AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15121, 10 November 1914, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "A Royal Divorce," by the Julius Knight Company, drew another crowded house to the Theatre Eloyal last night. The well-known inilita-ry romantic drama retains most of its old popularity, and tho patrons last uight received it with every enthusiasm. "A Royal Divorce" will be played for three more nights. On Friday and Safcurdav next l< The Scarlet Pimpernel" will oe revived, with Mr Julius Knight as Sir Percy Blakoney and Miss Irene Browne as Lady Blakenev. On Monday nicht and tho two following evenings "Tho Sign of the Cross ,, will be presented, and the season will closo with three performances of "Monsieur Beaucaire." OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House, which was closed down when the war started, was reopened yesterday and a company drawn from the Fuller-Brennan circuit appeared before a crowded audience. A good all-rcund programme was presented and tho various turns met witji hearty appreciation. Vhe first part was provided by Leslie Holmes's P. and G. Company, a costume comedy troupe containing a versatile selection of artists. Mr Leslie Holmes himself was tho star performer of tho company. He is a comedian and a great deal of his work is quite novel. He proved vastly entertaining last night, and held tho boards for quite a long time. Mr Sydney Kingsley, tenor, was another of the more- prominent members of tho company to put on a successful turn. He sang tho Irish song "Mother Machree" very well indeed, and waa enthusiastically recalled. Mr Fred Deal "humorist," achieved his best success with "It's a Long Way to Tipperary/' always a pomilar item these days. Tho other members of tho company also appeared in good turns. Tho second section of the programme was devoted more to speciality items. "The Great Wostin," impersonator, appeared first na himself, a benign old gentleman, and then as many other people living and dead. The most successful of the for? nier was Mr John Fuller, senr., and of tho latter the late Mr W. E. Gladr stone. Brown and Lawson, coloured comedians, lady and gentleman, put up a. bright and lively turn, and further coloured romody came from Brown and Sorlie. Some musral comedy and other items woro given by White and Grey and an under-water turn was given by Mr Arthur Trout and his lady assistant. The programmo will bo repeated to-ninht. BARTON'S CIRCUS. Barton's circus, located at tho corner of Colombo and £t. Asaph streets, was again well patronised last night, when tno programmo presented for the first timo on Saturday evening was repeated. AH tho items woro enthusiastically re- ] ceived and tho nerformanco generally < was greatly enjoyed. Tho circus wiJJ , be opeu again to-uight. I KING'S THEATRE. The Hugard Co. appeared again at ! the King's Theatre- lu*t night before - another well-filled house. Tne various turns, notably the illusions and tho J thrilling riflo tshootiug act, were sue- < cessfully given and loudly applauded. * The company will appear again to- < night. GRAND "THEATRE. There were crowded attendances at all sessions of the Grand Theatre yesterday, when a now programmo was shown. The principal attraction was a film entitled "Tho Great European War,' , in which some of tho events of tho present struggle wcro shown on tho screen. Tho picture commences with a representation of tho means adopted for the assassination of the Crown Prince of Austria, then Austria's declaration of war. to Servia, King Peter's ( request for help* from Russia, and so on 7 to England's declaration of war with fi Germany. As regards the reprpsontaipoxt of the prominent men of the time connected with the war. the film is in c most instances of excellent quality. « Another attraction was the eer- I ial story, "Lucillo Lo*o," and her ad-» r ventures in the present series are more interesting and thrilling than in its s predecessors. "Our Ally—France," was t another <zopd picturo. showing the f great French Army at manoeuvres, and I the hau'nee of the ponderous ejego guns. There are two goad comedies j in tl>« nro^ra ,, - "'c. via.. "Josef's Flow- t cry Offer" and "Marion. Holy Terror," t tho latter convulsiifr %he audiences. I sßTrp natures will bo shown to-day 3 and to-night. QUEEN'S PICTURES. ( Some interesting war pictures are c included in the new .programme at the I Queen's Continuous Picturo Theatre, f "With tho Servian Arniy in War 1 Time" showed officers watching and c planning a battle, removing a pontoon 1 and bridge, guns in position for j firing; manning trenches, showing the • very effective cover they afford; an ( Ambulance Cart Removing Wounded to Hospital. Method of Transportation • with Bullock Teams, and the very Bough Sleeping Quarters Provided tor Soldiers. The ''Topical Budget" depicted many stirring scenes in connexion with, the mobilisation of the citizen army at, Home, and in connexion with the Belcian refugees; also the Royal Hor§e Artillery into action near " j.... The nrincinnj film is a tWee-reel oo'ne'iv called "His Phantom Friend" (Nordiski. and is well nn to the rernitntion "f this note , '! .firm. It '« frankly farce—farce of t l, a*- lisifit (■nortiv© ebarnoter that- is provn«nt.ivo of loTifriitor it fitnir'es fin +Tlf» cni-opr). j "\ (TT-'itrvn j "A in C oc +nr>" sC " ! nn'l "AtnlriiiT KVinnvps jn *'••«» CiVCfl)ni«." co* v " vla+e ''l nn eT'?» l '^' , *' Wf* v ,1 "'" 1 ! w 'iu be repeated at all sessions to-day. GLOBE PICTURES. Holiday houses prevailed at the Globe Theatre yesterday, when a new programme \vas presented. Tho star film was "Zika, v aeen' of tho Gipsies," which dealt with tho life and customs of tho old gipsies made up in drama form. The heroine and her band were suspected of stealing cattlo and one of tho party is captured and punished. Thereupon the wholo gang uefc out on a tour of revenge, while tho neighbouring farmers endeavour to capture the leader of tho gipsies. Many interesting situations are brought about, and a strong love theme is developed. The programme also contained a splendid series of the latest war pictures, including views of the Servian army in action. Supporting films were ''When the Sun \Vent Down" (drama), "Picturesque Japan," "Australian Gazette," "Understudy" Comedy), and "Versatility of Genius" (comedy). The same pictures will be shown at the usual hours to-day. "SIXTY YEARS A QUEEN." A fine set of pictures entitled "Sixty Years a Queen," depicting leaaing incidents of tho reign of Queen Victoria, was screened at His Majesty's Theatre last night. There were excellent reproductions of various events, which must have meant infinite patience in learning details on the part of the performers. Particularly striking was the Coronation of the Queen. The first Dictures showed the announcing or the tiding.? to the young Queen her accession to tho throne, and the final series revealed incidents in the South African War, and the. evening of Victoria's days. An explanatory lecture was civen by Mr Barrie Marschel. of Wollinsrton, and was greatly appreciated. Suniwrtinc pictures comprised an excellent series of incidents in connexion, with the recruiting of Kitchener's army and the Servian army in war-time. The

programme -will be repeated this evening. - THE COLOSSEUM. „ Ac excellent programme was screen- ' ed at the Colosseum last evening before a large attendance. An interesting film entitled "Tho Angel of Contention," depicting the life in a mining camp out West, was tho principal feature, and was followed with keen interest. 'An* I other dramatic snbject was an Ed.'son ; production, "The Voice of Silence/ i Thro© good comic films were also ' shown —"Laughing Gas" ("Keystone), ; "'lnnocent but Awkward" (Vitagraph), • and "Col. Heeza-Liar's Adrentures in . Atrica." An interesting travel series, • showing the "Ruins of Ancient Romo," • and tho "Gaumont Graphic," which contained a host of pictures concerning the war, made up a very entertaining programme. . SYDENHAM PICTURES. The new programme screened at the { Sydenham Theatre last night attract- j ed a largo audience. The feature picture was tho all-British masterpieco. ' "Sixty Years a Queen/- , a splendid representation of the principal events in the reign of Queen Victoria. Not only is the film interesting as a recoixl of a great and gtorious reign, but it is an illustrated history of Great Britain and of the Dominions beyond the seas "durins tho reien. The preliminary and simnortine pictures nre "Thp Knemv's Holn" (dm'"i)). "Gincrers TtoiVn" j and T/rtve" (com-«viv-i. ti 10 programme will be repeated i to-night.