AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15463, 16 December 1915, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

At the Theatre Roval last the Christchurch Orchestral Society, under Mr Alfred Worsicj, prcxluced tlieir last subscription concert of the season, in the presenco of a moderate audience. The programme prepared for the event was cautiously chosen, and well within tho grasp of their members. It was headed by .Schubert's Overture to "Rosamond," a graceful movement with the irrepressible, flow of melody characteristic of Hs author, though of no particular depth of conception. AVith him to write music wa s as imperative as breathing is for the ordinary mortal. There followed Elgar's Chansons do Xuit and dc Matin, two very impressive earnest sketches worthy of a master of his craft finely orchestrated. It was there that the fir.st violins, with Mr« Hoy Twynoham as leader, distinguished themselves conspicuously _by the warmth of their pure clinging tone. But tho best performance of tbo evening must bo credited to tho interpretation of the tvro movements from Mendelssohn's Scotch Symphony. Mendelssohn employs his orchestral forces with a felicity surpavV-od by few, if any, other composers uo to his era. "With a refined sense j'or tone colour he devises new combinations of instruments, and contrasts. welded together, to a beautiful total. The Adagio, a. melody originally of no very elevated character, i: elaborated and embellished, loci up to a charming oiimax by supreme skill. In the playful •'Vivace" his genius roams in delightful themes with tho happiest result. And in these two movements the conductor's careful and sensible work -was most apparent and productive, as was stated before, of the most satisfying results, excelling above all tho other numbers of the. programme. One of the most prominent and indispensable members of tho orchestra, Mr Dan Sinclair, once more proved his virtuosity on the clarinet and tho beauty of tone in tho I'olacca from a \Veber Clarinet Concerto, splendidly played. Later on ho was joined bv Messrs A. Mutton and C. Schtui it i n aii excellent performance of a. lightly melodious Trio by Hnmm, all the three men x playing very artistically together, and accompanied with discretion by the full orchestra. As the only vocalist, Mr J. S. Bowio used hi* light tenor voico most pleasingly in those songs' that suited him best, the "Russian We "id in (he encore number. Love Mo and Leave Me.''

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "No Greater Love," the star attraction at His Majesty's Theatre, is proving a big success. Tii o artistic and powerful story from William Le Queue's novel is fascinating, and Mdlle. Rcgina. iiacJet, as the passionate and ambitious mother, presents an intense studv. Anita Stewart and Earle Williams appear to advantage in a ono-act comedy, entitled "lhc .Sort of Girl Who Cam© J rom Heaven," and the latest "Patho Gazette completes a gratifying programme. There will be a holidav matinee this afternoon, and the scries will be shown again to-night.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Two .stars ore advertised for to-dav's change of programme at the Queen's theatre. Ono is 'The Little Lurabcr- \ * '» a ,. tw< »- reol Reliance drama, actually filmed m a lumber camp fjftv miles north of San Bernardino. It's two principal characters are children Ihe company includes Paul Willis and -Mildred Harris, the juvenile plavers, Hert Hadley, Mrs Harris. Dark Cloud and many others. The other star is a two-reel Keystone special production, A Rascal s Wolfish Wav," a.nd is a burlesque on the ''crook*' storv. Some wonderful effects are presented, and the picture closes in scenes of great exrite- | ™cnt. The other nicturcs are "Whitby, Gaiimont scenic; and the latest --'Pathc Gazette." sydexha mTpictu res. A special holiday matinee will bo given this afternoon in- the Sydenham Theatre. A new and comnlete change i ot programme will be featured, in which the powerful and enthralling drama, "God's Witness," from Augusta Wilton's famous-novel, "At tho Mercv of Tiberius," takes pride of place. 'The book has been faithfullv reproduced in the picture, especially the marvellous photograph on the glass, which is taken in evidence as "God's Witness." An '■"xcellent iunnorting programme is scheduled, and includes a rollicking Keystone romedy, 'Only a Messenger Boy," featuring Ford' Sterling, Gau- | mont Granhic, and "Tunis,'' a fino t scenic. This programme will also bo shown to-night. GRAND THEATRE. j To-day there will bo a change of pro- | gramme at the Grand Theatre, when tho princioal attraction will bo tho Essanay 'drama. "Tho Rajah's Tunic," the second of the "Dominica" stories. Other pictures will include:—"A Lie That Became a Truth" (drama), "Fable of the Home Treatment and the Sure Cure" $ (comic). "Boots, Not 'Arf" (comic), "Trip to the Pvramids"' (scenic). "Salisbury's Wild Life of America'* (educational). EVERYBODY'S 'THEATRE. Everybody's Theatre was again splendidly patronised yesterday at all sessions, when tho current programme was repeated. The elaborate drama, "God's Witness." an adaptation of the famous novel "At tho Mercy of Tiberius," was a most popular feature of the programmes and the other pictures shown were also highly appreciated. Tho programme will be repeated at tho Ujiial hours to-day. GLOBE PICTURES. Good houses prevailed at the Globe Theatre yesterday, the latest episode in the "Million Dollar Mystery" proving an undoubted attraction. The programme will bo repeated to-day. METHODIST CHOIR UNION. The Methodist Choir Union will perform Handel's oratorio "The Messiah" in tho Durham street Church on Saturday next, at 8 p.m. Mrs Ernest Firth will sing "He was Desnised" and "He Shall Feed His Flock.""Miss Twose will sing "Reioice Greatlv," Miss Yealie will sing "Come Unto Him," Mr H. Blakeley will sing "Comfort Ye" and "Every Valley," Mr L. Barnes will sing '•Why do the Nations?" Mr Whittingham will play the Pastoral Svmrhonv on the organ, and Mr Ernest Firth, F.R.C.0.. will conduct tho chorus.