AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15728, 23 October 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOrSE

I There will be a special matiuee performance at the. Opera House to-day, commencing at 2.30 p.m.. in addition to the usual evening perfotmance. Madge Maitlaud, "the Irish girl from America," will give ;i complete change of programme. This, i.- the clever artist's last week in Christchurch: during her season here sbp has established herself a prime favourite. To-night a number of new artists will make their first- appearance, including Lester. Brown and Co.. who will produce their great fun-maker, ,in original sketch, entitled "A Business Marriage,"' and the two Zadellas. Phyllis and Cerise, _ing halls of England. Donalr} Cornwaling halls of England. Donald Corw.nllis, .the tiimologue entertainer, will produce his great duo filmologue, entitled "The _ Veil of Kismet,'' a clever and artistic production, in which he is ably assisted by Miss Edith Cowley- Miss Jeannettc Spellman, the dancing Johnstons, and the other members of the company will all appear in a change of items. "THE DIVPCITY OF MOTHERHOOD » Commencing to-day at the Theatro Tloy.il at the matinee and continuing ! for five r.igLts with matinees daily, there will be screened a film entitled '"The Divinity of Motherhood." It would hardly have been thought that "The Divinity of Motherhood" was a --uit-ablG subiect for picturing, but modern art has overcome all difficulties. Fhe_ story is familiar—that of the unwilling mother, who renounced her maternal responsibilities for the giddy glamour of society, only to r.epent fntiely in a childless maturity. Incidentally the picture is embellished with a number of beautiful studies of the blossoms of babyhood that make it particularly attractive. Although the picture is admittedly a problem play, tha scheme is said to be handled with a delicacy -of treatment that makes the vivid story acceptable to everybody, of whatever age or temperament. It is strongly caste and impressively acted, with Marguerite Fischer in the leading role. The supporting films include "Diana tho Huntress," a Greek classic, and "Chip's Adventure." a child comedy with a juvenile Charlie Chaplin as the principal funmaker. The whole programme has been passed for general exhibition by tho New Zealand Government picture censor, thus guaranteeing that every picture can be seen by one and aU. "THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME." Commencing at the matineo to-day at 2.30 p.m., there will be presented at His Majesty's Theatre the British War Office's own films showing the opening of the great offensive in France —"The Battle of tlio Somme." Mr Lloyd George specially directed that these films should be shown everywhere, and forty copies were simultaneously shown in London alone, where they caused an enormous sensation. Am.ongr.st the most wonderful of the many incidents which make these pictures so different from the war films previously seen hero are the platoons of tho Buffs, Bedfords, Suffolks, and a battalion of Royal Welsh Fusiliers moving up on the evening, before the attack: hidden batteries pounding German trenches for five days before the attack on July Ist; bombarding tho Germans with 8.2-inch howitzers, the shells tearing up the enemy's deep dug-outs; and tne German curtain fire. This picture has the same official backing as "Britain Prepared," and must on no account be classed with the many brands of socalled "official" war pictures which have been shown in New Zealand *n the past. There will also be shown a picture trip to Eotorua and other interesting items.. The box plan today is-.at tha theatre. * STARLAND. The "house . full" sign liad to be brought Into use very early on Saturday night, and the Starland-manage-ment claims that tho two big productions on this week's programme easily outdoes ■ those presented last week, intending patrons of the night session de luxe are advised to attend eaTly, or 1 take the precaution of booking their ' seats. A big holiday bill will be screened at the continuous day sessions, the star feature being • the : J esse L. Lasky photo-drama, "The Cheat," in which Fanny Ward plays the lead, and j is assisted by Jack Dean, and the famous Japanese actor, Sessue Haya--1 kawa. Additional items will make up ! the two hours* entertainment to bo ' given at each day session, "The Crumpjed Letter," and two comedies, ' lho j Bogus Ghost" and "How Dizzy Joo got to Heaven." At the night session ! de luxe, tho William Fox production, I "Carmen," with the famous and' foremost "Vamoire woman" in tho -world, Miss Theda" Bara, as the beautiful Spanish gipsy, will be added to the programme. "Carmen'-' is claimed to be a screon masterpieco in every sense of •the word, and will be screened, to tha music of Bizet's grand opera. "BRITAIN PREPARED. At the Queen's Theatre commencing to-day, patrons will have _ the pleasure of witnessing a magnificent production entitled "Britain Prepared,/ which is a grand review of the activities of His Majesty's Naval and Military Forces. The films were obtained by special authority and with the cooperation of H.M. British. Admiralty, tne War Office, and the Ministry of Munitions. No more impressive lesson on the majesty of British power, no more stimulating sight for tne eyes of patriots, could bo found than a visit to these pictures. This huge set of officially authorised war picture#; show;s munitions in the making, a wonderfully vivid set of films taken especially by Messrs Vickers, Ltd., in their munition plants, employing over 100,000 men and women. It also shows British armies in training, the most complete series of .military films ever obtained in Great Britain. The views of tho Navy in. the North Sea, which are of especial interest at tho present time, arc exhibited by special authority of the Admiralty and with the personal encouragement of Mr A. J. Balfour, Minister for the Navy. MIROVITCH-PIASTEO CONCERTS. The forewell ooncerts of MM. Mirovitch and Piastro, the distinguished Russian musicians, will be given in Christchurch on the 28th and 30th inst. The visitors will be supported by the Christchurch Orchestral Society of fifty performers, under the conductorship of Mr A. J. Bunz. The first part of the programme next Saturday will be devoted to the works of Rubinstein and Mendelssohn. M. Mirovitch, tho pianist, playing the great Rubinstein Concerto in "D Minor, and M. Piastre, the violinist, tho Mendelssohn violin Concerto. In both numbers they will be accompanied by the Orchestral Society. The plans for the concerts will open at Tho Bristol to-morrow, and special concessions will be made to students. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Spell of tho Yukon," shown at the Grand Theatre on Saturday, for the first time, proved a. pronounced success. It is adapted from the- best j known of Robert W. Service's poems, and features the popular American stage actor Edmund Breese. Mr Bieese j is particularly well suited to portray the strenuous role demanded of him in j "The Spell of the Yukon," and he acts j the part of Jim Carson to the life. j The feature of the poduction is, how- | over, the remarkable scenes introduced | of portions of Alaska's boundless wastes , of snow and icc, showing the journey. across the Yukon, dog teams, etc. The picture i 5 certainly one of the best of 'its type seen here. To-da.v the same film will be shown with the eighth series of "The Broken Coin,"' as a supporting subject. During the afternoon sessions special pictures will be shown,

making up a. two-hour programme. During the screening of "The Spellof the Yukon.'' Miss Teasdale will sing "Love's Old Sweet Song."

A great attraction commences at newt to-day at Everybody's Theatre in I Triangle society drama, entitled "The j Bartered Bride.."' starring H. B. Warner, who '.vs. such a success in "Tho Raiders." The story is a most- . unusual one, and constitutes a telling indictment of American high society. It deals with an urgent social problem of the day—the marriage based on desire for social advancement and not for : love. Supporting itom> will be an officii] war film, showing tho British Army in France, tie Gaumont. Graphic, and :i cartoon. "Charlie os an Lp-to-date Thriller,which is; ssaid to be highly amusing.

A splendid holiday programme will be presented at the Globe Theatre to-day, commencing at noon. The star picture is a World Film drama, "The Dawn of Fate,'' and will be supported by "The Gsumont Graphic'' (war topical), ""Winter Scenes in Norway 1 ' (snort), and ; 'Kernel Knut wins a Wife"' (Vitacomcdy).

A fine series of views of tho preat thermal wonderland of Rotorua will be one of the chief films at the Sydenham Picture Theatre to-day. Another very interesting picture will show the whole of the many intricate processes which go towards the making of an up-to-date automobile. A matinee will be given at. 2.30 p.m., and the usual session will from 6.30 to 10 p.m. THEATRE ROYAL. The New Zealand reason of the Horace Goldin Company was brought to a close on Saturday night, when a large audience iu the Theatre Royal thoroughly enjoyed the programme. Mr Gofdin and his party leave, this week for South Africa, and the vaudeville members of the company return to Australia.