AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15487, 14 January 1916, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

MURIEL STARR'S FAREWELL. To-night, at tbo Theatre Royal, "Bought and Paid For/' which had had

a very successful run in Christchureh, will bo played by -the Muriel .Starr Company for the last time. ' NOBODY'S WIDOW."' To-morrow evening "Nobody's Widow" will mark the second period of Miss Starr's season. It.is described as an up-to-date comedy, more nearly on iho lines of writers like Pinero' than anything elso that has recently emanated from New York, and has recently been most sudcessfully received in Melbourne and Sydney. Miss Starr will appear as Roxana Clayton, tbo bright aud independent American girl, Mr Chas. Milhvard, as the Thiko of Moreland, alias Mr Clayton, and Miss Nellie Bramley will play Roxana's greatest friend, Betty Jackson. The pieco will be played for three nights. WIRTH'S CIRCUS. The Christchureh season of "Wirth's Circus at the Colosseum is drawing to a close, only two more evening performances and the farewell matineo to-mor-row remaining. The show has niado a big success, the l>uildin<x being crowded at each performance. Captain Frank Huling's troupe of performing seals have, of course, been the star item of the programmes, and the Royal Wirth Family and Miss May Martin Wirth have also made a big hit. Another turn that has come in for a great deal of attention is that of the Loretta Twins, whose thrilling tricks on the parallel bars are performed with a smartness and neatness that maEe the number a treat to watch. -In the air the Ernestonians and Novikoffs show great daring and agility. nnd their act is invariably loudly applauded.

GRAND THEATRE. There were large attendances at the Grand Theatre yesterday, when a new programme was screened. - "A Daughter of the Nile" was the principal picture, and proved a great success. Produced by the Universal Company, the staging and photography left little to be desired. The scenes are laid in Egypt, and-were decidedly picturesque, while the mounting of the play was on a lavish scale. The picture-presents a tale of Eastern lifo in an artistic fashion, and it utilises to the fullest extent tho various Oriental settings associated with the Land of the Pharaohs. Tho plot is most interesting, and shows how the wiles of a fascinating woman of the East almost destroys tho career of a risirs officer in the diplomatic service. How he is saved from disgrace and dishonour by the unselfish love of tho adventuress, and the tragic end of the latter, is ..graphically shown. A picturesque film, entitled "Von Tirpitz's Hiding Place," showed sorao excellent of tho Kiel Canal, German warships, submarines, Zeppelins, pleasure yachts, etc. An interesting topical gazette showed in pictorial form events in England and tho Continent. "A Miniature Circe" was a novel item much appreciated by patrons. "The Fable of tho Tip and the Treasure" was nnothcr of the inimitable George Ade satirical comedies. Afiiilo "Dreamy Dud iStees Charlie Chaplin" showed tho famous comedian in some of -his characteristic Tho fifth set of "Salisbury's Wild Life" was shown "gain, and met -with general approval. The same .pictures -will bo shown again to-day and to-night.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Under the Fiddler's Elm" (Lubin), shown at tho Queen's Theatro yesterday, is a two-reel photo-play with a plot quite out of the ordinary routine. Martin Fletcher refuses to grant permission to his daughter, Rosalie, to maiTy Jim Chadwick, his secretary, until Jim "makes good." Jim"writes to Rosalie that ho will soon have 25,000 dollars. Fletcher receives a "black hand" letter demanding that 25,000 dollars bo placed on tho rock jinder the Fiddlers' Elm, under threat of tho destruction of his new skip "Flora." Meanwhile, Beldon returns from Africa with a strango box, whicft ho keeps near tho rock. A fako packago is placed on .the rock, and this is stolen mysteriously. The "Flora" is wrecked, and Fletcher receives another threat, demanding 25,000 dollars, or his lifo will bo taken that night. .Jim roccives 25,000 dollars "from the Government as tho purchase of a formula for a high explosive. Ho is arrested for blackmailing, hut through tho cleverness of his fiancee ho is released, as she proves that Beldon, with tho aid of a highly-trained snake, was the culprit. The other star, "Max is Lovesick," a two-reel comedy featuring Max Linder, is very good, as apart from tho plot the bulk of the film consists of views of the beautiful scenery in and about Monto Carlo, coupled with trips in a motorboat and a hydroplane. "Corsica" (Eclair) is an interesting scenic, and tho latest Patlie Gazette comnlotes a good all-round programme. Tho same nictures will bo shown at all sessions to-day.

< SYDENHAM PICTURES. ♦An excellent house greeted the new programme at the Sydenham Theatro last evening, when Harold MeGrath's masterpiece, "The Lure of the Mask," was screened for the first time. The story was splendidly produced, and not with the approval of patrons. A fine picture was that of tho "Armies of Bulgaria," also tho view in tho "Gaumont Gazette," showing tho Memorial Service for Nurse Cavell. Two humorous comedies were also included. The programme -will be repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. * Another largo crowd of patrons assembled at His Majesty's Theatro last night to witness the fascinating picture story, "Tho Carpet from Bagdad," and the other films on tho current programme. Tho programme will be repeated this ovening.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tho present week's programme at Everybody's Theatro continues to enjoy a popularity. The various sessions yesterday were all well attended, especially in the evening, when the theatre .was crowded. Tho same films will bo screened to-day.' GLOBE THEATRE. "Drawn into the Quicksands," being the latest episode in tho "Million Dollar Mystery" serial, again attracted many patrons at tho Globe Theatro yesterday. The current programme will bo repeated at the usual hours to-day.