AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14857, 24 December 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

JOHN McCORMACK. The celebrated tenor, Mr John McCormack, and his concert party, will arrive by the ferry steamer this mornin- in readiness tor the* first concert of°the season, which will he given in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. Very heavy Looking has taken place, and* everything points to 3 very '"*> cessful -Opening. Mr McCcrmack has ■-ele'-ted as his numbers tor to-morrow ni-rht: "The Poet's Song" from La Boheme, landon Ronald's "Down in tho Forest" J'ai pleunS en reve (Hue); "'Mother O* Mine" (Tours), and other specially selected numbers. Miss May Huxlcv who is paying her first visit to the Dominion, will sing Caro Nome" from "Rigoletto" Mozart s "I>eh vieni non Tarda r" and ' Ouvre tes veux bleus" (Massenet) Tho violinist, Mr Donald Mcßeath will play "Ballade and Polonaise" (\ leuxtemps), Schumann's "Triiumeroi" and La Precieuse (Couporin-Kreisler), and with Mr Vincent O'Brien "Allegro Resoluto" (Schutt), Mr Vincent O'Brien will act as accompanist. Iho box-plan will be at the Dresden t<>-day, and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at the Toy Cave Sweet Emporium, Colombo street, where day sales may also be obtained. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tho new programme at the Queen s Theatre yesterday attracted large crowds of patrons at all sessions. Ihe nrincipal film was a fire drama, ihe Medal of Honour," based on a love story. Dick Wright, captain, and Seth Bonner, lieutenant, of a city firo company, are in love with Grace Rider. She accepts the attentions of both without showing preference. The two men resolve that Grace shall make her choice. After trying to avoid the issue she takes the hand of Seth. Later m the day firo is discovered in Grace's room. The girl rushes up to save a box of jewellery, and is overcome. Seth goes into tho house, but loses his nerve and collapses at tho foot of the stairs. As the smoke and flames fill the room Grace swoons. Dick rushes through the flames to the rescue. Bringing the girl downstairs, Seth begs that he may receivo her and carry her out of the door. Dick, not wishing to disgrace him, places her in Seth's arms, and he is hailed tho hero. Seth is awarded tho medal for bravery, but Casey, a fireman, had seen the incident, and tearing tho medal from Seth's breast, demands that it shall'tie placed on the captain. Seth is branded as a coward, and there is the beginning of a romance between Dick and Grace. "The Breath of Scandal" was another good drama, based on tho human failing of granting a ready acceptance to ill report. "The Pickpocket" was a splendid comedy, in which John Bunny figured in the chief role. Other successful films were "The Last Voyage of tho Sansmitts" (drama), "Lizards and Frogs" (Nature study), "Spring-heeled Jack" (comic), and the latest tooiral budget. To-day the samo films will be screened, and to-morrow special programmes will be presented afternoon and evening. OPERA HOUSE. Thero was a large audience at tho Opera House last night, and the programme was thoroughly enjoyed. Hubaniks Grand Opera Company and the remainder of the artists were enthusiastically received. To-night tho programme will bo repeated. To-mor-row (Christmas Night)'a grand pictorial Tocai, and instrumental concert will bo given when a special performance will be presented by the Hubanik Opera Company; and Miss Geraldine Moreton and Miss Eileen Capel will also appear. The dramas will include ••Memories," a fine Christmas subject. Lillian's Christmas Day," "Tho Sacking of Rome" (a fine historical drama; "The Power of a Hymn" (dramatic); and "Through Darkened Vales," another Christinas subject. The box-plan is at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. HIS MAJESTY'S THF ' ""-**■".. ' The new programme was od at His Majesty's Theatre last 1... .it before a crowded house. To-night the same' films will bo screened. A special programme suited to the season will be screened on Christmas Night. The list includes:—"Miracles in the Life of Christ," "Judgment of the Mighty Deep," "The Golden Supper," "Deliverance," "Mining in Rhodesia," 'Scenes in Malay and Ceylon," "Swans," and "Salzburg." On Boxing Day a holiday programme will be submitted, which will include a very fine historical production, "The Fall of Constantinople." .GRAND THEATRE. The' "star" picture, "Sheridan's Rtde," a thrilling incident of the American Civil War. is drawing large houses at the Grand Theatre. The supporting subjects are "The Silence of Richard Wilton" (a very fine Hepworth), "The Detective's Trap," "The Turning Point," "The Girl in the Next Room, "Capturing a Fly," and "Rocky Mountains" (scenic). The programme will be repeated to-day continuously from 12 noon to 11 p.m. Tomorrow (Christmas Day) special pictures will be screened at 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. GLOBE PICTURES. The Globe Picture Theatre was well patronised yesterday. The programme will be repeated to-day. To-morrow a special Christmas programme will be presented, which will include "A Trap for Santa Claus," "The "Mother's Box," "A Son's Forgiveness," "An Unfortunate Kindness," "Beauty Spots in British " • "Island of Makin." and "Herring Fishing." On Boxing Night the programme will consist of "The Snow Maiden," "Girl Across the Way," "True Heart in a Savage Breast," "One Best Bet," "Bessie's Dream." "Rio de Janeiro," and "Gaumont Graphic .175." SYDENHAM PICTURES. Last night the Sydenham Theatre was well filled. The spectacular drama, 'The Fall of Constantinople," and the other pictures were much appreciated. The same films will be repeated tonight for the last time. On Christmas Night a special programme of suitable pictures will bo shown, commencing at eight o'clock. There will be a holiday matinee on Boxing Day, when the new programme including. "The Curse of the Golden Land" will be shown for the first time. FULLER'S PICTURES. 'The Curse of the Golden Land" and associated numbers attracted an appreciative audience last evening. A feature of the entertainment is the excellent music supplied by the orchestra The programme will be presented again to-night. On Christmas evening a special list of pictures will be screened. There will be a holiday matinee on Boil ing Day. ' CLUB SWINGING. An event which is arousing considerable interest m sporting circles i_ Charles Buckett's attemnt upon the worlds fancy club-swi£ging record Tho present record stards to the credit Cr Lieutenant-Colonel Deane, -R A M.C., of Aldershot, Ergland, the tiire being 2li ] lour 3 fiuckott, of Christchurch, will commence an attempt to improve upon this time at 5 p.m. on New Year's eve, at the Alexandra Hall, Manchester street. "The Merry Madcaps" will support' hiir. "THE MERRY MADCAPS " "The Merry Madcaps, ' assisted by extra talent, will give a concert upon the Pier at New Brighton' to-morrow at 8 p.m. A complete change of programme will be presented on Boxing Day and on Saturday. WAINONI PARK. A popular programme of amusements will be provided at Wainoni Park on

Boxing Day. During tho afternoon there will be a bclloon ascent and parachute descent by Captain Jonassen, and there .will also be free performances of the lady wire-walkers and trick dogs and monkeys. A complete working model of a Zeppelin airship will be ou exhibition, and the Zoo and -Aquarium will be open to the public. Tiie fireworks programme for tne evi-ning will include many mechanical set pieces, and picture programme and items by the Wallam;* troupe will be given in tho arena before the commencement of the display. FETE. Those who are in search of a day in the country on Boxing Day will nnd many attractions at the Glentunnel Domain Fete. A splendid programme ha*; been drawn up, ard iherc will be plo'ity of amusements for young and old. The evening train will leave White-cliffs at 5.55 p.m. WOOLSTON BAND CARNIVAL. The King's Theatre was again crowded last night, when tho v*. oolston Band Carnival wa 8 continued. The elaborate and entertaining programme of songs and dances proved most enjoyable, and rapid business was dono at the various stalls.