AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 155, 30 June 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE OPERA HOUSE. Another crowded audience was attractei to the Opera House last night by thi I excellence of the current bill. The flvi I Manchurians, in their astonishingly cleve: acrobatic turn, receive an ovation nightly The last two nights of the Manehurinn; are announced. Alsace aud Lorraine whose artistic musical turn has contribute! largely to the popularity of the bill, wil also appear two more nights only. BRITANNIA THEATRE. A special attraction is" billed for th< matinee performance at the Britanni; Theatre to-morrow. A company of loca artists, under the leadership of Mr George Archer, will present two sketches, one en titled "The Grip of the Hun," whicl deals with the memorable sieg;c of Louvain and the other a comedy play, "What Hap ipencd to Aunty." The company has bcei rehearsing for some time, and 'bott sketches will be effectively staged. Mi Archer will be remembered as the producer of the well known Maori open "Hinemoa," which was staged at JMlc some months ago. The enter taiiimcnt will be repeated at the Britannb for three nights next week. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS At the Lyric Theatre the picture drama tteation of the story "David Harum" ha; established It.? popularity. The supportin; subjects include some very interesting wai pictures. The laughable adventures of "Fatty' and „ Mabel Normand in the big comedj production at the King's and Everybody'i Theatres will be screened for the las' time to-night. There are several othe: good pictures on the programme. Two distinctly unusual dramatic prodnc tions are included In the bill at tb< Grafton Theatre. Both the pictures, whicl go by the titles "Body and Soul" and "Hei Defiance," are remarkable alike for splendlc acting, realism and staging. The lates: "Topical Budget" contains numerous wai items. At the Arcadia Theatre the bill is headec by an exceedingly vivid emotional drami called "The Heart of a Painted Woman,' In which Olga Petrovn, the famous pictun actress, takes the name part. The stroni personality of the actress i 9 particularly adapted to this sort of picture. An irresistibly funny cartoon picture Showing the adventures or "Charlie Chaplli iv India," Li being screened at the Glob! Theatre. The programme also embraces i delightful comedy called "Queen for ai Hour" and other attractive items. The list of good things at the Klnj George Theatre contains a wcll-conceivec drama called "The Path of Happiness," ii which the well-known actresa Violei Mersercau appears. The remainder of tin programme Is varied and of a distlnctlj high standard. An opportunity of comparing two famous picture favourites. Charlie Chaplin anc George Ovey, is being given at the Grant Theatre. Both of these laughter-maker: appear in ludicrously funny pLctures. Th< rest of the programme is interesting and original. The programme at the Princess Theatre is a remarkably good one, and includes ni impressive dramatic production, called "At Enemy to Society." The. new programme which is to be screened to-morrow, wil embrace a decidedly unusual film cailec "Fruits of Desire," which is produced bj the World Film Corporation. The pictun outlines, in an intensely dramatic anc vivid manner, the way In which a mil llonaire is taught a lasting lesson. To-day and to-night are the last oppor tunities of witnessing the current pro gramme at the Queeu's Thentre, when Florence Rockwell, a very capable dramatb actress, is appearing In "Body and Soul,' n masterpiece by the World Film producers To-morrow the new bill will Introduce : Metro. sensation called "The Yellnv. Streak." The picture is said to be a par ticularly fine specimen of romantic drama and the chief parts will be teUcn by th< .popular picture players Lionel Barrymon aud Irene Howley. ORGAN RECITALS. The City Onanist will give the municlpa organ recital in the Town Hall on Saturday evening next, when he will play Gullmant': Fourth Sonata for the first time at thes: recitals. Popular works by D'Evry, ivoc cherini and Sibelius will also be Include; in the programme. In the Pitt Street Methodist Church las; night Mr. Edgar Randal, the churcl organist, gave his second 1 recital before i fair attendance. He presented a carefully arranged programme of music, mostly fron the works of notable writers for th< Instrument. Tlie solos were not too heav; in chnracter, yet good of their kind, suit ing all tastes. Mr. Itandal used hi! Instrument in masterly fashion: his facllitj on the manuals and pedals was good; anc his registering refined and tasteful. H< gave an interesting and pleasing readlni of Guilmant's "Concert Piece, op. 2i.' Neatly played were the flowing measure: of the Prelude, the sustained degree; were clearly defined, and the octave peda passages accurately footed. A nice!; subdued" and legato rendering wns give* of the Andante, whilst the Allegretto, witl its playful staccato eetting for manual anc pedal, with cantnblc theme, recelvec adequate performance. The soft comblna tions were effectively united In the read lng secured of the second variation, whlls' the syncopations and inner hannimilc; were faithfully executed. Lightness anc facility marked the reading of the thlrc variation. The changes from the dtfferen' manuals were neatly achieved in the per formance of the Adagio, and the tw< voices on the ljodals were precisely footed Great-organ and pedal were heard ti advantage In the Initial movement of thi Finale, whilst the massive chords of tin Largo were played with majesty am power, and l the intricate pedal parte o' single notes and octaves were decided!; and clearly executed. Alfred Holllns "Concert Rondo in B flat" received a skll fnl performance. The manna! change; were neatly achieved, the contrasts.of Tom were effective, and the rhythm well msried rieasingly treated was Crackers "Cs.prie< In G minor," and! the soft combination; and "two-colour scheme were notable fes tures in the tasteful reading o. Hor3man's "Curfew/ A good legato am a nice use of solo stops wao obtained li the playing of Goss-Custard's "Evcnlai Sing," while other well-rendered solo; we." MosEkowski's "Caprice," Mailley'i "Meditation," and Haydn's ''AhiJanti and Variations." Miss Olive James' pleas lng soprano waa heard to advantage in 1 .devoMonal Tendering of Allltsen's "Thi Lord Is My Light." She also sang taste fllllV In KnonW "V n ,-r,ln<. "