AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

"BREWSTER'S MILLIONS."

A revival of "Brewster's Millions" was given last night at the Theatre Royal, by the Williamson Dramatic Company. As on the former occasion when it was played here, Mr Thomas Kingston gave a clever interpretation oi the character ot Monty Brewster. The greater portion of the weigut ot the comedy rests on Brewster, as he pervades ail the scene's, and Mr Kingston played the part with all the breeziness of .spirit wliich it demands. .Miss Ethel Warwick hardly seemed _ ted in ti.e character of Mrs Don Do .Mil:.. The part requires a good deal oi dash and vivacity, and Miss \\ aruic.s forte is decidedly the quieter style of acting. Miss Temple was excellent at the advocate of Platonism, and infu>ed into her playing of the part plenty of life and go. Miss .\ellie Caivin was good in the somewhat thankless part of i J os_y, which, whilst important in the wording out of the plot, does not afford many opportunities. In the small part of Tnsie Clayton. Miss Maud Wingfield displayed considerable histrionic ability. The other characters in th'; piece were well filled, Mr Gregan McMahon, as .ucCioi'd, Mr Cyril .Vlackay as Archie, Air Eardley Turner as C.I. Drew, and .Mr Hedge Carey as the office boy, being especially noticeable. The yacht -cene wn-i splendidly worked, and the curtain had to be raised on it three or four t ; mes To-night, which will be the .ast of the .season, "Brewster's Millions" will be played again.

NAVAL DISPLAY

A novel demonstration was given in King Edward Barracks last night by some 200 bluejackets of H.M.S. Challenger, under the auspices of the Navy League. All maimer of entertaining items were provided by members of the ship's crew, and those present were afforded an excellent opportunity of gleaning some insight into the daily routine of Jack afloat. The outstanding feature of the display was the strenuous.manner in which the various exhibitions were carried out, indicating the splendid physical fitness of the bluejackets. The most popular attraction was drill by a squad of men, with a 12-pounder field gun. The gun was dismounted and mounted again with a dexterity that was nothing short of marvellous. The exhibition was rendered more realistic by tho firing of four shots, the reports of which were almost deafening. The three-round tug-o'-war between the seamen and stokers was entered into with a wholehearted enthusiasm both by the contestants and the public, and created great excitement. Other entertaining items were club-swinging, cutlass drill, bayonet fighting, signal exercises, box-ing,-and Swedish exercises. The men were marched from the station to the King Edward Barracks, and after the display were again entrained for Port. Various selections were played throughout the evening by the ship's band, and were greatly appreciated by tlie spectators.

AFRICAN HUNTING

The lecture given by Mr Will. G. Duncan, in the Alexandra Hall last night, entitled "A Night in the African Hunting Veldt," was well-attended, and the lecturer's remarks and stories were followed with keen interest. The numerous hunting incidents were, told with all the directness and detail of the actual sportsman; many were thrilling in character, whilst others had a humorous motive. Mr Duncan's experiences related mostly to the Northern Transvaal, Zululand, and Portugese East Africa. Referring to the big game reserve established by the Transvaal Government, the lecturer remarked that the steps taken to preserve big game came too late, as the appearance of the white man and tho substitution of civilisation for natural and savage conditions,drive big game away from the settled parts of the country. The description of how the lecturer, when a lad of fifteen or sixteen years of age, shot his first buffalo, was well The lecture, was illustrated with limelight views, depicting scenes in the hunting country to which the lecturer's narratives related, and also with pictures of the various game animals, the habits of which were interestingly described.

FULLER'S PICTURES

The change of programme at the Colosseum last evening attracted, a large audience. The pictures presented were excellent of their kind, and well illustrated the pitch of \ perfection to which moving photography has been brought. The series is particularly strong in scenic films, "Picturesque Zanzibar," "The Ascent of Mont Blanc," and "Logging in Italy," being capital. Tho last-named was industrial as well as scenic, and gave a splendid ide*'of how the logs are floated from the forest to the mill. The dramatic films were also. good. The story of Napoleon nnd the Princess Hatzfeldi was told in pleasing fashion, and th© tragedy of Othello, in condensed form, waa .effectively depicted. The humorous pictures were extremely entertaining. The same programme will be ©yen this evening. There will be matinees on Christmas afternoon and Boxing Day, at 2.30, and a performance will be given on Christmas night; *

OPERA HOUSE.

At the Opera House last evening the Empire Vaudeville Company repeated their current- programme with success. There will be a, complete change of programme this evening, and on Christmas- night there will be a grand sacied: picture-concert.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The current programme of the Pa the Pictures was repeated last night at His Majesty's Theatre very successfully. To-night the same bill will be given for the last time. To-morrow the usual change of programme will be made, and it will be given on Christmas night also. Thero will be a matinee to-mor-row afternoon.

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY

On Monday evening at the Theatre Royal the Pollard Opera Company will introduce to Christchurch playgoers the operatic extravaganza "The Belle of Cuba." One of the many features of the new meco will be a number of graceful" ballets, tarantelles, and quaint Cuban dances. There are also several specialities, notably, the up-to-date sketch in which the wireless telephone is used; "The Song of the Mosquito," with wonderful light effects, end the trio "Off to" Santiago." A new addition to thecompany, Mr A. S. McKay, an English-baritone, will be heard for the first time here. Owing to the holidays, tne plans of reserved seats will be at tbe Theatre office to-morrow, and ou Monday. To-day they will be at the Dresden. The members of the company arrived from the north' yesterday, and will enjoy a well-earned rest till Monday.

WONDERLAND.

Wonderland, at New Brighton, will be open every day during the holidays to the public, and on Monday school children from Gloucester street, Richmond. Normal, West Christchurch, Sydenham, and Waltham, will spend the day at this popular resort.

WAINONI PARK.

Wainoni Park will be open on Christmas Day, and music will be provided by Warner's Trio. On Christmas Sunday tho Lyttelton Marine Band will piny selections. The programme on Boxing Day will include a naval battle and other attractive items. In the evening there will be a fireworks dis-

-i aV and preceding it - will be the scene from tho Maori wars. There will ■_•■ a frequent tram service all day.

Y.WC.A. SINGING CLUB.

The members of the Y.W.C.A. Sing;„,r Club gave the cantata "Wild Flowers." *-n tne Oxford Terrace Baptist (Schoolroom last evening. The young ladies have been binder the tuition of Mrs Kave for some time, and the perfornipilce they gave last evening was in -\erv way creditable. The choruses were givi-n very tunefully, and the solos were capably sung. , Tlie club had the a .-_j_tance oi several outside friends, and~the.se gave items which varied and added to the attractiveness of the rro-iamtne The entertainment was in every way a success, and was much appreciated by the audience.

EXHIBITION FIREWORKS COMPANY.

Fireworks are always attractive to holiday makers, and the display to be civen at Lancaster Park on Christmas night should appeal to all lovers of tATOtechnics. Salvos of rockets and cloud bursts will be intermingled with set pieces and it is claimed that tne •ncture in fire of "The Nativity" will prove a revelation in fireworks. The Lvttclton Marine Band will be in attendance.