AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14758, 30 August 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE RED DANDIES." Another new programme put on by the Dandies at the Theatre Royal last night served to , demonstrate further the extensive repertoire of tho company. The items ware all given with a decided finish and freshness, and were thoroughly enjoyed. Mr Claude Dampier, the comedian, again roused the house to unrestrained laughter with a quartet of new mimbers, "Plantagonet." "Bertie in Love,". "PJink, Plunk, and "The Poet." The lastnamed was a remarkable item, in that it involved the recital of some of the most terrifying "poetry" that ever as- j sailed human ears. Mr Wood, tho basso, sang "Go to Sea,' , also the "Henry the Eighth" song, the pretty refrain of which was given out by the chorus unaccompanied. Miss Irene Vere, soubrette, gained several encores for her bright and breezy rendering of "Everybody's Doing It Now," and she also gave "The Mysterious Rag,"*and a march song, "When the Lady Leads the Band." Two numbers by Miss Ward, contralto. "Out on tho Itocks" and "I Wonder "if Ever," proved most enjoyable, and Miss Lane, soprano, was also successful in "Good-Bye" and "Magic Month of May." Mr "Peacock and Mr Wood contributed two entertaining duets, "Twins," tho fraternal duet from "Tho French Maid,'' and "Two Friends," also a good number. The other items were well given, and found a ready appreciation. To-night the programme will bo repeated. QUEEN S THEATRE. Large audiences wore the rulo at the Queen's Theatre yesterday, when tho new programme met with a good reception. "Tho Marble Heart" is tho ,principal drama, a big film that is greatly in advance of anything tho Thannhouser Company have yet produced. The story is that of a young sculptor, who falls in lovo with a beautiful girl. Tho statue he creates of her is his masterpiece. In his dreams he sees himself a struggling sculptor in tho days of Diogenes. He refuses to give his patron tho statuo his genius has evoked, and tho great philosopher is called in to arbitrate. Diogenes asks that the statuo. should choose between tho lovo that the sculptor offers, and tho gold that the patrician promises. Tho statuo disdains love, and bows its head when tho rich man offers his hand. When he wakes, tho sculptor finds that his dreams como true. 'J , ho girl he loves" chooses tho millionaire, and the artist in his griof smashes the statue to atoms. A young and beautiful orphan girl, , who has always been in lovo with tho sculptor, figures in the story, which contains many thrillingly dramatic scenes. Tho conclusion shows a repentance that is too late. Tho girl returns to her lover, and finds tho broken.statue and a sculptor whoso heart has broken with his shattered ideals. "Manila Rope-making," "The Looking-glass Man." ,5 J n Diplomatic Circles," ''HattiVs New Hat," and . 'Bloomer Obliged to Box," were other films screened. To-day tho same bill will be given, and for tho children's matinee two sprcial films will be included—"Legend of st. Michael's Mount." aud "Adventures of Dick lurpin." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. On Monday evening ev-ecial interest will attach to the screening at His Majesty s Theatro of tho picture "With ot t to tho Pole, , ' inasmuch as it is tho official film taken by the artist accompanying tho ill-fated Scott Expedition, Mr H. G. Ponting, F.R.0..5. ■Some of tho scenes presented are these showing the Terra Nova in a big storm at eea; passing an iceberg 280 feet high; tho Term Nova crashing its way through tho thick ice; hunting seals on tho ice pack; tho dog team at work; Captain Scott and Dr. Wilson travelling by dog team; comical penguins, love-making, fighting, and raising their chicks; gulls stealing penguin eggs; eruption of Mount Erebus; a football game on tho ice over 250 fathoms of water, explorers falling into cracks in the ice; pitching camp for the night; cooking aud serving-meals in the tent; Lieutenant Oates, Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, Lieutenant Bowers, and PettyOfficer Evans wriggling into sleepinghags in 90 degrees of frost. Tho box plans for flic season are .at the Dresden. SYDENHAM~PICTURES. There was a numerous patronage of tho current programme at tho Sydenham Pictures last night. The list commences with the screening of the U.S.S. new ferry boat Wahine, and follows on with Ellalino 'Terries and Seymour Hicks in their vaudeville dance. Tho star item is a Vitagraph production entitled, "Alixe, or tho Test of Friendship." Feminine minds aro entertained by "Paris Fashions," and "Motor Racing in the Isle of Man" is a most interesting item. The "GaYimont Graphic" brings illustrated world's news. An industrial item of educational interest is the "Oil Industry." Two dramatic pictures aro "The School Principal" and "The Golden Wedding." Risible faculties are aroused by "The Ambitious Butler" and "Tho Express C.0.D." To-night is the final screening of this programme. OPERA- HOUSE. A comic «inging competition held pride of place at tho Opera House last night. One or two of the performers were fair, more were indifferent, and the majority bad. Altogether twelve competitors faced the audience. Some sang, others merely attempted to sing. The audience judged the competition by the Amount of applause they accorded each competitor, and after the last entrant had made his final bow, Mr Evans, who sang "Jiddle on your Fiddle," was awarded tho first prize. The second prize went to Mr Armstrong, who gave "My Hannah Lady," and the third prize to Mr Dobb, who was responsible for "Toodle Taddy T.A." In addition to the comic singing competition the ordinary programme was also submitted, and this will be repeated to-night. FULLER'S PICTURES. Tho, current programme of Fuller's Pictures was repeated at the Colosseum last night before 'another large attendI ance of patrons. The same pictures will be %bown this afternoon and tonight. CHORAL HALL. The annual concert of the Christchurch Estudiantina Band and Banjo Band will take i>lace to-night under the direction of Mr Louis n . Bloy. Tho programme is an attractive one. Mrs Daisy L. Tyler, A.R.C.M., Miss Vera Hannn. Mr Leonard Barnes, and Mr E. Armstrong will assist. GRAND THEATRE. The now programme at the Grand Theatre attracted -large crowds of spectators afc all sessions yesterday. Today the pictures will be shown continuously from noon till 11 p.m. s ' GLOBE PICTURES. The Globe Picture Theatre was thronged with patrons yesterday, and tho new pictures were much enjoyed. The same films will be screened continuously to-day from noon till 10.30 p.m. OLYMPIA RINK! The Olympia Rink wae open at the usual hours yesterday, and farge> num» bers of skatera were present. To-day tho rink will be open from 10 to 12, 2.30 to 5, and 7.30 to 10 p.m. The band will play'both afternoon and evening. THE JULIUS KNIGHT SEASON. It is announced this morning by the J. C. Williamson management, that arrangements have be?n completed for the return to Christchurch of that established favonrite, Mr Julius Knight, who will make his reappearance on Ttiesdny evening, September 9th, at the Theatre , Koval. Mr.Knigiit will be supported

by Miss Irene Brown and "a company ot socially selected artists. The openinf production of the season is to be the remarkably successful play, ■ ."Milestones," which has recently been maning, records in England, America, ami Australia. The authors of the new play. Messrs Arnold Bennett and Inward Knoblauch, have succeeded i" living theatregoers an entirely noveland attractive story, tho period covering three generations of one family, in 1860, 1885. and 1912, and illustrating the altered views which man undergoes in his* transit from youth to ago. In addition to "Milestones," two other plays. "Bella Donna" arid "Man and Superman," also for the first time in , New Zealand, will bo presented during the short season. The box plan fur the first performances will be opened at Milner and Thompson's on Friday nior:iiug next. VOCAL AND IVSTRUMENTAL RECITAL.* At tho Theatre Royal on Monday, September Bth, the pupils of Mrs Arthur Mend and Mr Ernest Empson, L.R.A.M., will give a vocal and instrumental recital, tho entire net proceeds of which will l> u given to Nazareth House. By kind permission of Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., the Bridal Chorus from "Madam Butterfly" is to bo given, the solo being taken by Mrs Mead and the chorus by her pupils. Instrumental items include pianoforte quartets, duets, and solos, and Messrs L. Bonniugton, Verr Buchanan, and E. E-mpson will also assist. Apart from the worthy object for which the recital is being promoted, the noble work of tho Sisters of Nazareth appealing to all classes of tho community, patrons ar<> promised a musical treat. The box plan opens at the Dresden on Monday next. • MR DENSEM'S CONCERT. At tho King's Theatre on Saturday next, Mr W. Densem's pupils will prosent a varied programme of vocal solos and elocutionary items. Tho performers will include a number of prizewinners at the recent competitions, and Miss Alice Saunder.s, who won tho. New Zealand recitation championship at Invercargill, will also appear. Herr R. C. Zimmermaun, director of the Colosseum orchestra, will piny a violtn solo, and n comedietta and Shakesperean scenes will bo presented. The box plan is at Messrs Milner and Thompson's, and day sale tickets may bo obtained from Mr "\V. A. East's book shop in Armagh street. MR SYDNEY WILLIAMSON. Mr Sidney Williamson, D.R.C.M.L., is announced to give his second song recital this season on Thursday, September 11th, at the Choral Hall. ORPHEUS SOCIETY. Tho seventeenth subscription concert of tho Christehilrch Orpheus Society will bo given on Tuesday next at tho Choral Hall. Tho programmo will comprise vocal solos, choruses, glees, and part-songs. Mr J.. T. Macleodsmith will be conductor, and Miss Nora Maeleodsndth pianist.