THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 272, 21 December 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The Christehurch Orchestral Society did a very fortunate thing when it gave its first Sunday-evening concert a few -weeks ago. It discovered that the publie wanted Sunday-evening orchestral concerts, and after that it was only a question of getting permission to allow the supply to meet the demand. The City Council was approached, and terms agreed upon, and last night, in the Colosseum, an overflowing audience listened to the " Tschaikowsky-night" prograrhme. The council's stipulation that the doors should not be open until ten minutes past eight wants revision. It failed in its ostensible object, and caused a great deal of inconvenience. A long queue had been formed before the doors were opened, and when the minute for opening arrived, there was a rush and scramble. The concert itself was eminently successful. The "Reverie," for strings, Made a delightful opening, and "The Nutcracker Suite" introduced the audience to some charming and quaint orchestral effects and deviees. The "1813 Overture" was given, with the assistance of the Woolston Band and the High School Cadet drummers. There ■were a few minor defects, possibly due to the heat of the building affecting the tuning of the instruments, but the ■whole performance was inspiring. The vocal soloist of the evening was Madame Gower Burns, who sang the florid "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark," -with flute obligato by Mr Ernest Jamieson. The composition is one which suits the singer, and she managed ,i* s graceful trills and runs in a most effective and-artistic manner. Later, she sang the soprano aria from Debussy's "Prodigal Son," and again scored an emphatic success. The instrumental soloist was Miss Lalla Hemus ('celloist), "who played Schumann's "Traumurei" (Dreaming), and gave a very tasteful and artistic interpretation of this welllaiown air. Mr W. Handel Thorley conducted the orchestral items, and also played the accompaniments. BELGIAN FUND CONCERTS. Two very successful .-concerts were given in the West End Hall on Saturday, in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, hy the pupils of Miss Lucy Cowan. In the afternoon-the programme was contributed to by the juvenile pupils, of ■which the principal feature was a patriotic eulogy, "The Song of the Cities" (Kipling). The towns of the Empire mentioned in the poem were represented, and the lines devoted to each recited in turn. A Dickens item "was also well received. In the evening a number of patriotic poems, old and new, were recited. Miss Mabelle Williams recited "The Absent-minded Beggar"; Gwen Chapman, "Help the Belgians" (which resulted in the collection of a considerable sum); Miss Muriel Brewins, "A Scrap of Paper*'; Miss Cowan, "The Reply to the German Toast" and "Bill Boggits. ' y Songs were contributed by Messrs J. Cocks and T. Charters, and Miss Gwen Chapman.* Miss Dorothea Peachey played the accompaniments.

GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme was presented finally on Saturday evening, and to-day a new series is being shown with much success. Of these pictures "The Forest Dwellers" is the star attraction, a Cines production some 2500 ft in length. Supporting numbers comprise "The Canine Hero" (drama), "The Australian Gazette" (topical), "In Dauphine" (scenic), "The Schemers" and "Taming Terrible Ted" (comedies), "Bully Boy" (war cartoon), and a war special. The series will be presented again this evening and throughout to-morrow, COLOSSEUM. The outgoing programme attracted large attendances at the Colosseum on Saturday afternoon and evening. A complete new list of film subjects will be presented to-night, the feature of which is a Nordisk drama entitled '' The Woman with the Red Hair." It is a detective drama, and is reported to have plenty of snap and rapidity of movement. The supporting pictures are "Bully Boy," a cartoon dealing with the present war, and especially the Kaiser; the latest "Topical Budget," with the very latest war news; "Visit to Spain and Gulf of Rosa," scenic; "A Dog's Good Deed," drama; "Mr Bunny in Disguise," comedy; and another of those irresistible Keystone farces entitled "Those Country Kids," in which the fat man and Mabel Normand sustain leading parts. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night's chief attraction at His Majesty's Theatre will be what should prove a very welcome re-appearance on | the screen of the famous film actress, Mary Pickford, in her most recent dramatic success, '' Tess of the Storm Country." It is stated to be the most original drama that this gifted young actress has yet appeared in, and patrons may expect to see a work of quite exceptional merit. The Press of England, America, and Australia have spoken in favour of "Tess of the Storm Country '' wtih no uncertain sound, and it is universally aecorded pride of place as the finest production yet put out by the famous Players Co. The supporting films shown in the first half of the programme comprise '' Gaumont War Graphic" and a special war topical, "Scenes In and Around ,the Belgian Capital," showing the post office at Brussels, the rendezvous of" the remaining populace, a few French cannons at Maubeuge being very carefully guarded, arrival of the Bavarian soldiers in Brussels, at the station of Schaerbeck, some types of the Bavarian army, showing that apparently no one is too old for the fighting, line, German siege guns in position commanding Brussels in readiness to cover their retreat, and the arrival of a trainload of wounded from the front. An extra feature Avill include "Beauty" (comedy) and "A Midsummer Love Tangle," which are productive of hearty laughter and a full measure of enjoyment. SYDENHAM PICTURES. In the new programme to be shown at the Sydenham Theatre this evening the star attraction is ' • Tess of the Storm Country." With Miss Mary Pickford in the leading role, the study eannot be other than a great success. Supporting numbers will comprise "The Pafche Gazette" (topical), "A Midsummer Love Tangle" (comedy), and

'' Scenes In and Around the Belgian Capital" (war topical).

FLORENCE YOUNG COMPANY. On Saturday next at the Opera House, Messrs Stephenson and Linley will introduce to Christchureh . theatregoers the latest and most successful musical play of modern times, "The Climax.'' The company is headed by the famous operatic singer, Miss Florence Young, so well and favourably known in connection with the J. C. Williamson companies for many years

past. Miss Young will be supported by Messrs Eeginald Roberts, Claude Bantock, and company, who have been successfully playing "The Climax" in Australia for some considerable time. The "Daily Telegraph," referring to the Sydney season, says:—''A clever and artistic. play, skilfully constructed and endowed with that quality so frequently elusive which is described as 'heart interest.' " "The Climax" is described as having a natural unrestrained vein of sentiment running through the three acts, which is calculated to grip an audience effectively, and through the action of the play Miss Young renders various musical numbers. The season at the Opera House is limited, and seats may be secured for any evening at the Dresden. Day sales at Toy Cave.