THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 3, 9 February 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

DXJPAULT'S FINAL CONCERT. The fifth and last of Mr Paul Dufault's concerts was given on Saturday night. 'As has happened before in Christchurch, it seemed that__the company had kept its best until the last. Mr Ernest Toy put more life than usual in his playing, and his dexterity, joined with this added virtue, made his opening choice, for example, very good. Even Miss Bindley did good work in the lighter stuff, though the- "Jewel Song" and "Sing, Sweet. Bird" appeared rather beyond her capacity. Mr Dufault himself pleased an audience as hungry as the daughter of the horse leech with a very wide selection of songs. An areo'from "Mignon" was given -jvery well. His bracketed numbers, 4Songs My Mother Taught Me" (Dvarok), "Le baiser" (G. Thomas), and "Morning" (Qley Speaks), gained him more applause "than even he had gained in Christchurch before. This was -followed by his ever popular "Inyictus," with the most effective of his dramatic work, Pogg's "Inter Nos" as a further encore. There was the same uproar of appreciation at the conclusion of the p.- f f r ""-'~ v with "The Dawn" (d'Harde,. \V# Saistu" (Msdssenet), and "Tr : lay and To-day " (Spross). Thoughr'i£- 4 yas clear that Mr D#£aaalt was very tired the people refused to let him go-??ven after two further encore numb&rs. They \ stayed cheering and clapping in their seats until he headed all his previous., efforts with the lengthy dramatic dialogue of Homer's "How's My Boy." / EOYAL "RTILLERY BAND. Preparations are well in hand for' the opening of the brief second season of the Royal Artillery Band, in Christchurch, in the King Edward Barracks to-morrow' evening.. The tickets are selling well at the Dresden, so it seems .probable that there will be less rush at the ticket boxes than t/3re was last time. Arrangements have been made

for the forming of queues at the Montreal Street entrance, which gives way to both the reserved and the other seats,; and, also at the Cashel Street entrance, which opens the other part of the house. On Wednesday afternoon, when the band is to play at Lancaster Park,,a special tram ; servioe will be run to the Park before the concert, and back afterwards. On Wednesday evening another concert will be given in the barracks. /To-morrow's programme will include the grand march "Rienzi" (Wagner), overture "Egmoht" (Beethoven), "Entry of the Gods into' Valhalla" (Wagner), and a grand selection "Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) and the "William Tell" overture by Rossini. THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG. After a successful season in Wellington, J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company will commence a brief season, at the Theatre Royal this evening, in a magnificent production of Franz Lehar's charming musical comedy triumph, "The Count of Luxembourg. '' Positively only three representations can be given of "The Count of Luxembourg," which will be followed by "Autumn Mancouvres," "The Arcadians," and "The Chocolate Soldier." Seats in excellent positions for this evening's and subsequent performances may be reserved at Milner & Thompson's, and tickets for the stalls and gallery may be purchased at the Toy Cave confectionery, shop or at the doors this i evening. A full lighting and scenic rehearsal took place, which will positively prevent any hitch occurring during to-night's performance. Gorgeous dresses, effective groupings, attractive ballets, lavish appointments, and elaborate scenery are adjuncts to the pretty music, the clever comedy, and an unusually interesting story, the interest of which is sustained right up to the final fall of the curtain. The appearance of that great favourite, Miss Florence "Young, will doubtless be the signal for an outburst of enthusiasm, as the famous soprano is particularly popular with local playgoers. From a singing point of view the new comics are particularly strong, as the organisa-

tion includes Mr Reginald Roberts, the brilliant tenor, Mr Frank Greene, the popular baritone, Miss Celia Ghiloni, the charming contralto, and Dorothy Brunton, the dainty -young mezzo soprano, who was here before with "The Girl in the Train." Special, interest will bo centred in the appearance here of Mr Phil Smith, who hails from the leading London theatres. Mr Robert Whyte, jun., will appear as the Grand Duke Rutzinov; he has proved himself an exceedingly clever comedian. Mr Victor Prince seems to be able to adapt himself to any part. New Zealanders> are aware of Mr Charles Albert's capabilities both as a comedian and a dancer, and the inclusion of Viasta Novotna, the Russian dancer,, also strengthens the east. A specially augmented orchestra and chorus is under the baton of Herr Gustav Slappoffski. The plans are now open at Milner & Thompson's for the entire season. GRAND THEATRE. A very attractive/programme is at present being shown at the Grand Theatre. < The chef d'oeuvre is entitled "The Water Rat," and it of those fascinating criminal dramas by the Selig Company. That alone should be sufficient recommendation. , The plot revolves around an ingenious criminal, who by his remarkable natatorial powers has earned among his associates and the police the nickname of '' The Water Rat." Attempt after attempt is made to capture him, but he always proves too slippery a customer. At length Dr Westerley, a crime investigator, arrives, and then ensues a battle of wits between a clever criminal and an equally astute detective. The whole film is replete with thrilling situations, as first one and then the other obtains the advantage. The scenes and settings are very picturesque, and thereby add considerably to the merit of the production. Those who find time hanging on their hands should step inside the Grand, and they will derive pleasure. "Constantinople" (*cenic) unfold j some very fine views of the city founded by the famous emperor, and the Selig Company, also presents another masterpiece in "The Dancer's Redemption." Other films of an interesting character

can also be seen, chief of which are ''Witness A3 Centre'' (drama), ''The Boob," and. "A Shfapnel Duel'' (comic). OPEEA HOUSE. A programme more varied even than than that shown last week will be staged at the Opera House to-night.' Mr John Fuller, senr., will make his reappearance as a vocalist after an absence from the vaudeville stage of over two years. The Franco midgets, the smallest troupe* of and conjurers performing, also occupy a .place on the bill. Le Brun, billed, as the champion skater of England and America, will also make his first appearance on the Opera House" stage. Hyman and Alton, a comedy duo, the Carpos Brothers, head balancers, and Vernon and Mack are also on the new bill. GLOBE THEATER Throughout the day an. excellent dramatic picture has been showing at the Globe Theatre. The study, entitled "The Buried Past," is over 2000 ft in length, and there is not an uninteresting piece in the film. Another highly dramatic picture is "The High Tide of Misfortune." In this study the acting and general staging is specially good. Other pictures are "Getting the Best of Dad," " Making Himself a Hero,'' and the'' Warwick Chronicle. '' This last has a number of good topical subjects included. FULLERS' PICTURES. Both afternoon and evening sessions at the Colosseum were liberally patronised on Saturday. To-night an entirely new programme will be presented. The leading film will be a pictorial adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, under the title of "Scrooge," with the renowned actor, Seymour Hicks, in the name part. When Mr Hicks essayed his great impersonation of the miser, he simply electrified London. That being so, patrons can safely anticipate a pictorial entertainment of unusual interest. The film will be greatly enhanced by music "which has been specially arranged by Herr Zimmerman. Supporting "Scrooge,"

there will be the " Gaiimos^Gsa-phic,j' which will embrace topical events"of cosmopolitan interest, "Construction of a Locomotive," "Wellington Athletic Sports," "A Window on Washington Park" (drama), "An Evening with Spencer Wilder" (comedy), and a humorous film which will interest married ladies, "Sauce for the Goose." A special scenic feature will be "Beautiful Kawau," the former residence of New Zealand's grand old man, the late Sir George Grey.' HIS MAJESTY'S. The West-Hay ward Proprietary have taken particular pains Ho get together a suitable programme for this week at His Majesty's Theatre*; There is a clever "detective study entitled '' The Black Thirteen." This is the sequel to another similar picture. "The Spider League," which the public will remember. ' A wonderful scenic picture showing Niagara in winter garb is also to be screened to-night. Another Nature study takes the spectator on a ramble round the Paris Zoo, one of the finest in the world. Excellent studies of the animals are shown, and th«- picture is photographically perfect. SYDENHAM PICTURES. '' The Black Thirteen'' is another detective film now showing at the Sydenham Picture Theatre. All through the picture the interest is maintained, and in the end law and order triumphs in-' a. thrilling climax. Niagara Falls in winter time forms the subject of another picture. The great mass of water is shown frozen solid for three parts of its width, and the effects obtained by the camera mans are particularly good. '' The Paris Zoo,'' '' Troublesome Tresses," and "The Little Brother" are comedies also appearing on the bill. QUEEN'S THEATEE. All Saturday the available seating accommodation in the Queenis Picture Theatre was occupied* The current programme is an excellent One, and includes:—"Topical Budget No. 121," "Cause for Thankfulness" (Edison drama), "Mr Pickwick and the Shooting Party" (Vita comic featuring John

Bunny) and "TII3 House of Discord" vTA.I3. drama). This last-named magnificentT'prSduction. occupies over half an hour, most wonderful and lavish scenes in > s home, including the greatest scene ever witnessed. "Love Sea" (Keystone comedy) is also to lip shown. * _ .