AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1915, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. The Grand Theatre has as its star feature for the rest of the current week a programme of well-selected items of the amusing and entertaining class. The drama which appears to attract the keenest attention is that which Is headed "Harbour Lights. ,, This is a picture dramatisation of the play by George Sims ana Henry Petltt, which aroused such enthusiasm amongst the theatre-goers of London when It was produced upon.' the stage of the Adelphl Theatre. The first item on the bill is the war news, which shows the work of the field ambulance under active service conditions, field artillery In action, Indians at Arras, and many other equally Interesting Items. The seventh part of the adventures of "Dolly of the Dailies" occupies a good part of the bill; this instalment is quite as interesting as those that have gone before, and shows in a series of very exciting incidents the adventures that Dolly goes through in order to secure a good story for her paper. The scenic se» tion of the bill supplies many good photographs taken on the frostier of Tibet. OPERA HOUSE. The big bit of the new turne at the Opera House this week is provided by the "Aerial Lesters," who, per medium of the trapeze and hanging loops, provide some particularly clever and daring gymnastics, interspersed with some very, clever comedy business that keeps the show going with a swing. A novelty introduced by them as a finale was a "topey-turvj , i;2d" performance. In which the performers, hanging ■head down from loops, played popular martial airs on brass band instruments. Walker and Bunting provided something Scotch in the way of pawky humour relating to the kilte they wore, and Scotch sougp and dances, a feature of the performance being the excellent duet elnglug of the pair. The house • was undeniably glad to see Carlton Max, the ventriloquist, back again in Auckland, and the hits, skits and gags provided by him, apparently through his impertinent doll, kept patrons in the best of humour, land they accorded him a great welcome. Matilda and Elvira, two Spanish dancers, illustrated the dashing verve and abandon displayed by the passionate maids of sunny Spain in their dancing. Very clever and graceful tight-wire dancing, by the lady was the chief feature of the turn by Eleanor and Bertie. The fresh patter of Vaude and Verne, with local hits and new German jokes, was one of the most popular turne of the evening: while iMcKenzle ami Guest, Marie QuintreU and William Sumner were cordially received in new items that went to make up a programme that should find big favour with <be public THE LTRIC. A crowded attendance testified to the popularity of the Lyric Picture Theatre last night, and the frequent applause showed that those present were well satisfied with the fine programme submitted. Chopin s 2qd Nocturne, arranged by Sarasate, was admirably played as a violin solo by Miss D. Nlcol, who -was deservedly applauded.- The first part of the programme included a comic dramn, "Wilful.Peggy". aed , "The Folly of Ann." Another amusing fllm Is "The Honeymooners , , ,, while the Gaumont Graphic, as usual, shows many Interesting scenes, Including war views The eecoud part of the programme consists of a fine drama, "The Fringe of War," In which the story opens in the house of General Marlowe, an artillery expert, who bas invented a new gun. A typical German guest is there to try and get the plan and n number of thrilling situations follow. Finally the scene is transferred to the war In Belgium, where the heroine is staying when the Germans, led by the erstwhile guest of the General, attack the house. The hero, a British captain, arrives on the scene There is a lot of fighting and smoke, but all ends happily by the death of the German and the meeting of the lovers. The film Is one .that maintains the Internet; of fore well worth seeing. GRAFTCTX. The Alhambra Theatre opened last evening under the new uame of "Grafton," by Fraser Films, Ltd. The system of a continuous chow each evening has been abandoned for the old system of commencing at 8 p.m. Additions have also been made in tin? orchestra, whicb did very good work. . The opening picture is a very beautiful coloured scenic of the Alpine heights in Switzerland. The war film is "On the Road to Calais," which was followed by a very funny comedy of the Wild West type, entitled "Why Universal Ike Left Home." The star picture Iβ the first Instalment of a serial story, "Trey o' Hearts." The plot circles round a death warning In a family feud of the vendetta type, and from the pictures showu it is quite evident there are to be vivid Illustrations of the struggles between love and hate. A most effective scene, a fine example of the art of filmmaking Is a forest fire, in which may be seeu terrified wild animals escaping from the oncoming flames. This programme will be shown to-night and to-morrow evening, after which there will be a change,-"itad" fresh interesting-films wilL.be shown. " ". KINGS THEATRE. An excellent programme was -submitted to an appreciative audience last evening at the King's Theatre. The Pathe Gazette, is especially interesting, as it includes "Italy's Sympathy with the Allies," "The Royal Corps," which has been doing such valuable work, "Heroes of Heligoland," Corporal Homes, V.C.. and a German field howitzer captured at Ypree by the French, also a view of the flooded Fens. An educational picture of great interest is that of the sugar Industry, a coloured Pathe. A drama, "The Man Who Knew," centres round the story of a great singer, who steals a valuable jewel. "The Lure of the Green Table" is an Illustration of the evils of club gambling. "Ham, the Iceman," Is an amusing farce, in which n flirting husband and virago wife create a lot of funny situations. The star fllm ■Is "The Best Man," In which the situations are very involved between a girl marrying a man whom she mistakes for her lover. Then follow some thrilling scenes. During this picture Miss Symomls played In fine style as a solo on the violin, Wieniawski's "Legeude." The whole programme was most enjoyable. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Indian," a picture adaptation of a famous American play, occupies pride of place on the new bill at the King George Theatre. The first instalment of the serial story, "The Trey of Hearts," which will be eliown In fifteen weekly parts, is now showing at the Princess Theatre. Another bill of the usual standard of excellence wae presented to patrons of the Queen's Theatre yesterday morning, The Globe Theatre has as its principal attraction until the Thursday change of bill the second series in the adventures of Kathlyn Williams. "The Daredevil Mountaineer" Is the star attraction oi the bill at the Arcadia Theatre. At the Palace Theatre a flue Charles Chaplin Keystone Is ■ appearing -with the success which generally attends 'these productions. The present bill at the Empress Theatre Is well supplied with Keystone productions supported by the usual kill. ' ARTHUR ALEXANDER. The forthcoming pianoforte recitals by Mr. Arthur Alexander, which are to be given lit the Concert Chamber ou the 29th and 31st, are creating a deal of Interest among musical folk. He is a composer of orchestral and military band music which has been regularly performed In London Although long past the student stage. It is interesting to note with what distinction he passed through that stage at the Royal Academy of Music, where he carried off a larger number of prizes and scbolarshlDS than had ever before been won at the Institution. These included the Sterndale Bennett Scholarship, the R.S.M. Club Prite Westlake Prize for Beethoven playing thp Chappell Gold Medal, the Macfarren Gold Medal, the latter being the highest award obtainable in England for pianoforte playing, and he also secured the Dove Prise, the most coveted distinction In die Academy. One of Arthur Alexander's compositions, written for an immense military band, was pla.ved no less than sixty times during the Empire Pageant at the Crystal Palace. The box plan lor the two recitals opens at WPdman and Areys' on Thursday moruinq:, nnd students will then be able to avail themselves of the coiii cessions as advertised elsewhere.

"HUMPTY DUMPTY*' PANTOMIME. A good demand for seate was made at Wildman and Arey's when the box plan, opened yesterday for the above attraction, which opens at His Majesty's Theatre next Thursday for a seven nights' season. Messrs. Stephenson and: binley's company Is almost entirely new to New Zealand, being composed of young and keen artists, who have made reputations in England. America and Australia, and put yim and energy Into their work. A matinee is to be given on Saturday next, specially reduced prices being charged for children. Special features of tbe pantomime are tbe "Grand March of the Allies," showing the various nations in their national colpurs; and tbe,clever acrobatic feats of Lennon, Hyiiinn and Lennon. There is also an abundance of patriotic and topical numbers in "Humpty Dumpty."