AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15513, 14 February 1916, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL

On Saturday night the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Co. had the distinction of playing to one of the largest audiences tliat have ever been crammed into the Theatre Royal. The building was packed in every part, even tho boxes being crowded, and many people had to be turned away. "The Dancing Mistress" went with a remarkably fine swing, and the enthusiasm with which the principals or the company were received showed how they have worked their way into the favour of C'hristchurch theatre-goers.

To-night the company will appear in a revival of tlio musical comedy success, "The Quaker CHrl," which drew very big houses on its last presentation in Christchurcli. The piece is popular on account of its catchv melodies, clever dialogue, and pretty ballets. Mr Leslie Holland will repeat his breezy representation of Tony Chute and Mr C. B. Bantoek his characterisation of Nathaniel Pym. Mr Phil. Smith will take the part of Jeremiah. Miss Minnie IjOvo is said to be a host in herself as Phoebe. Miss Ethel Cadman has scope to display her fine sopx-ano voice in the part of Prudence, and Miss Maggie Moore's Madame Blum is well spoken of. Mr Derek Hudson's splendid baritone voice should suit the musicallotted to the role of Prince Carlo. The staging and dresses will be features of the revival.

The season, which has been the most successful experienced by any company in Christchureh for a long time past, will be brought to a close to-morrow night with a revival of the popular comic opera, "Ma Mie Rosette."

EVERYBODY'S

| The two chief items in this week's programme at Everybody's Theatre aro "The XeAv Janitor," and "How "\Ve Beat the Emden."' '"The New Janitor" features the inimitable Charles Chaplin. The picture lias an abundance oi' humorous situations, and is said to be one of Chaplin's best efforts. This picture has not previously been screened in Christchurdi. The' other star picture. "How Wo Beat tho Emden," is a motion picture record of the incidents which surrounded the iinish of the notorious Gcrmau raider,

ilic Enulcn. The film was obtained by tlic special permission of the Commonwealth Minister of Defence and Navy, "with the assistance, and co-oporaition of the Australian Fleet. The result is said to bo a very fine representation of the stirring events that occurred when 11.M.A.5. Sydney set out in pursuit of the commerco raider, ran her down, and battered her to a shapeless mass of scrap-iron upon the reef.s of Cocos Island. Special camera-men ■were sent to the island and secured some remarkable films. The picture shows the great masses of steel crumpled like paper; the bridge from which tho captain and officers directed the ship—an indistinguishable wreck of iron and brass; and the battered funnels and the riddled deck. Tho scenes of havoc on every side give some idea of tho fearfully destructive effect qf modern naval gun-fire. Supporting subjects include tho latest edition of tho "Oaumont "War (iraphie." a Lubin drama, entitled "Jealousy," and a. Vitagraph comedy. "Mr Jarr and Love's Young Dream." As usual, the orchestra will play at the afternoon sessions as well as during the evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

At His Majesty's Theatre, commencing to-night, there will bo presented one of the successful productions of the Fa.mous Players' Company. The Famous Players' Company is noted for tho high quality of its films, as only big and good pictures must leave tho studio. Many of the world's talented actors and actresses arc in these studios, including two of the most talented of tho day, Mary Pickford and Marguerite Clark, the latter of whom will be seen in "The Crucible," the feature film to bo screened to-night, which shows the testing of a young woman in the crucible of life in a big city. A good supporting programme, including "Their Night Out," a comedy in which Mr and Mrs Sydney Drew appear, the latest "Gazette," and a series of John Bull cartoons has been selected.

GRAND THEATRE

At the Grand Theatro to-day thero will be presented a new programme of a varied and interesting character, containing two "star" attractions. Charles Chaplin will be seen in one of his most successful comedies, entitled "A Woman," which had such a great run hero a few weeks ago. The iilm is 2000 fcefc long. Chaplin has given mar.v excellent impersonations, and his part as "A Woman" is one of tho best. The other star will be a very exciting drama by the Essanay Company, calicd "The Clutch of Circumstance." Supporting subjects will includo another drama entitled "A Bag of Gold," a scenic, "L/akc Louise," which is described as the "Pearl of the Canadian Rockies," and the latest number of tho popular "Warwick Chronicle."

QUEEN'S THEATRE

To-day's programme, to be shown at the Queen's Theatre, has for its principal film "Love's Own Way" (Lubin), a threc-act drama showing* in an interesting and realistic manner some of the intrigues which are allowed to interfere with legislation in some of the States of America. A. largo and capable cast of characters, amongst whom are John Ince, Marv Charleson, Clarence Kliner, and Josephine Langworth, fill the various parts. The other pictures are:— "Tillie, the Terrible Typist" (Thanhouser comedy), "Windhoek" (South African scenic), and the latest "Topical Budget."

SYDENHAM PICTURES,

A complete change of programme will be screened to-night at the Sydenham Iheatre, when one of the big productions of tiie Famous Players' Co. will bo presented. Their 'latest film. The Crucible," is said to be stirring and emotional. The leading part is played by Clark, whoso fine work in the Players' production is well-known. Tlio programme includes: "The Pathe Gazette." "Their Xight Out" (comedy), and "John Bull's Sketch Book" (cartoon).

GLOBE THEATRE,

At the Globe Theatre to-day the final episodes of "The Million' Dollar Mystery" will commence. The episodes are entitled. "The Waterloo of the Conspirators," and "The Mystery Solved," and they form one long'melodrania, in whicr, scene after scene of excitement and hairbreadth escapes are introduced. The following are supporting pictures: "The Pearl of the Baltic" (Vita graph scc-uc). "The Spirit of Christmas" (\ itagranh com-edy-drama), and "The Australian Gazette ' (latest topical).

MR CLEMENT L. "\\ RAGGE,

Mr Clement L. AYragge. the! wellknown astronomer, meteorologist, and traveller, will give the first of his ot "science" entertainments at the Choral Hall to-morrow evening. The subject is entiteld: "The Jvternity of _ the Universe and the War. During the season several science .subjeoth will be dealt with, each of which will be illustrated by coloured lantern slides—which nip described to the audicnce in a chaity. conversational manner. The bos plan for the season is at The .Bristol.