AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15777, 19 December 1916, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

PAUL DEFAULT'S FAREWELL

The final concert of Mr Paul Dufault last night at the Theatre Royal brought out again triumphantly all the fine qualities of the eminent singer. The Prayer from "Le Cid" was admirably sung, the ballads "Au Pays,'' Dix's "The Trumpeter." and "'lnter Nos " with intense dramatic force. But in pure beauty of expression and vocalisation, especially the part in the duet from "Carmen," winch begins with the words "Mere, je la vois, ' also Sterndale Bennett's "Sometimes in Summer," "The Spirit Flower," and "Sao-ament" were, one felt inclined to think unsurpassable. The applause bv the large audience following every number was demonstrative. "We part from At. Dufault with grateful memories and hopes for his return some day. Miss Bindley sang very well the beautiful aria from "Louise." and in her ballads were disclosed much taste and sympathy. Miss Florence Scapim plaved, amongst other numbers, most 'brilliantly the Corelli : Kreisler tions. with dainty realism 'Ine Bee. and verv charmingly Pierne s "Serenade." "Mr Whittle's accompaniments excelled in "Au Pays" and "The Trumpeter." For the tliird time their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool and suite attended the Dufault concerts. * QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new programme at the Queen's Th f> ; vtre vestcrday was headed by the strikingly interesting film "Hypocrites." its subsidiary title being "J be Naked Truth." It.s message was conveyed partly by an allegory and partly by* a series of incidents m real hie. Portions of the allegory were not too easily followed, but the general trend of the argument was apparent enough. The Wam object was to inculcate the lesson that truth in the abstract is not acceptable to the majority of mankind. This was first shown by the destruction of a beautiful statue of a nude woman by the people to whom it was presented. Tile lesson was emphasised by the effect on a modern church congregation ot a sermon on hypocrisy. The feature ol the production, which has caused sonic comment, is the personification of truth as a nude woman, but this is done with such artistic restraint that there is not the slightest suggestion 01 the indecent. That it was fit. and proper for public exhibition and likely to have an excellent moral effect appears to have been the justification for the New Zealand censor of films having pasted it. The latest Pathe •'Gazette'' and a humorous film. "The Winning Punch." completed the programme, which will be again screened to-day.

STAR LAND. Holiday crowds ami particularly fine programme were responsible for packed houses at all sessions at Starland yesterday. Tlic chief item at the continuous daV sessions, and which was also screened *at 1.ho : night session do liixp, was the sensational film Auuin Rosa'." in which the grand opera prima donna. Gcraldine Farrar. scored a. decided hit. The story of "Maria Rosa' is laid in the mountains of Catalonia, in the north-eastern part of Spain, and the natural beauty of the scenery gives ample scope lor • heaut.il ul settings throughout the five reels of the photodrama. How it is that Geraldme *.arrar is considered the greatest living "Carmen" one can_ easily realise hy watching "Maria K-osa./' and in the many scenes of love, urief. and loatiini<T she becomes merged in the character sne is portraying, and the audience has the rarest of pleasures—seeing ( a sublime part- in. the hands of a liighiy"ifted artiste. The other big production on Stariand's programme this week, and which is only.screened at the night session do luxe, is "Willi am ■Tox's picturisation of_ Alfred Sutro's famous drama, 'lhe nils ol Jericho." and is well up to the high Fox standard in everv detail. "Maria Rosa' 1 will only be" screened at Starland for the first half of the weelc _ and will then he transferred to the I'.mpTre riicatre, Sydenham. EVERYBODY'S THEATJiE. There were very large houses at all the sessions at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, and the new programme was received with every mark of the appreciation it undoubtedly deserved. The star feature is a decidedly remarkable picture—a World Film Corporation release—entitled "The Perils of Divorce." Though the theme of the danger of a too easilv obtained divorce is more applicable to America than here that does not alfcct the high interest of the story, which is presented and acted in a very artistic and powerful manner. The cast, headed by Edna SV. Hooper and Frank Sheridan is a strong'one, and the interest. i. s sustained from start to finish. The. supporting films include a very amusing nature picturc. "Discovered," a fine coloured Pa the'filui, "Fowls and Uame Birds," and the latest GaumontGazette. OPERA HOUSE. An entirely new bill will be f,een when this popular theatre re-opens next Tuesday. It is headed by Mankin, an American contortionist, who is said to be one of the Fuller firm's most successful importations. Blake and Grandy, who provide comedy sketch, are recent arrivals from England. The Fredo Boys, tumbliug acrobats, also hail from "America. A popular reappearance will he that of Phil Pereival, comedian at the piano. Scott Gibson, a Scotch comedian, will be heard in the latest songs from London. I.c Cain and Mason, duett ists and musicians, Marjoric Alwyn, contralto, -and Tunbridge and dancers, are also due t-o make a. . first aooearancc here. A matinee will be held on Boxing Day. at which the lull programme will be given. ARE YOU A MASON?

The Royal Dramatic- and Comedy Company will open a bi'ief reason at the Theatre" Royal- on Boxing Night, and present the* big .J. C. Williamson success, "Are You a Mason:-" which is attracting largo houses in the North Island. "Are You a .Mason?'' was first introduced to the colonies some years ago. Time ha« not diminished Uio powers of this merry farcical comedy to evoke and sustain the heartiest laughter. Good jokes die hard, and tiie one involved in '"Are on a Mason.-' ' appears to be good for a long time yet. The principals of the company associated with the success of the comedy iu the North, and iv'no are to appear here, include Misses Margaret Linden, Be&trice Esmond. Madge Surtees, Rubv Guv. Mabs Gower. Mildred Carlton/ and Messrs Ronald Riley, Gerald Hareourt. Colville Dnnn, C. B. Throsby. Fred Coape, Hareourt. Hare, and Reg. Collins. -The box plans will be opened at Milner and Thompson s on Thursday morning. No extra chargc will be made for reserving seats. CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY. • Ou Thursday evening at the Choral Hall the Chri.stchurch Musical Society, assisted bv the Symphony Orchestra, ■will give Handel's ''Messiah." The performance promises to be a successful one. The soloists are well and favourably known, while the choral numbers have been wel practised. The accompaniments will be played by the Svmphonv Orchestra of over 40 members. The whole production will be under the baton of Dr. Bradshaw. Tickets are now available at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Pretenders," with. Emmy Wehlen in the lead, now showing at the Grand Theatre, drew very large attendances yesterday. It is one of those pictures which combine charming romance. delightful comedy, strong dramatic ' situations, good acting, and a plot deeply interesting with faultless

production and photography. The >ixteenth series ol "The _ Broken Coin, also provided patrons with considerable excitement. Ihe same pictures will be shown again to-day and to-night. The outstanding item of the new programme at His Majesty's Theatre is the photoplay ' 'Daphne and the Pirate.'' To those who like their romance well seasoned with deeds of derring-do this picture will appeal stronglv. It- is a story of a picturesque incident in history when Louisiana was a French colony, and when batches of French girls were shipped off in boat loads from France to be sold as wives to the colonists. It does not need much imagination to realise that with a groundwork like this and more than a dash of fierce pirates and daring American seamen, a first-rate story can be. and is, made. The supporting programme includes the latest Pathe Gazette, and a comedy " The Cost of High Living." and other good films. At the Sydenham Pictures to-day the popular photoplay. ''The Ragamuffin, with Blanche Sweet in the chief part, will bo repeated with a strong supporting programme. The Globe Theatre's programme, which star-s the powerful and sensational drama, "The Great Hour." will be repeated to-day. Other pictures are a. comedv. "Bettv and the New Girl. ' a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, and "An Animal Acrobat,"' a nature study.