AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16724, 6 January 1920, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. •THE BIRD OP PARADISE." Tho pathetic Hawaiian love romance, "Tho Bird of Paradise," was repeated before a good audicnce at tho Theatre Royal last night. The spectacular effects particularly appealed to the audience, while Miss Muriel Starr and her company received every appreciation for their strenuous work in a piece which afforded too littlo scope to them, their finished acting camouflaging many defects in the construction of the play. "The Bird of Paradise" will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. "THE SILENT WITNESS." A change is announced for Thursday night, when "Tie Silent Witness" will bo staged. Tho story of tho piece revolves round tho mystery of the death of a young student, vnUrl in * struggle with % fellow inmate of the university. His mother returns from a European trip to find that her boy is indicted for murder, and then to her horror _ finds that the attorney for the prosecution is his father, her husband, from whom she has been long separated. The subsequent clearing of her son s name is effected in a way that no member of the audience will foresee. There is a double love story throughout the drama, and many quaint touches of humour. The "Argus," in its notice of the first production of "The Silent Witness" in Melbourne said: "As tho unhappy mother of an unfortunate son, Misa Muriel Starr haa a chanco for that highly emotional acting which always wins the sympathies of her audienco. Aa the State attorney, Mr Frank Harvey, in the crisis of the play, is especially prominent, and personally concerned both ways, because the father of tho youth who was killed makes conviction a condition of his suonort I of the State attorney for the position of State 1 Governor. But . Nature triumphs over i every ether consideration, and the style in j ' which Mr Harvey man-handles tho law and i ' stands for the eternal princip'.es of justice, \ | is, from the best melodramatic standpoint, j quite fino. There are no dull moments in these scenes; few of them, indeed, at any stage of the plsy." J. C. WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA SEASON. On Friday, lGtli inst., the J. C. liamson Gra'nd Opera season will be entered upon at the Theatre Royal with a ga.a performance of "Faust." The Eeason is limited to eleven nights, during which period eight operai will bs civen in Ensiish by a group of distinguished Continental, American, and j Australian artists. The company organised j in Australia by the Williamson firm numbers 125 people, forty of whom are members cf '"the orchestra, while fifty comprise the thorns. ' Tho repertoire as published revea.s the fact ! that Cbristchurch is to hear operas as : "popular" as they ?re representative of the ' best to be found in the clarsical and essentially modern composers. For th? musiclover, pure nr.d simplo, there will be produced warks representing most of what js historically worth while in opera. And this i music will be given not merely lr.stru- : mentally, but with the full vocal Mreng.n of tho company of principal' who nave sung leading roles in the world's operatic centres. There will be found in the var.ou* productions a detailed attention to dramatic necessities and lealities, which is characteristic of "atter-day opera in Ltr.don and ]»orK ; Thi chorus (singing : - r - Er.g'ish) v.-al bo fonin a living part of the dramatic scheme whicn rinds its chief expression in prmcipa s \ybo "suit the action to the voice. Openim; with ./'Faust. «" mar. ' "La Boheme, II lr° T »' or :\, S, 1 } leria Rusticaua, and "I Pagnacci, wi.l b. presented. The company inc.udes Mi«s Castles, who has been specmly engai-e-i .o. the sea-en; and other spreial engagementinc'.ude those of Ralph Errolle. irom Metropolitan Opera, Ntw Yo-fc: Car. o-m-«. Alfredo Vt'cr.l i. Vitt'.r'a I--'. Mosca, Brownin? I-uwxery, Tom J.ir.o b je. Frti Ccl ier, KiUen CHcrtru..: •on, Thclma Cnrter G!ady« S Wilson, and Leah Mycw. It is slated particular attention ha# brrn c.i:oc.eu .o ...e •tagin? and mounting. which will rrprese.i the mo«t attractive v-iases oi staze nroduction applied to Gran* Opcr.i. THc i of admi-I-n will be or. . popu'ar fcu.r > - !J. C. Williamson direction t.o iSrs to ~"; i thit the applications for seats for the nr«» of each opera sl'.ou'd hi» -eceivert o. : Milner and Thomn«on prior t"> the orc n '"* jof ;he plan. Priori?" of goverr the al'o'.ment of v-.t?. ilie tor: "y - for th.-» eit:r» rersor. wi'l V.' opened at *",! ?r.d Thompson's next M>rdr.v mornins- IUA details of the booking arran;em!r:ts. programme, etc., are announced eisosracre.

UFHiiA nuuac,. * A bumper house greeted tho weekly chango j ' of prograjnmo at tho Opora lloiigo last eight, I when a vaudeville bill of uterling merit was, D submitted. Maud Courtney and Mr C-. *' piohably two of tho most popular entertainers who havo visited Christchurch into- : R cent y«u», wore accordcd an ovation on their B return ufter eorao months' abfenco. Their | r turn included "Susie," a now lisping eonjj 01 j „ Mf.nH Courtney'o, which achieved an installtaneous ruccciA, and fiomo new nnd ainuflinj? versos of tbeir well-known duet, "I \>ouhl , a Still Lovo You," containing many popular i local "hite." Mr C. gavo an amuoing talk on "Man." Tho duo vrero recalled again and again. Another welcome reappcaranco was that of Do Bakor'a Models, whoso representations of statuary inclrded "Lovo'ft Return, f "Grace," "Daphne and Chloe," ' Morning { Star," "Tho Violin Player," "Forward, • and ( "Vanity." Thia turn also wan accorded hearty c ttpplauas. Do Sylvia who comes direct from t Americu, proved himself an expert 6kater, . i performing many difficult and graceful ovolu- | ( tibns on roller ekatea. Daisy Harcourt, tho ; ( Knglish comodienne, ecorcd another decisive j j eucccas with her sons?*, "Mv Flat, It s a , ( Little Bit Rough on Me," "Pretty Soft, and | j "Who's tho Girl?" Miss Karcourt has a \ stylo all her own, and wears some of tho most marvellous frocks yet seen on a local j ■taffe, one of thorn, composed entirely of j gold and silver tissue, bcinc particularly at- 1 Foster, tho dainty child j violinist, played 6omo fresh r.umbers from . ] her extensive repertoire, namely, "Trau- . ] morei," "Kuywisk," "Mnthor M.ichrce, and | ( •'Racketty Coo," and had to respond to in- j , sistent demand* for an encore. It is snid of : j trapeze acts that they are very much the ; . snmfr, but 6ucli ennnot bo said of that of ( < Belle Marie, th« little trapeso artist, wheoe , ; reason is continued this week. She performs ( tho most (sensational feats npparentlv with . , the pwatest ease, and witli a dainty grnco- , fatness that appeals. Her act is one cnlcu- , lated to talco one's breath away, and tho < etorm of applause which marks the eoneln- j . | fion of her turn is no more than her due. j The Char'.ebort Broth'c and Harry provided i | come very neat tumbling :>nd balancing | ] feata with lightning speed. Tlu- Falvev Sis- | tern appeared in new «onw. which with the I added charm of tho peworalily of llio finders | ! won them hearty plaudits. 'Reneanx and ' Arta, xylnnhonistc. plav-nl n number of *eloc- t . lion*, mclrding '"The Rusrin Rag." Under th"ir ski'f'il manipulations the rylophor.o be- j came indeed a musical instrument. The orchestra, tinder Mr Albert Bidsood, played a bright overture. nn4 the entr'neto, and • supplied the incidental music. The game programme will be repeated throughout tho , week. LIBERTY THEATRE. j . Tho Goldwyn picture, "When Doctors Dis- ' ! orrce." with Mabel Norm. ::d i" '!ie lertdirp part, drev taryo audiences to tfc® Liberty ;„taUo jejterday. T:ie s-.enc "iiaindroji-, and the comcdy, "Chicken Chafed," together • wi:h the double G»zett« screened, contribute to a wcl'.-b.i'nnrrd proarrmme. T'"e L:b~rty Orchestra provides pleasing selections. There j will be a full orchestral matinee to-morrow. ; | "DAMAGED GOOi)s«." I It is st&ted that both the play and the book. "Damaged <~ieoJ.=." suS.r by cotrpjrison v.-;;h tho film v«r:ic:i of this work I •A £lu„e::e Uri-ux. Whtrtas P*J? ni; d book v.cre conatructcd en ;l:e av.enufio j plane, tin- f, rtc:i stor;- hu3 peri!-.itte-l yi , more dtl:l .-rate re .v.at.an i>: ucis. driving ; homo us t:i y do a more nr.cl ! lesson. I-'or this r-wor. a!or.o ! i.» said :ha: the p:'.-:tire a# a pro- , iKiganda a:-.'jiuni fui demon'traw J lu. (llcctivc 1.1 *e iiiat tli; u:oti :i pi. i'.irc c<r: be !>u". to to bo:;c:it all scc'-ic.is ot humanity. ' Lirrtux 1.. ; , p;-.n;;cil iv.tii .1 "I<-M liru'li. jwnsinj: wi;h ver..vr ; ::.o ; roduccr has ae-j •.ti-m.i'.ci tha: hti tu :.c...v «o e\-«:y . stroke u« the muster-l<a:<.t ha.« pa:n«d hw I sto:'v. This 31m, which is '■>.? shown a. ; the Liberty Theatre tro:u Satur lay i.ex*., is ; claimed to be a diroct i. Ij s..:e:.'.:uc ( probl:m eurr--uudius tho w«>.ld a | 'course. Pare::".:. ..re <pec;a'. " to < see j ;h:s rlir. =o that tiiey iu.iy bi- .:r:::c<: j 4 j weapon, so to tc :".e*fc". thf.r ' 1 dren by ir.:u!ca*.ir.g ir. thci-i. •'••• cppor.u- j :i:t~ c:f.'r.-;, the- m.av.- !. .v.icii <■-'• 1 jv"jl t:.:- i c' ; .c: c.c.- i<-". "/•-■*. I "ihc S.--4 Jl dct'a.ls appf-r elscr/."r«. » he , bos p.-:;s . ,-t:i "he Bri'-tel | STRA.VD T HEAT 111-. • ! !:■ "Tl.e Marrißge Price." the j actre-s. K't.c F»r"ii-n::. has a tart ;or v....cn j -he U cm;.:.-nt v 'm; v.i. r.r.d i- flym sr ~'.'\ . toriaus stnirt l>v Wvcdhaxa Star.Qir.^. - j " oh? '*'h? '' " " : " .let.". .Vy ; ';. V.- tii "ita ainios- j r-"'-'-"' •"•"■4 te-se s.'.vn'io"-. i'..wc.- ) r ;-- : r.atis e "CßK.ti: i s...«,cttd .he p ere c "" f T . iul '..«tr,!n.r..»:lc-n. ih.- ' j tomeily, "Hcirts aid I'lov. crs. ' a Bra} p.c^>

graph, "Fencing in Japan," and an American Gazette, complete tlio programme. GRAND THEATRE. "A Perfect Lndy," a Go'.dwyn picturi*#tion of Hom Stahl's famous etago success ol tho same name, wiiUor. by 1 unlock and Rennold \V">lf attracted large auuioncf« to tho Grand Theatre yesterday. Mudyo Kennedy has tho piincipal io.c, that ot Luci'.lc Lo Jam'jon, fe.itun.l performer of tho Merry Models liurlcaqucrs. Tho beautiful comodionno is icon at lior bast in tltM and her performance is a pleasing one. aho Teve'B in tho many uproariously funny eitua- ■ tions, which abound throughout the five act I *, and her dramatic wo-k i» particularly good. Tho cast supporting Miwj Kennedy is a well Roleetcd one, nn l comprises many p.nyerfl of rote. Chief in tho Golchvyn stnr'B support 11 Jere Austin, who plays the role of Dr. Gerald Gravlintr verr effcctivelv, while Wotter Law, Hod La. Rock, Ben Hendricks, und Harry Spinier are excellent in their parts. The Trounting of the plnv is very peciallv tho theatro «cen<*. Tho tenth cpieo.lp eddort another thrilling linlf-hmir to the pnpiilur "Stingareo" rerial, which was watch- ; M with interest by tho nionv followers of this exciting play. "Welcome Homo" proved to bo quite as htimormis as nnv of tho pro- j crding Chri'tia comedies, and "The Pictorial | Educator" was of a ra«t inUwtirg charge- , tor, showing bird studies, millinery styles, making (jolf clubs, etc. A Gazette, with romo fine scones, completed an excellent programme. Tho some films will be chown again to day, with the addition of a Fattv Arbucklo comedy, "Fatty on 3 Mabel Adrift." QUEEN'S TTTEATRE. The star item in tho fine new programmo at tho Queen's Theatro this week is a powerful play with a purpose. "Bluo Blood" shows in graphic fashion the effect of vicious living upon tho descendants of tho original transgressor, and the themo is treated "with ; tho gloves off." Spencer Wellington, a wealthy young man, who is threatened with paresis, will not take the advice of his j physician, and ho marries Grace Valient. Dr. , Rand loves tho same woman, but his pro- | fcssional honour will not permit him to tell j her of her husband's secret. A child Is ; 1 born a helpless defective, that dies almost . i immediately. The mother's mind becomes ! i a blank for a timo. and another child is i substituted for tho dead baby. The husband gets rteaduy worse, and ono n.ght, in the ■ middle of a wild debauch, suddenly drops , ' dead. The programme includes the comcdics, j I "The New Butler," and "Iler Candy I I tho Tathe scenic, "Their and Monte' Dore, , i a pictorial budget, and an episode of iHo Lightning Raider." CRYSTAL PALACE. Tho screen version of Mario Corelli's ! famous novel, "Tho Treasuro of Heaven, is featured on a particularly strong bill at tho Crystal Palace Theatro this week, lhe story ceutrca round an oldorly millionaire, who haj , I everything in life except Love. He proposes . marriage to a young girl, who accepts him. Convinced that his wealth and. not he himself I attracts her, ho <oavcs his old haunts and ! travels through tho land as a poor man. Tho ! story deals with his adventures. Of epecial I interest aleo is a supporting film, "A Trip I Through Weetland," which is unquestionably the finest Now Zealand ecenio picturo yet produced. This film woa mado by tho Department of Agriculture at tho request of tho Wcstland Chamber of Commerce. Its features includo a trip bv coach and motor through tho beautiful Otira Gorge, viowb of I Hokitiia, and other "Wcct Const towns, and I a trip to Lake Kanieri, mirely ono of tho j most beautiful of tho Dominion'e many lovely i lakes. Dozens of lovely vistas of lake, moun- ; tain, glacier, and river aro nhown, while i tho native forert is marvellously dc pic tod. : In fact, tho photography oil throvgh is wonderfully fine, and Xow Zcalandera chould ' congratulate themselves upon the fact that they havo in their midst a photographer who con eo well reproduce their native 6ccnery. Other eccnos in tho film show the sawmilling , industry on the Wost Coast. Also on th«> i programme is *a new Chaplin film, entitled j "Charlio'a Picnio." j EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. i OrAin meontl-ff Chrictchurch Dlaviroor* had

an opportunity of seeing "Do L/uxe Annie.' one cf tho most sensational plays of rcocnt years. Xow picturc-lovera have the chanro of witnessing tho film filay of the same name, which is boms ecrecncd tirourhout the week at Everybody's Theatre. In the name part o:k> of the leading picture actrcr«», Norma Talmadge, ia starred, and sho doeA some of I the best work of her tcrocn career in the part of the woman who was sweetheart, wife, I and mpother, and who, by & turn of fate, be- | cam<- outcast, hunted, and » criminal. She I carries th*.- many tonae Rituations in tho play ' through with preat artistry and dramatio t.nient. Supporting the 6lar is a etroag cast, which includes Eugene O'Brien, and other well-known fifrnrcc of the picture wor'd. Tho ' otlvr pupportin? films are of the hi;h ettindnrd ecnsistentlv maintained by Everybody's Theatre.