AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13902, 29 November 1910, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"LOVERS' LAKE." Clyde Inch, in his cuarming play, •■'LoC-ej-s , Lane.'' produced Jait maul by tue PiiauntuxDemiisum Company, at tiie Theatre Ko.v«i, bo* reprouuctU most vividly, the little events which round ofi iiie lives ol taoso rcijduiji m an Knghsli village. The petty jeatousie>«amt meannesses whicji ilounsu more luxuriamlv in small tommuunios tJuui !ii htKo iiro depicted witii much artistic skill. The plot ol tho play xs a simple story j but it appeals_ most strongly to one because oi us intense jKiturafncss and ireeduui from stage conventionality. Tho author lias been happy i» 1"> treatment ot tho story, ana has sketched with a master Land a number of st:-onuly-marked chur;K-ter«. Indeed, all tiio roles are character parts, and though more or less prominent in tho piec'«, each is iudispensabio to tho completion or the dramatic picture. Oi tin** l ; one or the most charming is that of .Siiuplicicy Johnson, admirably played by -Miss Lizettii i'arkes. Into her interpretation oi this part Miss Parkes ii.i'used that wondoii'ul naturalness and absolute freedom from anything approaching the semblance of conueeti'on with .style, -which made her I'eier Pan .so successful. The part is a peculiar combination of stronjil.yma'rked phases of character and charming chikiishncss, requiring much artistic skill in the portrayal of two siiL'h opposite churaeteristics. Miss Parke.s was fully equal to the demands o* both, with the result that her inti'riiretation was one of the most delightful creations throughout. Miss Valentine iSidncy's Miss -Mattie was a very fine character study, artistically conceived and worked out with careful

shading of effect. The great charm of Miss Sidney's interpretation—as indeed was. the case with ail the parts in the piece—was the divesting of it of any approach to artificiality. Mrs Brounh played the character of Mrs \Voodbridge with a tenderness and charm which made it stand out prominently in the dramatic picture. In the hands of, a less accomplished actress it would not Jiave done so, but Mrs Brough infused into tho part just tho touches which were requisite to inipres-s it on the audience. There* were plenty of opportunities in the character of Mary Larkin, but Miksj Wall, front lack of temperament, somewhat failed t-> avail herself of them. There was a coldness and lack of fervour in her acting which made the part miss its true position in the play. The characters of the village busybodies were; well filled by Miss Tempe l'igott. Al.vco Holroyd, and Beatrice Usher, and in their respective parts of Aunt Martha and Bridget, Misses Alico Dconvyn and Le Ansetto were excellent. Tlie eharacfcei , of Rev. Mr Singleton is a difficult one from the broad-mindedness and absolute disregard, in the goodness of his heart, of Mrs Grundy, with which the author .has invested it. Mr Plimmer, with much artistic discretion, played it with just tho right amount of repression and tjave an excellent and altogether successful impersonation. He was especially good in his scenes with Simplicity and those with Mary Larkin, and there was throughout a breezines? in his interpretation of the character, which made it most enjoyable. Air Reynolds Denniston had not a jirea* deal to do as Herbert Woodbridge, but | ho brought out in strong relief the ■ character of the man who has seen tho error of his -ways, and sets out to do right. Ho was particularly successful in tho. scene with the child in tho lastact. All the other parts were well filled, notably Mr Neville as Uncle Bill, and Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Throsby as Deacon Steele and Mr Brown respectively. The children's in the second act was a charming little bit, and Miss Parkes had to respond to a double encore for her song, "Tho Old Red School." TII3 piece -was prettily mounted,, the last seen© with tho trees in blossom, being especially good. Tonight, -which will be the- last of the seaon, "Lovers' Lane" will'be repeated.

HAYWARD-WEST PICTURES. A very large aiidienco greeted the now programme presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening with enthusiasm. Perhaps the most interesting and instructive film was that showing the naval fleet of Germany in review order. The battleships wore seen, both from tho water ana frpiu on board, with admirable clearness. The remarks beneath the item, as tot down on the programme, read "An up-to-date naval picture, puiigonfc for politicians and prophets." CortSinly the view of tho torpedo boats, numbering up to 83, was sufficient to cause thought. In tho Pathe Gasette there were views of many interesting places and events, including a fine view cf Lisbon from the sea, motor and aeroplane races, the Kaieer's visit to Norway, and the Duke of Connaught's departure from London and Portsmouth for South Africa. Another very good film showed tho occupation of Lisbon by the Republican troops, and the effects of the shells from the naval guns. The humorous pictures caused much laughter, especially "Miiggsy becomes a ilevo." Two dramatic pictures "The Law of the West" and "The Cowboy's Chivalry" were well acted, the scenery being very good indeed. The samo programni© will be presented this evening. FULLER's""piCTURES. The current programme of Fuller's Pictures was repeated last night at the Colosseum very successfully. •This evening it will he given for the last time, a change of programme being made to-morrow night instead of as has been the case hitherto, on Thursday. OPERA~HOUSE.

There was a fair attendance at, the Opera House last night to witness' the weekly change of programme of Fullers Empire Vaudeville Co. Farrell and Gaftney, novelty dancers and comedians, made their first appearance in Clnistchurch in "The Army and Navy" and in ado a distinct hit. Both possessed good voices but it was their dancing that took the hou.se by storm. Farreil possesses but one leg, but this seemed to be no handicap with him, he going through intricate and strenuous step-dancing firstly with the aid of a crutch and finally without any support at all. > His one leg dancing was certainly a distinct novelty. The dainty McCormack Sisters again appeared with success in song and dance, whilst "The Two Rosebuds" also contributed vocal and torpsiehorean items. Mr Scott Gibson was again heard to advantage) in his Scotch songs, Mr J. M. West appeared in sonic more clever hand balancing tricks, whilst tho boy comedian, Vernon Mack, sang with success "Rabbit '0," "Harrigan," and other humorous songs, and Miss Blanche Carelii ''Old Melodies" and "Dublin Bay." A feature of the evening's programme was a lengthy biograph him depicting the exploits of the notorious Kelly Gang. Miss Olive Fitzsimmons's orchestra played the musical selections of the programme which will be repeated this evening.

ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital was given in St. Luko's Church last evening by Mr Arthur Lilly, A.R.C.0., who is tho organist and choirmaster of that churuh. The object vraa to assist the organ fnnd, and as there* was a very fair attendance, it is reasonable to assume that the fund received an increment. The programme presented by Mr Lilly was n good one, and ]iis interpretations of tho different numbers obviously pleased his audience. Hβ opened with Bach's Toccatta and in D minor, which fiorid composition, b* nlayed in a finished manner. Tho three succeeding numbers v.-ere more | tuneful, and therefore more popular. "Le Carillon" (Wolsteniolme), "Spring Sons" (Hollins), and the celebrated "Fluto Concerto" (Rina) were admirably played, the last-named being par-

ticularly well managed. Tho Pastoral Symphony from "The Messiah , was restfully played. Tho other numbers wore G-mlmant's offertoir* on two Christmas themes, Wrly's "Grand Offertoire in G," Preludo in B .minor (Chopin), Dvorak's '•Huuiorcsko, alo&z-----kowski's "Serenade," and Mailly'e 'March in C." In all these Mr Lilly acquitted hirasplf very well indeed, and the recital was unquestionably ft musical treat to those who attended Jt.

VOCAL RECITAL. To-morrow evening -Mrs Ernest Firth wdl give a vocal recital in tho Durham stroc-t Methodist Church, when eho vill bt» accompanied on tho organ l>y Mr Firth. Tho programme is a most attractivo ami varied ono.