AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16726, 8 January 1920, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THF-AIHE ROYAL. "THE BIRD OF PARADISE." The final performance of "The Bird cf Paradise" was given in the Rpy»l last night, before atmience. As cn previous evenincs, the finisned acting of Miss Muriel Starr and the other members cf the company, and the splendul mount:rg!, m;: with much appreciation. "THE SILENT WITNESS." A r.ov drama, "The Si'.cr.t Witness," will bs produced to-night for tho first time. The play, which is said to be i parucu.arlv strong one, tells the storv of a sample country* girl wio. while picturing for her wedding, learr.s of her lever"? denth :r. a ."ire in hi* ro;.i>;e dormitory. She dares not lace the criticism of th» v:11 r,sc, nr.d nrr; wh»re !:cr son is i orr,. Si much is tod :r. the prologue. Tha :i:n.- of the r\.-,t cc*. w eighteen years later. Th* son ij a student in the •>mo college in which hi"< iather is supposed to have lost h:.« life. Another rtuient taunt* him with som-j gossip reflecting or. J" ar j entsge. There is a ■'ctiflle, and • ; '•tuner., ia killel. Tho mystery deepen*. erd the toy is or th? verge of bciiw sentenced for niu.aer when his mother arrives and reonsniso* tho orosecuting attorney a» the fithcr o the boy. There is a thrilling fcciio room adjacent to the courtroom. -tnd '■ ie prosec'itir.g attorney himself establishes t-'C innocence of his Thing* are complicated bv the prosecutor's engagement to another girl, who courageously give? hitn r.p. ana the old sweetheart* are reunited with tneir boy. The berrt point cf the piny •■< the nice balance in action winch is preserved, tho quick r.pnreciation of dramatic and the first-rate artir.T opportunties artorded to sever.-.! cf the leading members of tho company. J. C. WILLIAMSONS GRAND OPERA SF..V OX. The forthcoming season of grand opcru :it tho Christchurch Theatrd lioyal, eommcncms Friday wc:k. January If.th, -*ir. be notable, if for no ether reason, than the appearance of so many Australian-born artists. Of thesi chief "interest wi l centre on Miss Ca3*.lw prin-.a dor::a. _The Australiun silver will make ht'r u-jbut in "Fauot." which will open the soaaor., and she may rely on a warm wcicomc _t° Cnristchurch. Since, last boiorc* the New /ealand pcblic. Miss Ccsllcs has engaged in an extended tour of the Continent, Britain, anu America. In tho last-named country the Australian artist eccurcd both cn artistic and personal triumph. Of all her engagements there, however, she retains the most vivid memory of a privato concrrt given «t th« Oyster Bay rcsidonce oi the late Theooore Roosevelt. On that o;ca«ion she had the r<srr advantage of a vichu plnyci b.« Mi'eiia Klmnn. Bv the special vcc.ik;'? of '.he csc-l'rosiden'., Miss Castle f.r.g "Tro. Last Roj»© of Summer. He bad henrd her in number at a concert in the Curneg'.e When it was over Roosevelt dcc'ared to Castles that she had rung the mchj-.iy v.itli inore feeling and beauty of t-me than »ny ether artist he had hoard. During the opening week of tho season, Mis-. Ci-.stlea will be identified with Die presentation of "Faust. "La Bohcme," and "Madame Butterfly. The performance of "Faust" will servo to introduce to a Ciiristchurch audience Ralph Errolle, a noted temr, fre.ni the Metropolitan Opera, New York i Carl Forme.«. a gifted baritona. from the leading American theatres: Alfrctlo Valrnti. a prominent b?-"0. from New York; Thciraa Carter, a brilliant Australian contralto: Vera Bedford, contralto; and Tom Minogue, tho popular Australian baritone. Bos plans for the season of eleven nights, during whiiih "Fnnst. Talcs of HcfTmAn 1 ' (first timo in Christchurch). La Bohcme," "Madamo 1 lii>cci.' "Csvalleria Ru«tieana." "Carmen." "II Trovotore," and "La Tonca" (nrst time here), will ho presented, will be opened at Milner and Thompson's on Monday momine. The first and only matinee of the season will be given on f-'r.tnrday, .Innuary 24th, when "Madame Butterfly" will bo staged. OPERA HOUSE. Tli a capital programme showing this week at the Opera House drew another large sudienco last night, the respective artists being warmly applauded for their turns. The programme will be repeated to-night. LIBERTY THEATRE. The Liberty Theatre is being well patronised this week, the principal being the favourite actress Mabel Normand, who ia rcen in the (ioldwyn comedy, "When Doctors Disagree." Strong supporting Girns arc included in the programme. "DAMAGED GOODS." In conformity with tho Niw Zealand censor's ruling, tho film, "Damaged Goods ! which con.meiicca u week's season at tho Liberty Theatre on Saturday afternoon, must bo shown separately to either ser. A snccial men's matinee will given r.ext Wednesday. Brieux undoubtedly ect out on i* big mission to break asunder in the social und working lifo of the masses, those all too miinv efforts to veil tho gravest danger that had threatened tho peoples of oil cour.tncs, in tho dramatic story he has shown in the character of George Dupont's drawn study from life of a brilliant young lawyer on the threshold of a big public carccr, who, in most cases, falls an unconscious victim to the dread disease that is the outcome of unwholesome living. As is genera.ly known, the story 'built round "Damaged Goods" is of an unusual character, but nevertheless the author ha 3, in his wisdom, provided s wealth of human interest in an absorbing theme of dramatic climaxes. Tho box plans for men and women's sessions are at Tho Bristol.

STRAND THEATRE. "Tho Marriage Price," with its numerous novel features, has hit the popular fancy, und is attracting satisfactory attendances at tho Strand Theatre. The popular actress, E'.sio Ferguson, plays the leading port in the picce, which a'.!oW3 her ample opportunity to demonstrate her powers as an artiste. GRAXD THEATRE. At tlio Grand Theatre, lloso Stshl's utago success, "A Pcrfect Lady." with Madge Keanody in the leading role, is the principal picture thia week. An episode of "fctingarce." nnd a Arbuckle corncdy are also showing. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The startling picture "Bluo Blood," showing how tho sins of the parents are passed on to tho children, is showin" this wrek at the Queen's Theatre, tho supporting pic. tures being an episode of "Tho Lightning Raider" and others. CRYSTAL PALACE. Marie Corel'.i's "Tho Treasure f>f Heaven" was Eoreenod at tho Cryst.ii Palace yesterday. and will bo shown throughout the week. The scenic. "A Trip Through Wcstlnnd," or.d [ other films are also on tho programme. I EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "De Luxe Ar.nie," Btarring Norma Ta'.madge and Eugene O'Brien, is showing at Everybody's Thcatro thin week, and attracting large audienccs. the story of the woman who, through an injury, bccomea tho associate of criminals, and finally returns to her former life with the recovery of her memory, b:ing fo'lowed with deep interest.