THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 108, 12 June 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

THEATRE ROYAL.

The George Willoughby New Dranv •tic Company again submitted "For the Term of his Natural Life" at the | - Theatre Royal last evening. The audience was appreciative, and the Stirring mtuations in the drama were ably pre•en&d by: the members of the company. The company will submit "For the Term of his Natural Life" for the last time this evening. To-morrow the George Willoughby. organisation, will enter upon their: farewell Christchurch appearances with a three nights' pre- ' sentation of an entirely new form of melodrama, a mining comedy play, 'dealing with life in the mountains of Colorado, "At Cripple Creek." The vnrioiis scenes are said to be of very spectacular nature, and thrilling epii Bodes follow rapidly throughout the play. Mr Cyril Mackay and Miss Nelne Fergusson. will take the principal . idles. c

scarcely have been better chosen. Miss Jennings was happy in the selection of 'her songs, and the pianoforte selections were all of them pleasing. The audience was appreciative and enthusiastic, so that, * all things considered, there could scarcely have been a more encouraging inaugural recital, with which to open the series. Perhaps the most charming of Miss Jennings's numbers was the quaint fable of "le petit bossu," who loved and dared in tie Eue Chiffonier. With its quaint lilting refrain and happy-go-lucky motif, this suited, the singer particularly well. Almost as charming was the pastoral lay, ( f Verdujonette,'' the tale of the little, shepherdess who fell into a forest pool. This, too, has a quaint, careless air . which Miss Jennings managed to convey delightfuly. She was in excellent voice, and in the small hall was perhaps heard to more advantage than shle would be elsewhere. Bracketed with these two numbers Miss Jennings sang "Musette," a cheery sylvan lay, the programme description of which, vieux chant a danser, describes It adequately. In more sombre mood she- gave Grieg's "An einem Bache" with much feeling. As a: contrast, the next selection was ''Guten Morgen," surely the apotheosis of cheerfulness and a sunny disposition; , In this again Miss Jennings , manifested her adaptability.

Halm's "Peace" and "L'heure Exqnise,'' with Verlaine's inimitable words, were no less appreciated. Besides these, Miss Jennings gaYe "Tous. Deux, " "Quand je fus pris au Pavilion," " Standclien," "Romance," "L'Absente," "La Pluie sur les Roses," and "A Cheval sur un Baton." This last was from Moussorgsky's '' Enfantines,'' and in its childish abandon was perhaps one of the most charming interpretations of the evening. Mr Tytheridge played all of Miss Jennings's accompaniments skilfully and sympathetically. As a soloist, certainly his best performance was "La Cathedrale engloutie" (Debussy). "Minstrels," a staccato composition, "Voiles," and "En Bateau" were equally suited to his moods, and in each did himself ample justice. "Puck" (Grieg), a restless Will-o'-the-wisp fantasy, was loudly applauded, as well it deserved to be. *' Romance " and "La Pluie sur les Roses" were also most pleasing. The "Norwegian Peasant March," with its rythmic, tuneful motif, gave the player yet another theme to work upon. 's "Melodie," his last item, and the three preceding ones, "Dr Gradus ad Parnassum," '' The Little Shepherd," and the "Golliwog's Cake Walk," were all delightful.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The audience which witnessed the new programme at the Sydenham Theatre last night was a large and enthusiastic one. The star picture is a drama entitled "A Million in Jewels, " one of those attractive tales of Oriental romance and intrigue. An Indian rajah at his death bequeaths his daughter his priceless jewels, which her cousin, the villain of thfe piece, plots to obtain possession of. For. safety's sake the princess determines to leave India for America, but the wicked cousin follows in the same vessel. On board also is a young American with whom the priif* cess makes friends, and she confides her troubles to him. Foiled in his designs at sea the cousin redoubles his attempts on land, and after divers exciting adventures he contrives to get the princess and the American into his power. Success for him seems assured, but the American by a supreme effort manages to summon the police, in the fight with whom the cousin is killed. Another drama of . somewhat i similar style is "An Enemy's Aid," dealing with a tale of love and a search for gold. A very good idea is given in one of the pictures of the Wells-Carpentier battle/ in which the former was so quickly "outed" by the impetuous young Frenchman. Other pictures include the Gauinont Graphic '' The Cowboy and the Baby," '' On the Lazy Line," ' ( The Spring Rock," "Denver City," and "Across the Jena." The programme will be shown again to-night, and at a matinee to-morrow afternoon.

GLOBE PICTURES. The main feature of the new programme submitted at the Globe Theatre yesterday was a drama entitled "The Terrible Alternative." The story concerns the adventures of one Bissau Bey, who incurs the enmity of a certainsecret society, and his death is determined 011. Warning is given iii time, however, and he flees the country to Paris. There he meets a lady journalist with whom he falls in love. The lady unfortunately has a sister who joins hands with the two assassins sent after Hassan, and she sets out to aid-them iu getting rid of their enemy. Hassan meets the sister, but something tells him to be beware of her. Together they go to a lonely villa where the members of the gang are waiting to entrap their victim, but the journalist, hearing of the plot, enters the house to warn her lover of his danger. The infuriated revolutionaries are almost ready to wreak their vengeance on her, when the police arrive and take them into safe custody., "The Water Soaked Hero" is a very good comic film. An Irish constable enters a house surreptitiously and is forced to take refuge in a room immediately below the bathroom. Above the head of the house is having a bath, and during the process a pipe is burst, thereby flooding, the house and drenching the unfortunate constable. Hc~ is in an awkward dilemma for a time until a bxirglar comes crashing through a skylight and is promptly arrested. This serves as an adequate excuse for the policeman's presence in the house. There are a number of' other attractive pictures on the programme, which will be repeated to-day during the usual hours.

COiLOSSEUM. The present programme at the Colosseum drew another large audience last evening. - The star attraction was a splendidly-acted film, entitled "A Million in Jewels," and was .well received by the audience. Another picture which seemed to please was the great sporting picture, Wells-Carpentier fight. The supporting films were: —"The Cowboy and the Baby," "The Spring Lock," "On the Lazy Line," "Denver and the French .luras," and the "Gaum out Graphic."

OPERA HOUSE. The programme running this week at the Opera House has all along drawn good audiences, who, at the conclusion, depart well pleased with the quality of the entertainment provided. Of all the excellent turns provided, "The Pool Room," as presented by Fred C. Hagan amV Co. lias perhaps received the most favourable receptions, though there, are other talented artists, notably Phillips and Merritt, who demonstrate the new "Hesitation Waltz," Fernandez and May, with their novel ragtime playing, Carlton Max, ventriloquist, Knowles and Lee, vocalists, Ray Lawrence, the National Duo, child performers, Livermore and his animated doll, and last, but by no means least, Dennis Carney, who has proved liimslf such a popular comedian. A special matinee performance will be given to-morrow afternoon.

HIS MAJESTY'S. The popularity of "Caprice," the star film on tke programme now showing a t His 'a Theatre, continues

undiminished. It is really a most attractive drama in every way, and has iafforded enjoyment for a large number [of patrons every night this week. The I other pictures comprise a good selection, from which may be singled out !'' Pedro, the Dog Charmer,'' and 1 ' Winter Scenes in Stockholm" as the best, j The same set of pictures will be shown fagain this evening, and also at a matinee I to-morrow afternoon. Reserved seats may be purchased at the .Dresden.

OLYMPIA RINK. Every day sees an addition to the ranks of skaters who make the Olympia Rink their rendezvous. Everything in its appointments is of the best, while those who are as yet tyros in the pastime, may have private tuition by arrangement if they so desire. The usual four sessions will be held to-day.

ADDINGTON BAND CONCERT. A concert was held last evening in, St. Mary's Schoolroom, in aid" of the Addington District Band which is being formed.- A fair number of people were present at the gathering, which was opened by the Rev. Mr Bean. Mr Bean said that the concert was for a worthy cause, as a brass band, properly conducted, was a valuable asset in any district. Some of the-expected eontribu.r tors did not appear, and their places were filled by performers, who gave one or two extra items. This did not detract from the general enjoyment, as the programme went, off very well. A vocal quartet, composed of Messrs Millar, March, Vincent, and Cookson, was especially appreciated, and had to a,nswer to several encores. Tile same vocalists also sang individually. A member of the band gave two fine cornet solos. Mr T. Lawrence gave a piano solo, and also accompanied several of the singers. It was announced that a bazaar was to be held in King Edward Barracks at some future date, with the same object as the concert.