AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16432, 28 January 1919, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OPEEA HOUSE. Tiie Or*ra House was crowded last night, when there wai again a change of programme. The new bill is one of eteihng rcerii and th* nanios of many old favourite with o"?era House fatror.a taercor, Hi "h : n the public .'avour are tlca Brail av.-J Arthur Helmsle}". "ho give further csce-pts from their extcMivo repertoire oi cnaracter studies. The latter is a dancer cf £ucn e»ilitv thai he might almoet be tensed _ the "boneless wonder/' and he is a very cievcr comedian. His specialty. The Lancers, is one oi the smartest things ever «Mn on » local stage. In hi. patter he » ably supTtor'ed bv lus partner. Their tuni is concluded by a ragtime duet. The Gilfuin Trio ■won further laurels o ; popularity lth the:r melange of n.uaicttJ number,. Commencing with a tuneful rendering oi The Barcaiolle," these artistes presented a number of ar.-J Scotch songs and aances. ihey also plaved the Irish and Scotch bagpipes -cry ekii'fnllv. and the girl memoer of the Ho von deserved applause for her graceful darcin" A welcome reappearance for a short season only was made by Murfayne, who demonstrated anew-his mastery over U* svlopiione. Thia artist played numerous aelectior.9 oi al! grades of mus:c, from Uaglior to ragtime melodies. His number* incli.'led "Salut d'Amour. . nr.d a stirring rendering of The I ilgrms Cho-as " He was accorded a positive ovutiap'at" the conclusion of bis turn. A very acc?ciuble offering of music, song, and humour was made by Sid Jones and Agnes Raines. The latter'; singing of "God Sena >ou Bs,:k to Mo" was waitaly applauded, wmle her «wc°t voice was heard to great i:\lvantage in her "di:ot3 with the "Welsh Itereoit, as Sid. Jones ia called. His humorous sallies were very much :*pnreciated by (ho audience. The second part of the programme waa entiielr taken up by a production by Tom Ha-er'ey »nd his "huto Kewpiea, entitled "Two Irish Sporis." As is twual with the productions of this bright little company, •'Two Irish Sports" is built on the slenderest foundation of a plot but it is brimful of fun and frolic, and the doings of the two "fipor'-a." their friend Flossie Highklck, "Deacon'' Jones, and the "Kewpies' made a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment, The part of the veracious deacon was played by Billv Maloney, who sang "T3ie Ragtime Parson" in fine style, ably supported by the Kewpie Chorus, who were dressed for the occasion in the cutest of "ragtime" frocks. Ruby Kennedy played the part of the Maid iCitty, her musical number, L mbreila kiln, having one of the prstticst\ scttinss imaginable. Tlie singer herself wore a frock of mauve satin, with crystal embroideries, while tho supporting "chorus wore rainbow tinted frocks, and carried, umbrellas to match. The whole effect was charming, in tho extreme. Claire Lloyd was better cast than was the case last week, and her vivacious singing of "How's Every Little Tiling in Dixie?" was an enjoyable item. Charles Lawrence was un-£-uj-ported by any chorus as he sang "W hen Paderewski Plavs,' but ho was warmly recalled. He is steadily achieving popularity with Opera House patrons.. Doby Dormev, with the Kewpie Chorus, made a ''distinct hit with "I'll Do It All Over Again," followed by a dance of a distinctly encrgetio order. As the two Irish-sports, Tom Haverley and J. P. O'Neill were in their element, Their humour wns bright and unforced, and they kept.-' the audience amused, all the tirne they were on the etage. Coral Warner helps with' the fun, although she is inclined to speak her lince rather as if they were "learned and counted by rote." As usual, tho "Kewpies" were a tower of strength to the performance. They are the brighteat little chorus on the Fuller circuit, and throw a zest into" their work that is as welcome as it is -unu&ual. They are all pretty girls, and in : addition, to being good dancers arc acrobats of no mean order, as displayed by their "clog and acrobatic dance," in which they turn somersaults and perform other, "stunts" with remarkable agility. Altogether "Two Irish Sports" is well- worth eeeing by all who enjoy brightness, frivolity, and mirth. The eame programme .will be. presented throughout tho week. CRYSTAL PALACE. Another of those admirably selected and well-varied programmes, which- have made Crystal Palaoe a household word, was screened to good audiences yesterday afternoon and evening. The headliner, "The Heart of a Lion," is - a fine example of William Fox's productions, the leading part being taken b}-' William Famum. The story is based on Ralph Connor's well-known novel, and abounds with -tonse dramatic incidents and romantic complications. An all-star cast interprets the drama, "A Reckless Romeo* th® latest Fatty Arbuckle comedy, fully maintains tie big reputation that this unfailing mirth-provoker has won. A Mutt and Jeff Cartoon rounds off the programme, which will be "screened this afternoon and evening. • LIBERTY THfiATRE. A programme of a high order of merit is being soreened at the Liberty Theatre this week. It is headed by a Charlie Chaplin film entitled "The Adventurer," wJiich is quite one of Charlie's most successful pictures. 1 seven-reel Pathe feature, "To-day," stars Florence Reed, - an actress of high dramatic ability. "Yet a third film feature has for its heroine winsome Marjory Wilson. There is also a further instalment of "The Fatal Ring," with , Pearl White, and a Pathe Gazette. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There is a plethora of • good things, on th© programme at Everybody's this week. There is a Goldwyn feature called "The Face in tii® Dark," whioh stars Mae Marsh, tho wonderful little tragedienne, whose acting in "Intolerance" was but the beginning of her artistic ' career, Miss Marsh has tho principal * • part, while there is a strong supporting caste. Next on the bill is. the delightful "Peggy," one of Billi®- BurkVs best pictures to date. -This is being re-screened at the request of th© many people who were unable to see it previously. Supporting items include "Hunting the -*ip* popotamua" (scenic), "Be Sure You're Right" (comic), and the latest Pathe Gazette. GRAND THEATRE. Alia Nazimova. the famous Russian actress, who will be remembered by Christohurcli picture-goers for her masterly acting in * iteration" heads the bill' at the Grand Theatre thi3 week in an equally powerful drama entitled "Toys of Fate." She is supported by a strong caste of characters,, and her acting :s as full of vital fir© as it was in her previous screen classic There is a strong supporting programme, including the last oliapter of "The Great Secret," a topical gazette, a good comic, and the first instalment of a new serial, entitled "Tho Scarlet Runner," featuring the famous "good-looks" actor, Earle Williams. STRAND THEATRE. William S. Hart, in "The Tiger Man," attracted good audiences to the Strand yesterday. With its supporting films, The Tiger Man" will be shown this afternoon and evening. QUEEN'S THEATRE., The new programme at th© Queen' 3 Theatre yesterday, headed >y .'The Spirit of Romance," featuring Vivian Martin, attracted pood alterndanoe' at both sessions. _ • There were excellent supporting subjects, including comedies and gazettes. The same films will be screened this afternoon and evening.