AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15669, 6 June 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PAUL DUFAULT. Paul Dufault, who has been delighting very large audiences ever since the opening of his New Zealand tour on Easter Monday, will give two farewell concerts at the Theatre Royal to-mor-row night and on Thursday. The news that Christchurch music-lovers are to hear this delightful singer again has been universally welcomed. The Dufault programmes are given largely in English, but. whenever a French song is given the translation is always given on the printed programme. Although a French-Canadian, Paul Dufault is a strong advocate of English for English-speaking peoyle. Certainly if singing in English always meant the wonderful diction of Paul Dufault, then no battle need be fought for song in the vernacular. A noticeable characteristic of the Dufault programmes is the simplicitv of his selections. vhich every member of the audience understand and appreciate. Mr Dufanlt will be assisted here by M'ss Pauline Bindley, soprano; Miss Florence Scanini. violinist: and Harold Whittle. pianist. The box plan is nt. The Bristol, and day sales at the Toy Cave. OPERA HOUSE. The change, of programme at the j Opera House last evening was welcomed I l>v a crowded house. The first part of j the programme was provided by Victor i Prince's Revusical Comedy Company, | who staged an entirely new production entitled the "The Harem Scarum Girls.'' Victor Prince, Charles Zoli, | and. Lilian Co!eus o were responsible ior most of the humour ill the piece, while j Kuby ICfidaiie was very good in her part-. Jessie Howard and I/ittle Stella, ' who proved to iv such f&vourites last week, put on a new turn, which was quite the hit <»1 the evening. Tho former's singing and Stella's acrobatic offering proved most acceptable. E&telle Wardettc and company staged an original playlet, "A Honeymoon in the G'atskills.'' which was a novelty, and | was full of fun from start to finish. M. Poiucare's whistling and bird and animal imitations were exceptionally well given and well received. Eddie Burns, comedian and dancer, reappeared in a new song :ind -danco turn, while Shnrratt and hang's new sketch brought the entertainment to a conclusion. The orchestra, under Miss Phyllis Harris, supplied music which added greatly to the success of the evening. The same bill will be repeated to-night. GRAND THEATRE. '"Mr .Madonna," featuring the famous Polish actress, Mme. Olga Petrova, proved a big attraction at the Grand Theatre yesterday, all sessions being crowded. A pleasing feature which contributed a good deal to the success of the picture was the singing of Miss Teasdale in Tosti'.s "Good-bye," aud the appropriate use of a church organ greatly enhanced the popularity of the lilin. The usual excellent, staging effects by the "Metro" Company were ever present, and from the beginning of the picture-I<> the final scene the mounting ieft, nothing to ho desired. The principal attraction, however, was the acting of 3Lme. Olga Petrova in tho leading lole. In My Madonna" she certainly achieved a great success, quite eclipsing her previous performances in front of the camera. The picture was a severe test of an actress's dramatic power. Did she for a moment fail to fascinate the onlooker, his belief in L.er ability to fascinate the man in the picture would be gone. But Olga Petrova never failed, and therein was the secret of her success. In ''Mv Madonna" there is a strong and original plot, which affords free play to the special talents of the leading lady. It was ceytainly one of the best pictures screened at the above theatre. The other picture was the fourteenth series of "The Black Box" —the last but one of this exciting serial. The same pictures will be shown again to-day and to-night, and patrons are. advised, to note til.- hours of screening advertised e'sewhere dri this issue;' "

"HIS MAJ ESTY S THEATRE. The splendid film adaptation of Hall Caine's i&uious novel, "Tne Christian," was th'.- attraction at His Majesty's lheatre last, evening. The play, which was produced by the London Film Company unocr the persona) direction of the author, occupics eight reels of film, and contrary to general experience of li!m productions, tile play iosos little by adaptation from the novel. Tho lead is tancn by Dcr.venf, Hall Cable, son of tlu; author, who has played John Storm many times in London and the British piovinces. Miss Elizabeth Jtvisdcn makes a splendid Glory Qnaylc, and one of the other roles, that of i' rancis Diako, played by Gerald Ames, is a notable piece of work. ' It is 'unnecessary to detail the action of tho story now made familiar by the extensive sale of tho book and the stago dramatisation. The picturc play faitniully follows the plot, and the London Finn Company have gone to much trouble to secure some very characteristic scene., in London, and a glimpse of j the classic Derby race at Epsom Downs. J no photograpav itself is excelJent throughout, in tho mob scenes wherein hundreds of men, women, and children dash- through the streets of London. The piece, which should prove a great draw, will be repeated throughout the week, together, with an excellent programme of music by the Ellwood Trio. STARLAND. The principal attraction at Starland Theatre this week is the Red Feather production, "Fatherhood." Written and produced by Hobart Bosworth, who also piavs the lead, the scene of the play is laid in the Far West, with many vivid glimpses of primitive ranch life. The film is aptly described as a "thoroughly red-blooded drama, with, a domestic appeal which lifts it out of the ordinary ruckj" and is an emotional problem play, giving a psychological study of a woman whose strong natural affections, arc stultified by the unemotional nature of her husband. In addition to Hobart Bosworth, Lydia Yeamaris Titus, who toured New Zealand a few years ago as a star vaudeville entertainer, also plays an important part in "Fatherhood." The supporting programme includes "Operating on Cupid," a Vesta comedy; "Eclair Journal," "The Evil of Suspicion," a Lamclle drama; and "When Love Lasts," a Nestor comedy. EVERYBODY'S. Good houses witnessed the change of programme at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, when the principal attraction n-as a Lasky-Paramount _ four-reel comcdy entitled "The Wild Goose | Chase." The story opens in France, where two noble grandfathers decide to leave a large fortune each to their respective grand-daughter and grandson, with the proviso that they marry. The parents agree to the match, but perversity seizes the children, and while Bob sends his over-studious roommate to call, the girl impersonates her maid. Pressed by their parents, the pair seek escape by joining a travelling troupe, their real names being unknown to each other. After many vicissitudes, tho girl's parents find her and persuade her to give up the life. In parting she exchanges real names and addresses with tho young man, which, of course, leads to surprises and tho eventual carrying out of _ the grandparents' wishes. Supporting films include the "Pathe Gazette," "The Muffled Bell," a Reliance drama,, and "Our Jfavy," a film well worth seeing at this stage. GLOBE. A Yitagraph drama, ''Barriers of Prejudice," formed the star item in the weekly change of programme yesterday at the Globe Theatre. The story deais with the marriage of a wealthy .woman's son ivith tho daughter of a fisherwoman. The aristocratic mother

tries to separate the pair, and aJrnost succeeds, when the son ascertains that his wife has given birth to a child, and. learning the true story of things, returns to his wife. In the end the baby is the cause of re-uniting all parties. "Gertie's Joy Ride' is described as a screaming comedy, and other features of the programme, which will be repeated at all sessions to-day, are: "Australian Gazette," "Scenes in British Navy," "Tapioca-making, "Man's Genius," and Advcutures," the last-named u keystone comedy. 1 SYDENHAM PICTURES. With, tho introduction last night of continuous pictures, cheap prices, and a. star feature, "The Christian," at the Sydenham Theatre, it was not at all surprising to find this house of amusement crowded, especially at the second session. The star picturc is a pictorial representation of Hall Caine's great work, "The Christian." The story lends itself admirably for the screen. The mountings aro lavish, and the I crowds, especially in the mob scene, where over JOOO men, women, and children chase John Storm, is most striking. The picture will be shown tonight and at to-morrow's sessions. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Owing to non-arrival of "The Heart of the Bluo Ridge" from Wellington, tho Queen's Theatre had to screen a stand-by programme yesterday, which was of very good auality. The management were notified by telegram that the film was posted yesterday, so that patrons of the theatre are assured that it will bo shown to-day. OLYMPIA RINK. During the various sessions of the Olympia Rink yesterday largo numbers of patrons indulged with great enjoyment in the pleasing pastime of roller skating. To-day and this evening the Rink will be open it tho customary times.