AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16727, 9 January 1920, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. THE SILENT WITNESS."

It would have been pood policy on the part of Messrs J- C. AVillinmfoii. Litd., if they hsd opened the Muriel Starr season with "The Siler.t Witr.css," or at lea»»t pv.t it on as the second piece. Uu'.ike "The Bird o: Parad.i3e," :t doe« not lend itself to cSocts; "Th«.- Silent Witness" has no r<xxi for paddir.™ or elaboration. It tells a br:s'<v. eic:t:ng star.-; and although it cannot btr called an>*thinct but it i$ rsclo dra.T.a of tho highest standard. It -.ras writte:: by Otto Hauerbach, tran'UiVor c: "The Merry Widow" and author of the fascinating "Katir.ka," and it must be --aid that the author is just as a writer of drama as be i* of the libretto of musical enmedy. The p:oc-? take 3 a little time to 'prt into iit ■jtiiie," nj rt wore, b::t or.ce it strikes it ~.ulups at full Fp'ed la the finish!ny pwt. Brightiv and wir.ilv written, replete

" i;h clever an-.1, at ti'nes, tlijlo-uo, and conceived w::h a lin* ur.in-.atic pens-?. it is a p'ay that v.-r>t:!-i c<i:::po! attention cnywh-ve end at any tirre, ar.d r-s it is pplcndidiy interpreted by th> present cc«»te, it must be v.-riiton <iovn as a complete s-uccosa. Miss Starr herself m not the co::tra! £gurc in the piece: in fact, b:r part rather a «mall one, but she has just the -ipportunity to prove her artistry, and nothing better than tier scene with Mr Harvey at the or.-i of tlio second act could Ik* wished for. The author lias drawn the scene with gront. dramatic fbrce, r.nJ Mi*i Starr and Mr Harvey moke tho most of it. Few other chances come her way, but li«r performance proved thoroughly eatwijinf;. Aji the State Prosecutor, Mr Harvey has a. heavy role to enact, but latt night he rcw; to tb© occasion prandly, :md gav® afi fin id bed a performance as has been teen here for man" years. He gave a vcrv fine study of the part, and was iindoubtt-ily tho duet-ess of the evening. Sharing the honour* with him was Mr J. B. Atholwood, who, aa tho old and very shrewd college gardener, was responsible for a very fine character study indeed, quit® equal to tlio best of the many Rood things lie has dor.a here. Mr Frank Ailanby was quite good a» "Bird Mnrsan," the unfortunate of the picce. Mr Harry C. Power made the most of tho part of tho attorney's assistant, whoso one dcsir« is to scniTe a conviction at any price. Mr Arthur Styan did not have a great charco as Mr Vcldon, his part placing him well in tho backffround, tut ho was always interesting, while Miss D.aphne Bairn and Miss Kthel Morrison wor© quite satisfactory in their reopectivo roles. All the other members of the company were well cast. Last night's performance-of "The Silent "Witness" was the first in New Zealand. Tho piecc was thoroughly enjoyed, and will no doubt attract bij; lioiws before tho season is completed. It will be repeated nightly until Thuraiay nert.

J. a "WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA SEASON.

To-morrow is tfc© last day on which applications for first night Bcata for the Williamson giand operatcaaon should be lodged at Milncr and Thompson's. It is stated that already thero id a. steady flow of applications. The box plans for the entire season of eleven nights will open on Monday morning. It is said that the splendid reputation of the company in Sydney and Melbournci has been moro than in Wellington, whoro tho critiro unanimously support the enterprise. Hho harmonious cohesion of tho ensemble is much commented upon. This hn« been achieved by reason of the now association of tho artists, orchestra, and chorus. Moreover, tho org&nisation is said to have a producer of high repute in Mr Frank Rijro, who is well-known us a stag® director at the Metropolitan Opera Ilouce, New York, Covent Harden, London, and tho mo6t important European theatres dedicated to opera. The fact that tho opera." aro bcinp piven in Ennlish has also contributed jrreatly to their popularity in Australia. The company n claimed to be tho most comprehensive that has yet visited New Zealand. It numbers ovor 125. Next Friday evening ths performance of "Faust" will mark tho tion of <h(» season, and lovor* of music and of the highest in vocal achievement® may look forward to ,in exceptional treat. Tho cast of moro than 30 performers who appeared at Sydney and Melbourne, together with the comploto chorus and orchestral ndeptfl, have been brought over epecially, and it i* Ktated bv the management that each production will b« presented upon the samo ambitious scale. Tho programme for the season, and particular* of tho bo* office arrangement«, aro antrcranccH elsewhere.

OPERA HOUSE. Another large audienco Rrcoted laat nipht'e porformanoo at tho Opera Honse. M.aud Courtney and Mr C. wct« loudly . pplanded for their clever turn, as also w-re D*. Bukor's Models. Th<* expert skater Do Sylvia, wlio is frcah from Amcrica; the Entjliah comodienne, Daisy Harcourt; tho child riolinist, Mapjjio Foster; 80110 Marie, tho irapeso artist; Oliarelbert Bros, and Harry, tumblers and balance™; Renaux and Arto, zylophoninUi, und tho ijopulnr Faivey Sist«T« were in capital forin an"! recalls wero froquent. Tho playing of Mr Albert Bidgood'a , orchestra in a plwuing foaturo of the programme, Trhich will bo repeated to-nigh'.. "DAMAGED GOODS." A fully representative gathering of clergymen, doctors, parliamentarians, and social workers attended the Liberty Theatre yesterday morning, by invitation, to view "lho picture, "Damaged Goods." Mr Portus, tho director of the film, received many flatterins exprosioiw of opinion from thoso present, endorsing ch© TSiuarkablo enlogism in other countriea of the vaiuo tho picturo poaoeaces in educating both young: nnd old. Both tho play and the book "Damaged Good*" auffor by comparison with tho film version of this remarkable work of Eugene Brioux. Whereafl play and book were constructed on tbo higher scientific plane, the acroen story hiis permitted of a more doll be rate revelation of facts, driving homo as thfy do a more forcible and lasting leason. , .°' tluß reason alone it is ea'id tlrat tho picture oa a propaganda medium further demonstrates tho effective use that the motion picturo tan bo put to to benefit all sections of humanity. Brkru haa painted with a bold brush, dispensing- with veneer the producer has determined tiat his audi«noo shall eee every stroko aa tho tuaetcr hand h« painted his atory. This fino film, which » to be shown at the Libertv Theatre from to-morrow nftcrnoon, is a direct, answer to the scientific problem surrounding tho world's greatest scourge a mjecial matinee for men is to ho given next Wednesday afternoon, following l on tho women's matinee. Box plans are at The x>n«toi.

GRAND THEATRE. "A Perfect Lady," featuring Madg« Jvennady, a further episode of the serial "Stingaree," a Chriotio comedy, and other films account for the largo audiences ottendinir tho Grand Thoatro this week. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, '•Be Luxo Annio,' in which Misa Norma Talraadge appears with much success, keeos Everybody's Theatre well filled at all sessions. The tUma will bo screened again tonight. CRYSTAL PALACE. The Crystal Palace has been drawing- larco audiences during the w«ek. The programme includes the film adaptation of "The Treasure of Heaven," the scenic, "A Trin Through Weatland," and a Charlie Chaplin" comcdy." LIBERTY THEATRE. Largo attendances were present at tho Liberty Theatre yesterday, tho principal attraction being "When Doctors Disagree" starring Mabel Nonsand. ' QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tho sensational film, "Bluo Blood," with ita exposure of tho consequencce of riotoua living, is attracting largo attandaacea at tho Queen's Theatre. The programme will bo repeated to-day. STRAND THEATRE. At tho Strand Theatre "The Marriago Price" continues to attract good business. "The Silent Mystery," the first opisodo of which is "Egypt's Vengeanoe," » a aerial for which a «rucoe6aful run can safely bo predicted. THE DICKIE FAMILY AND COMPANY. ' •The Dickie Family and company of vaudeville artists will appear at Kaiapoi," Southbridge, Lecston, and Darfield. Tie resident® of' i thoco places should avail themselves of tho opportunity of witnessing an excellent «how.