interpretation of the well-known extravagance "Silly Ass" was a good one, and his. eccentric dancing found great favour. The "little scenes" put ou by this clever pair left the audience clamouring for more. Sidney' Jones, "the Welsh Rarebit," and his partner, Agnes Raines, won instant and marked approval with their offering of bright duets and patter, a topical song, "Who Smashed Bill Kaiser?" sung by the former, making a decided hit. The second part of the programme was entirely taken up by Tom Haverley and his "Kut© Kewpie Kids," who A presented a "racy" trifle, slender of plot, but brimfill of humour, entitled "The Kaiapoi Cup.' Iho play was divided into three scenes, and a J number of favourites with Oppra House audi- j ences -figured in the cast,. including Tom Haverley, J. P. O'Neill, Billy Maloney, Claire Lloyd, Ruby. Kennedy, Edie Vaux, and Coral Warner. Tom Haverley proved that, he has lost none of his former popularity with Christchurch audiences, and his sallies were uproariously received. J. P. - O'Neill and Billy.Maloney aided and abetted in the geno- ! ral fun. The latter sang "Goodbye-e-e' in fine style, and also gave a-monologue, The Race." Charles Lawrence, a newcomer on the vaudeville stage, scored a decided success. He sang "Down Texas Way," demonstrating himself to be • the possessor of a tuneful voice, with considerable "kick" behind it. Ruby Kennedy's clear soprano was heard to advantage in "The Garden of My Heart," while Claire Lloyd made a picturesque figure as she sang "In Iowa" in dashing style. There were several very amusing interludes, of which the poker-playing incident was the most diverting.' The spectacle of a red horso' brought on to the stage at the conclusion of the "Cup" was also & humorous and popular feature. The Kewpie Kids were a tower of strength to the performance. They supplied the opening and final choruses to each ■ scene, and also tho choruses to all tho "catchy" songs. Their dancing and tho arrangement of the ballets reflbcted great credit on the ballet mistress, Miss Dolly' Dormer. It seems a pity that the names of this bright little chorus are not set forth on tho programme. One might then be" able to know the name of the little lady who wears the frock with ,the chequerboard bodice. She is the daintiest and prettiest ballferina that has been seen on a local stage for a long time. The same programme will be repeated throughout the week. CRYSTAL PALACE. The new programme submitted to large audiences yesterday afternoon and evening at Crystal Palace was an excellent one all round, the films shown appealing to all tastes. The headliner was the William Fox production, "The Kingdom of Love,'' a stirring and powerful tale of the Klondike, featuring beautiful Jewol Carmen. "A Neighbour's . Keyhole," one of the ever-popular "Sunsliine" comedies, the Marguerite Clayton comedy-drama, "The Wide Wrong Way,' and the Mutt and Jeff feature, "The Seventyfive Mile Gun," were also Bbown, and wore greatly - enjoyted. This afternoon and evening the same films will be screened. GRAND THEATRE. Heading the new bill screened for the firot time yesterday afternoon ■ and evening, at the Grand, is the English produced photodrama, "The Man Who Stayed at Home." The film follows tho play of the same'title very closely, and is enhanced by the addition of several striking and realistic pictures of tho British Navy at work. Britain's" bulwarks, including the Now Zealand and tho North Sea Fleet, together with the submarine and destroyer fleet are realistically shown, in conjunction with the receiving by the ■ German spy of the message relating to the . departure of the fleet escorting transports, | and the.-.departure of the troop trains and troopships. The main points of the drama are brought out in full, the women munition workers, artillery, and cavalry reinforcements, the discovery of the wireless plant, the | shooting of tho carrier pigeon, the denounce- . ment of the German spy, end the sensational climax of the sinking by British destroyers of an enemy submarine are graphically shown. Mr Dennis Eadio and tho original London cast are featured. Other pictures screened were the Metro drama, "Revenge" (featuring Edith Storey), "Never Sup-prise Your Wife" (Christie comedy), and the seventeenth episode of "Tho Great Secret." This afternoon and evening the same films will bo screened. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A very fine film, which gives Norma Talmadge every opportunity to show her histrionic powers, is "Ghosts of Yesterday," which was screened for the first time at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. In this picture Miss Talmad"o has to play two' parts, they are widely different in character, one being that of a gentle young wife, and tho other that of a dashing cabaret dancer, but the actress is fully equal to the occasion, and her performance is a decidedly. clever and artistic one. The story is an intensely dramatic one, and is full of interest from beginning to end. It portrays the triumph of love over temptation, and incidentally introduces some wonderful scenes of Paris cabaret life. There are some excellent supporting films. The eatne pictures will be screened to-day. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Dorothy Dalton, who will be remembered as having played lead in "The Flame of the Yukon," has the leading part in "The Prico Mark," a splendid drama which heads the bill at the Queen's Theatre this week. The story is one of exotic love, thrilling adventure, and hair-raising suspense. The scene etretches from Cairo to New York's Latin quarter, and rarely has this popular screen star had a more congenial part. The supports include a big Mack-Sennett comedy, entitled "Her Blighted Love," which is full of hilarious happenings; Chapter 7 of "The Railroad Raiders," a Burton Holmes travel- 11 ogue, and an interesting number of tho American Gazette.

LIBERTY THEATRE. " A o d, Ub W orj?Twte^e^t°erda^ si«w»t ■- aiil?rt\ol U J hC o y f C Z tin y^ to ti°y e may rtiXXy M. The bride is saved, returns to America, marriea Dr. Brent, who ban become a fam-s^vsss->Jsstp-B His wifo realises that her first husband s T stMed memory will result in- a stigmatised reputation for her and for her child s nam Fortunately he dies under, the knile. xnere is nn excellent-supporting programme, including "The Heart of a Girl. The pro gramme will be repeated to-day. STRAND THEATRE. At the Strand yesterday afternoon and even in" large audiences witnessed Marguerite S? in "Rich Man, Poor Man." Supports were "Fly Ball," a "Jester" comedy, the latest American Gazette, and a Burton Holmes Travelogue. The same will bo screened this afternoon and evening. TRAMWAY COMEDY CO. The Chrißtohurch Tramway Comedy Comnanv will give their final presentation of the "S.S. Saveloy," at the Choral Hall tomorrow night. The are for the Naval Heroes' Dependants alone should ensure a "bumpar house. IMS company have raised over £2000 for various war funds, and given nearly I°° concerta in different parts of Canterbury. They stated however, that this is their final effort, and I a big house ia looked for.