AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16728, 10 January 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. J'THE SILENT WITXESS." Hauerbach'j clever play, "Tho Silent »:tnes.«. was staged by the Muriel Starr Company for the second time last night at tr.e iheatrt; Royal, and cn the opening r.;g.it. there was a largo audier.co. The author has suc-.ceded :n writing an enthralling pie'.e, which, ii ;t must bo c.a«scd as of the melodramatic type, must al»-> be recognised a3 of a high order. When once tho opening partj ere disposed of the pi.iy runs smoothly and naturaliy to its couc'.iiaion, wl.."rh has the efftfet of leaving thi audi;:;ce thoroughly satisfied. Tlio end of the fecund act produced a fp.cndid piece cf acting ix-tween Miss otarr and Mr Harvey. Miss Starr pcrtraved her part with great skill and finish, and Mr Hirvfy's scting was also co:ivii.c.r.g. Mention must aho be made of the work of Mr <!• 15. Atliolwood, ;r. the part or tho gardener. Mr K Allai.by scored a sncce-i in his interpretation of "Bud Morgan,'' and Mr Hairy C. Power tlso did well as at-to-nev's assistant. Other" -.vh-> were conspicuous were Mr Arthur Stvan and Misses Daphne Bdiin and Kthc! .'lorrijcn. The piece will be played again to-night. J. C. WILLIAMSON" GRAND OPERA COMPANY. The box plans for the cloven nights of tfc« J. C. Vi'iiliamsjn grand vpeia e-oaecm will I>i opcuetl a.t Mi.nor and Thompson s on Monday mousing, at 3 o'clock. In view of tho heavy advjiic-o book.ng expected, an augmented BUiff will deal with the inch. for the benefit of patrons from the country letters of application will Lk> icccivod. Tho seats will bo aLlotted in the ordc-r in which the letter* come to hand. There will be no extra fc-o- tor bo><ltir.g. Tho inauguration of the grand opera season is cot only creating inicieet 111 Chrisiclr.irch, but also in the country districts. Applications aro pouring into the booking office by every mail. The opening oil Friday night next will be Gounod's popular and molodious work, "Faust," with Amy Castles as Margucrita, Ilalph Errollo us Kauat, Alfredo Yalenti aj Mcphi;topheltn, and Carl Formes as Yalentiuo. On Saturday evening OScnbacn'a beautiful opera, "Taica of Hoffmsn," will played for the first timo in this city, with Eileen C-astlca, Ralph Errolel. Thelma Carter, Elsy Ttewcck, Patti Russell, Carl Forme*, Alfredo YaJenti, and Fred Collier in thi cast. On Monday night "La Boiietne" will be presented with Amy CVi'tlcw a« Mimi. and Walter Wheatloy, a noted tenor, aa Rudolpho. Tuesday will bo dovote<l to tho production of Puccini's great work, "Madame Butterfly," and on Wednesday "1 Pagliacci" and "Cavalleria Rusticana" "will be eung.

will bo repeated on Thursday. Verdi's popular_ opera, "II Travatore," will be played on Friday. A spccial matinee performance of "Madame Butterfly" will bo «iven on Saturday, January 24th, and in tho evening "Carmen" will bo played. The first presentation in Now Zealand of Puccini's "La Toeca" on Wednesday, 28th inst., will be a feature of tbo season. This powerful nuaical setting of Sardou's drama presents ' a vorsion of that terrible ttory condensed into three acts. The original is faithfully followed from tho meeting of Florin Tosca with Cav3radossi in the chapel, whero assistance is Riven to the escaped prisoner Anselotti, to tho situations by Baron Scarpia, tho unscnipulo is Chief of tlio Roman 1 olk*. Tho torture of Cavorado.vn by Scartiia, and tho murder of tbo latter by La Tosca occupy the second act. Tho third shows the last meeting of tho lovers beforo * mock execution, which tho fiendish malice of the murdered man has turned into a Teal one, followed by the suicide of tho heroine. The«o incidents ore allied with some of tho Italian composer's finest and most emotional music, and tho opera has been received with enthusiasm in all tho operatic centros of tho world. OPERA HOUSE. Counter-attractions hrre little if any effect on the Opera House judsin? bv tho larce attendances that aro present nightly. i n Ataud Courtney end Mr 0. the management prcsont two artists whoso claim to popularity is without question. The Americnn skater, De Sylvia, shows perfect command of the Toilers, and the poses of Do Baker's Models in statuary representations merit the applause thoy are eceordcd. Tho smart songs of Daisy Harcmirt and her dainty frocks, which aro a revelation to Chmtclmrch, make her turn a success, and encores aro frequently demanded from the elever child violinist. Xlajreie Foster. her iuternrctat'en of such *-iece« p* "Mother Machree," "Traiunerci," "Kuywiak," and "Hacketlv Coo," beinp a feature of the projframme. Other turns, comprising a very diverstfiod bill, aro piven bv tho trapezist, Belle Marie, tho tumblers Charlehert Brc«. and Harry. TJenani and Arta, sylophonisto, «nd tho Falvoy Sisters. Thero will bo a matinee this afternoon.

QUEEN'S TIIEATRE. A sinner who becamo a saint, and a saint who becamo a sinner—this is iho theme of the sensational picture, "Thais," which » to be screened at tho Queen's Theatre on Monday "Thais" is a famous novel by Anatole France, it is a more famous picture. Goldwyns have excelled themselves in producing it. The portrayal of tho erotic splendour of old Egypt is remarkably true to iustory. It y difficult in these times to believo that any ago could havo reached such a state of debauchery. Mary Garden plays tho title role to perfection, "Mario's, Ltd.," is another great picture, in which Alice Brady is featured tie Drina Hilliard, whose parents reparato when she is a very little girl. Tho mother (Marie) goes to Now York to start a millinery business, Drina left with her father in the West. Marie's ebop on Fifth hvenue becomes famous, and tho firm of "Mario, Ltd.," very successful. When she finishes hex education Drina, whose mother has been paying for it, decides to go to assist her mother, and on tho journey mcetA Blair Carson. a wealthy New Yorker. A littlo later sho meets Colonel Lambert, an old roue, and is preteed by her mother to marry him. Tho Colonel, un.ib'e to pain her oss»nt, threaten® Drin» with an exposure of her mother's business methods unlem his suit is accepted. What Drina dccides to do coznee n« a distinct surprise to tboeo who roc tlw picture. Supporting films include a pictorial budget, 'Our Vanishing Game" (eduoatlona:), and a further episode of "The Lightning Raider."

"DAMAGED GOODS." At the Liberty Theatre this afternoon and to-night, "Damaged Goods" will be shown to women only, and on Monday evening tho first of tho men's sessions takes place. Woman's matiqeca are given daily, and a special men's matinee is to be given in addition on Wednesday afternoon. It n claimed that this film adaptation of tho row colebr&ted French author's work is very delicately handled, and tho acting is very fine, in some places superb. An addition to tho play nnd ] ovei, which in this caso improves the lesson of Brieux's drama, is a scries of examples of tho cflccts cf the disease dealt with, which are introduce! naturally into tho incident of tho story, and used with excellent discretion to enhance the point of the play without offending ordinary susceptibilities. Tho picture generally succeeds in convoying tho lesson without sensationalism or entering to vulgarity, and it will probably carry a much more widespread message to the public

than did the play in propagatng tho gospel of self-knowledge in tho interest of society Senerally. The management claim that tho segregation of the sexes at the several session 3 is a wise provision, for whils therJ is probably nothing in the picture that a mixed audioco® of adults might object to, tho division of patrons into special sessions removes any possibility of embarrassment, and tends to promote a freedom of discission which be ban'ked in ot':er ci"-um-stacces. "The entr'acte this week is "Three African Dances." Box plans are at The Bristol and also tho Libsrty Theatre, whenday sale tickets aro available. STRAXD THEATRE. Heading the bill which is to b® screened at the Strond Theatre to-day ia tho Paramount Inc® picture, "The Sheriff's Son." the general character of tho «tory being that of tho Western melodrama of adventure, chase, and rescuo, in which Chillies Rav, <is the sheriff's eon, Royal Boaudry, has his physical courage put to the tcet, and overcomes '"ho timidity of inexperience ucdor trying circutnrtanccs. Tho story is that while in pursuit of an old pal of his father's who has hee-n kidnapped. Beaudry enters dangerous territory under an assumed name. His tnio identitv is quickly discovered by Beulah Rutherford, whoa® father is tho leader of tho Rutherford rang. Beninh _ pains h*r mation by seeing th® initials in Beaudrys hat. The girl subsequently regrets her l* s " trayal, and assists the orieor.er to escapo. At the Mno timo Beaudry manages to get hia father'® pal out of danger. The girl, however, js still under the belief that the young to an is a coward. S'n® happens to him a little later when his courage is In™ to the utmost in winning a desperato fight. It is then brought home to her that ho is a bravo man, aruft that she loves hia. porting pictures includo the Dtcxs m th® comedv "Bunkered," and Episode 0. entitled "Fumes of FrightfulneM" of the great serial, "The Silent Mystery," as well as a pictograph. a cartoon, and a gazette. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Another delightful comedy for Constance Taimadgo is "A Lady's Name," one of the •tar attractions at Everybody's Theatre next week. In it tho heroin© advertises for a haefcand. in order to get "copy" for her new novel, in spito of the fact th*t »be is already engaged to a young man about town. Tie subsequent interviews and adventure* with th® various applicants for the position are productive of such comedj ftitnatino* **

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'. »•• •• - ••*■' <*"•• cour.vrs '...o i. f* •' c * : •vr.o if alfo ir. io-.v v;:;; i-'.t :!i tho nrt it c ~r.■ '"f** <i.o;:tv iii.M h ;.i in vjr.MiifL - ::. ' 1 :.-• ;'■ lli-< a;:o::* :- to r.i".':*'.* ":v- <' :r'Vr. ...u. ;r - .'.:■ but hjv;r.s :r..i'k- -i s .'""i"!-" ti:i:> 't i' ; '' I \\ i:*'n t;o fort:s/*s }.is .i*'rr": ■•:' .• howovor. ];t----fiv.-ifi that ftv.dy •- not rot .'vary/ &< M.iric a!.*<-adr Jot's hi:::. The stijTorti''.-? P ro * pr.Tir.rr.o i:.c rcV r > a c '.'■"■. l" 'i "Tho Cv.-;o of a a !)<' •.:r.i"n trav:.i!r:i<». and .1 Tiv<:.~:i! Utvi:'.-! Tho> i-':r.iuncen:<-nt i* ii:mo th.it t!:c ma: r.r-oiro-.t. have a^ .iin pccurcd 'if pn-.'i'ar n»!:c<Tt:ra expor.cr.ts, Co!:n and Johr. C,';:ntrly':!. '*no v.-ill prconl nr. otitirc'.y i'i<nv and up-: i-datc w'.oc-t;.-n of i:o:r.s .-■ ri :l:ri r i• 1* sicr: f-» frr>:n c'-i""ical :o rn"ti:n". T':" 1 C'ryein! I'a!:i«<? nr.der tho rnr. J .i:ct'nr t !ir.!J "f Mr IJobt. T. Kirk, wi'l '.n th<* onttrt:.ir.niont. in thoir accr.s'oi:;cd able t"y■'• 4 — OIJANO TTIKATKK. The wry «ucce= c f;;! photonlar, "A P-.rfcct I.ady," M;'.;izc- Ktl'.nci'.v, wh.icii haa iy?on attractin',' very i:niioi)ot-3 at ;ho Orand Tr.< aire tlrs u«k, ivi'i 1.0 tliosni fnr the lasi tiriio -.o-ri-lit. IMtroi.s arf sidvino<l to (>onk fh■":r cr;its to avriJ di>.'"ji^int::]*--!".t. Oil Mor.'lay ntiothor projranimt> is I'.'nm if e'i. Tho wor.dcrft:! ft.'.ro fitsccofa, '"The !.lr,n n:id t!:c :Imi-:f," prr.vr.tcd ht-ro *•'.• .Ti:!;i!-» Kni' l '". ti'l i ,• rii turife:! i:i tho plioto-iirania nf ih" faint" lianio. jn ••vhirh til" pon'shir Alirs Jnyc>» th«» ?or.din? mlo. K'.oin has never prodticod nuvthin;: letter than play. Tho their.o in f.t?:'ir:3'.:r.c and irv.;■''!!ir.t. In tif™ full <i<l'. r.:.r.:0 of .-.!! 'p'.)>i'r.! the ploy, and in pr-s"t:tir:? Alice Joyc<- n« S!t: r !oy K'---:;:orr > VitaTraplt hr.s eivon out .a merit attractive av.tl plea ir.'j picture. Tho story, full of pei:i::re in('>r' , .'=». flows n'.cnc ;n smoothly and as iWp as» a ureat river. «\vcepir.j; out f.r.ollv into a crcat cli'.iws. WIRTIT'S CIRCUS. Thcra will bf excitement for tho children end entertainment for yotin? ard old r,:i Saturday. 17th insl, when tlio Circun and ilenaserie owned hy Wirth Urotliers. I.td., and personally conducted hy the Wirt ho them«elvpj=, arrives in C!;ri> tchureh about 7 a.m. The special train.*, three ill number, will bring the caravansary to town in the early nioruin?. and what a bustle and shouting and trampling there wiil be ns the five elephants dra;; the lumbering and strin'.'s o[ ar.iniil cat;c;i from •he station to the circus srctim!. Alinont U--fi re one can turn around the MafT of a hundred workmen employed by the circus will have orccte<l a canvas city of their own, covering on acrc of grcuml, with 18,000 fqvarc feel under canvas; a hutje '"big-top," with tier upon tier of feats to accommodato thousands of spectators; a great menagerie tent to houoo the elephants, liong, tigers, boar.', monkeys, aiul other animals; Ffabling for fifty horses; an engine mid dynamo, villi toninlet" e'octric lighting and twreer plant; a kitchen and mess tent; and half a dozen smaller tents, used by the circus company. In the afternoon the mennperie will bo thrown open to tho public for a small charge. At night the circus performance will bo given. Wirth Brothers will this year present a gabocy of seven super-«tar nit-actions, imported from America. Tho Eddy T)uo, mar\el'otis performers rn the silver wire; tho Cevine Troupe, four ladi?«i and two gentlemen. who run, dance, leap and somersault on tight wires mors easily than moat oeoplo could on the ground: the three Oareias, whoso acrohntic feats have astonished three continents; the Zoo Sisters, who give a spectacular b-ittrrflv ballet in mid-air. swinging from cords held in their teeth; the Flying AVinskil'.s. who, with their Charlie Chanlin clown, provide n comedy trap?7.e act; Leo Montfort. i:i "the loin of death," whirls around n fifty foot circle lilto a bullet on a strins: M'le." Belle Onra, n lady gvrrnast. T-t TS.iiWn "oiing n"imals in living statuary, faithfully reproduco world-famous ina''erpieces of art. An outstanding item is Silly Danny, the clown, and liis flock of trained ceese, tho first ever phown in Australia. These are a of the results oT patience nnd kindne«« in educating tlio most Ktunid cr-atures. The box is at The Bristol. The location of tlie circus is opposite tho railway station.