AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15769, 9 December 1916, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE,

Only two moro opportunities remai for patrons of this populai\ vaudovill house to witness the tine, all-round pix Rrammo at present being shown. Chri .Richards has proved himself a ver, popular favourite with local audiences and he is certainly one of the fnnnies comedians wc have seen for a Ion; time. Last night the audience gav him a great reception, a nd all the othe artists were very well received. Thi afternoon tho usual matinee will b given. To-night will be the last nigh of vaudeville at the Opera Houso for ; fortnight, tho shortage of artists com polling a closing down. The house wiJ open again on December 26th, Victo Prince's pantomime company being th chief attraction. PATL DUFAULT. Paul Dufault, the Canadian tenor returns here for three concerts, in re sponse to innumerable requests, as i was originally intended to vi'st th' North Island only en route to America Mr Dufault is strong in his liking fo; compositions be.vring a human appeal and our music-lovers appear cqualb strong in their liking for "this stylo o" music; therefore the new Dufault pro gramme will be looked forward to witl interest, as it will doubtless contair numerous new songs. It is hoped however, that some of tho former favourites will be repeated, for Mr DufauM gives every song lie sings an interpretation distinctly his own. The concerts ■"'ill take place at the Theatre Royal on Friday next and the following Saturday and Monday. The box plans open at The Bristol on Tuesday morning. FESTIVAL OF NEW ZEALAND MUSIC. An important- movement, having for its object tho encouragement of creative musical talent innat« in every British country, ],as reached Christchurch, and tho outcouio is that after months of training a programme of music, composed by New Zealand-born composers, will bo presented to the citizens of Christchurch on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next. Tho first two performances will take place at tho Theatre Royal on the first two dates, and on Wednesday the city organ will be used in His Majesty's. The performances will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Earl of Liverpool. Already hundreds of tickets hav© been sold, and if patron.-,- would secure seats they must apply early. A groat feature of the programme will be the production of the "Soldiers' Requiem" ("How Sleep the Brave"), in memory of tho heroes of Anzac. Evolved as itis out of their great work, and sung as it will ba by over twj hundred voices, it should provo imp'ressive and dignified. ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. The final subscription concert for the 1010 season will be given by tho Christchurch Orchestral Society this evening. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, and suite, will b© present. The D Minor Symphony ("Cesar Franck" will, with the exception of a portion of the third movement, be given for the first timo in New Zealand. The orchestra will again be assisted by Mr B. Ycates, the well-known Wellington bassoonist; Mr Geo. H. Bonnington has a big number in tho concerto for oboe and orchestra (Klughardt); I and Miss Irene Morris will play the sclo violin in "Traumerei" (Schumann) and "Romance'' (Pouget). Mr Rex Harrison (baritone) will give as his numbers "O, Star of Eve" (Wagner) and "How's My Boy?" (Homer). The box plan is at The Bristol, where- extra seats may be reserved. Day sales are obtainable at tho Toy Cave. MUSICAL SOCIETY.

1 The third subscription concert of the ■ present - season will be given by the ' Christchurch 3lusical Society at the Choral Hall on Thursday, December 31st, when Handel's "Messiah" will be giveu. The soloists will be: —Miss Cara Holdgato (soprano), Miss Nptting. ham (contralto), Mr M. H. Blakeley (tenor), and Mr Olarkson (bass). Tho Society will be assisted by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. MARY PIOKFORD AT EVERYBODY'S. Photo-play patrons will be regaled to their hearts' content at Everybody's Theatre next week, when Mary Pickford will reappear, supported by a Famous Players cast in tho Alaskan drama, "Little Pal." As "Little Pal" she takes the part of a half-breed Indian girl, and in a romantic &nd sensational sequence of events makes a woman's supremo sacrifice —her love — ■with a touch of pathos and charm that wins the hearts of all. "Little Pal" is a vivid drama, set amidst tho frozen mining wastes of Golden Alaska. The play is described as "sp&Tkling, appealing, thoroughly natural, quaint, wholesome, and enjoyable." It is said to be undoubtedly "Mary Pickford's greatest work. It reveals her remarkable versatility, wonderful talent, and charming personality as no other picture has done. In "Wellington and Auckland Pal'' has been drawing "capacity" houses, and the same condition of things is anticipated here, consequently intending patrons are advised to attend, whenever possible, the afternoon sessions, or be early at night. The hours of screening "Little Pal" will be 12:25, 1.53, 3.25, 4.55. C.25, 7:35, and 9.:>0 p.m. There will be a strong supporting programme. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. There will be three extra pictures shown at all clay sessions to-day at the Queen's Theatre, in addition to "The incorrigible Dukane" and tho Supporting programme. On Monday Dorothy G'ish. and Owen Moore will take the leading parts in 'A Modem Joan of Arc," a Trianglo drama m live reels, which is a story of the adventures of a society girl with high ideals who starts out to uplift the people of, the slums. The scenes are taken from New York's highest and lowest quarters. At Starland to-day the complete programme will he shown at all" sessions, in order to give the children attending the day sessions a chanco to see the many spectacular effects in "The Little Gipsy." A powerful double bill i s to be screened at Starland nest week, the big features being "The Soul of New York," in which Miss Valeska Suratt and "William E. Shay have the leading parts, and "The Secret Sin," starring Blanche Sweet and Scssue Hayakawa. ° "Niobe." the fascinating corned vdrama with Hazel Dawn in the title role, will be screened for the last time at the Globe Theatre to-day and to-night. A special picture will be included for this afternoon entitled "Chief "White Eagle," a stirring drama of the "West. On Monday the final episode of "Stingaree"—"The Darkest Hour"—will head the new programme. To-day's new programme at tho Grand Theatre is headed by another Metro wonder-play entitled "The Weakness of Strength," featuring Edmund ' Breese. An excellent supporting programme will also be shown, which includes specials for the afternoon sessions. "Tennessee's Pardner" was repeated at the Sydenham Theatre yesterday, and will be screened again this afternoon and evening.

"The Payment" -was presented again last night at His, Majesty's Theatre, and will be repeated to-day.