AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16205, 7 May 1918, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. Tho nev.- progrcm.T.c presented by Air wVdcey James's »«- H?vuo Company to a large aue-.ience at the Theatre li ■' y - 1 1 I act night, like their firjw offering, was characterised in- inucii sparkle a»-.d novcltv. The arrival of the Roy::] Strollers by cinema. cxthe 'o- i;;i care to !>e anrl diijt care <j;d not stand tipon iiie order ox hia going. Int writt, and stayod awav the rcmar-cer of th"- ovei'.-nr. The new items -if rL> !ll ' c ' v sried, and were giver, with .h" ncc3wary vim nr.d spiri!. Italiano." a buri'-cqu... oi j-rutid opoiii. the participants ie.il;.' .bouncy Jo.-:c Jackscn. n<l tx-crgo Oraystone, v.-c« «ta-e<l with p«imBticn:ion to dctai;: the of ihe barrel and witil— oi:„ v.-lncii no liiirleso-i'- jrra-id opera -.5 pcnuim, j:.-'rticu!arlv noticeaoie. Tile iiutnorous* side of railway' travelling, as it Appears to tho guard, was admirably hit off in a siir.rh in which .the company .took part and Jamos was jjuide, philosopher, ai:-i fritricl to the paispiiper?. The sketch was responsible ,'r. r * a consider;,b:e anionnt of merriment, and was eapitJliy dor.e. Another iav.g-iitcr-provok ag skitcii, done in dumb shov.- by f,Vc mule" members °? t!u : was an f.itrao.rdina.-v j-nij iTieisc-t. ihe vavioiu styles of bowltrg, tin tccsutrii 1 batting, and the nnprecedent:d' scoring' v.-cre perfect joyor.;jte=.s whil- they -daue.iio llo.sEircr, whose singing ai.d graccml a-.incint,' won hearty applauce, s'svo the humorous song -On the Pier," and followed up v.-ith a spirited version of "'What do Y .? u ,V a: -'- t ? ITicso Kyes at Me for?" Minco Pies done in varioua musical moi»s an old favourite that loses nothing by ueiug ,iea.-d again, gav<> different members Oi the company opportunity to present their concpption of this of mirth. 'I ho y rand tisale, the production o.f the nsuakrpiece a3 oratorio, was elcilfully manipulated and extracted the absolute residue'oi c-'ii ollt . 01 li:o " !I »ch-tortured magterpiecc. Billy, "the- incomparable jesk>r," again ' ir t c . ci ],'P to his label, and his mimic battle with George Graystons spropog .a lady from whem botii allowed had received "the F,, side-splitting in its funnincsß. Ti;o "lady" lifti'ecli appeared in one of (ho box? 3. jnd v.ith the iimelisht ftill noon her not "the glad eye, ' but decidedly tro.'icsome nose. Other features o- ! 2 st nisrut a :nvo;r.-,n>.ra: wr.ro "TheDoy at, School,' Revels" (in which the ••Come li'•side (Jiris"' danced a jrrace.'ul pyiom.'t ballet) and "Th-: Voice Trial." In {ho Ust-m»n-.loned sketch the purest farcc Jield undisputed sway, and the audience was owopt from one laughter-provoking item to another "only more so." 'Jhe sketch was admirably deoi.?ued and capably _ performed. To-night tho company will ap;:car in the aarnc programme.

OPERA HOUSE. There was a large audience at •the Opera TJo!!33 last evening, when tho- vaudeville portion of tile programme- underwent a change. Th? very fine turn provided by Mar.deno's Dti ? s made a great appeal to the audience. Jiieco murals arc ivel] (rained and are exceptionally ciovc-r performers, tbe trickinwa "comedian" being amusing in the extreme. Haiulyn and Mnck, a dainty and attractive American couple. staged a takiii" song, dance, and patter turn. Their danci.'J" is very nrp.t, and the whole turn w.-ws, in fa<-(. one of the daintiest staged l'ere for some time. Eonita and Lee inaae a welcome reappearance in a smart offering, tha principal features, of which were somo fine sliarp-shooting by the lady member and some remarkable wbio-crackin" bv her male partner. Tho turn well deserved tl:o applause with which it woe greeted. Tho Mve Lev;ins presented an acceptable change or li.-'jr.s, and tho remaining turn was given by -Tacit Martin and Co. The II aver ley Musical Farce Company repeated "Muldoon s Picnic" with great success, the entire entertainment, being a most enjoyable or.e. Iho same programme will bo given to-night, .the bos plans are at Milner and Thompson's. BENEFIT MATINEE. To-morrow afternoon u grand complimentary matmeo is to be given at the Opera House to .Miss Lydiu Carne, the popular danseusc of the Walter Johnston ltcvuc Company, which appeared- in Chxisicliurch ear : y -in tho present year. Miss Came .was taken seriously ill one evening during her uppearnnco here with the company, and nhc has bieu laid up in r private hospital ever since. In the meautime she, has. undergone a most dangerous operation—a matter of life .or death to her-*—from which she is very slowly recovering. It will he another six j 8 keforo (^} c 18 "hie to again appear nehind the As her medical and hospital expenses will l,e very- considerable, Alosars Inillcr havo dccided to give Jicr com© assistance in tbc way of a bene.lt matins. Mr Sydney James, of the Royal strollers, has generously offered the services of hir? hlgn-cluss performers, and thoso who wilt appear in addition to the Opera House artist will be:—Mr Sydney James and "Billv," Jlesars G. W. Desmond and Geo. Graystone, and Mieses Madeline itossiter, Josie Jac.'cson, Ira. Biseett, and Qucenia Trenberth. The Opera House performers will include Mr Tom Hi'verley, Mr Billy Maloney. Miss Claire Lloyd, Harnlyn and Mack, Mandeno's Dogs, Bonita and Lm, the Five Lewine, and 'ho Kute Kewpie Kids. It will thus be seen that the bill will bo easily the strongest variety one ever presented to a. Christchurch audience, and the cause being a deserving one, it only remains for the public to do their share. Tickets arc. on sale at Milner and Ihompaon'a and the Theatre.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND STATILAXD. When William Fox sets out to mako a photo-play, ho does so with an obvious eye to the importance of presenting the play exactly as ho imagines the author would have done it, and with a scrupulous regajd to the exactness of tho characterisation. Fox is one of the world's greatest picture-makers. Such masterpieces as "A Daughter of tho <>oos, 'Aeptuno's Daughter," and "Carmen, ' the picture which made Theda Bara famous, stand to his credit; and liis long lino of successful picture*; is moro than upheld by the Fox picture to be screened illi Christchurcli. This is "A Tale of Two Cities, a dramatisation of Charles Dickens'cf masterpiece, which is being shown several times daily throughout this week at Crystal Palace and Starland. ' A Tale of Two Cities" is a remarkable picture in many ways. In the first place tho plot is set in :i period or history at once stormy and tragic, but withal of tremendous fascination when viewed from the distance of more than a century. The French Revolution has formed the background for dozens of famous novels mid plays, none of them, however, told with more artistry and more realism than "A Tale of Two Cities." The story of tho dissolute, devil-may-care Englishman Sidney Carton, who, under tho influence of a great and noble love, gives Up his life to the "sharp-tongued lady, Madam© La Guillotine," has long been a classic /in fiction. And William Fox, with tho sympathetic insight of the true artist and the consummate artistry of the skilled craftsman, has made, of Dickens's novel a screen classic worthy of its fiction prototype. I n the first place ho has chosen his characters carefully. William Far'num, seen in the dual roles of Sidney Carton and Charles Daa-nay, his French double, is one .of the master-actors of tho picture world; and whilo he is always sure of success in a modern rolo, his type J is better suited to a costumc play. Apart from the excellence of hie acting and his very expressive features, he makes a gallant figure, in the last scenc especially, where, with firm bearing and dignified tread, he mounts the steps to the guillotine. Opposite Fariium is Jewel Carmen, in tho role of Lucy Manette. Here again is demonstrated the wisdom of tho producer's choice of players. Jewel Carmen is not a great actress; she will never achieve fho brilliancy of a Mae Marsh, neither for sheer beauty wjll she touch Rubyo de Reemer nor for popularity Wary Pickford; but it is doubtful whether in the part of Lucie any of theso actresses would so carry the wistful appeal or play with the same delicate grace. It 19 safe to say that Lucio Manette is Jewel Carmen s beet characterisation as yet, and it should go far to popularise her with lovers of moving pictures. Other notable charac,rrs L" Tale of Two are Dr. Manette, the prisoner of the Bastille whom years of stark horror during his imprisonment maKo vacant of mind until restored bv Lur.ws tender love; and Madame La Fartre a Tncoteuse of tho Revolution inspired bv to revenge upon a nobility that has ground down her people. TVre are other that flash on and o£f tho ecreen-in fact, the picture is a pageant of faces, faces proud and haughty, tender or lovyjg, Wial or blood-hungry. In tho trial studies in expression caught by the rihotogiaphers are a marvel of kinems.tographj c

The scenery, needless to say, is »u historically correct, and wa6 made specially for the picture. The buxldings, 125 feet high npx£ senting the Bastille took five weeks ti and are said to be an exact replica of the Ban tin " ! P reoenti ng 8 Bank_ m London is also complete even to the dusty nature of its interior. No one should miss *'A Tale of Two Cities." In order to provide picturegoers with ample onof witnessing it. the management has d«K3ed to show _ it at both Crystal Palace and Star land. The box plans for both houses are now on view at The Bristol. There is a big supporting programme at both theatres, Crystal Palace showing chapter three the thrilling serial "Who is Number One?" A special programme is being performed by Mr W. H. Corrigan's orchestra of nine players. "A Tale of Two Cities" will

b» shov.-n at 1i.15, 3.15. and S.lO inigh! seswhile at Starland the sessions commence at 1-, -.30. 5, and 7.30. At this theatre there will be shown ajiotlicr instalment 0; "The Voice on tho 'Wire."

LIBERTY THEATRE. There was en abnormal rush of patrons to »nc Liberty Lheatr.- ycttcrday—scores having to bo turned away at every session—to W 'V, lhc J'- x P™S™mme, the feature of .VS'V. 1 ,; s VC t4' ; " V'. ma , r , kab!c production Kr.n-hlcu Thy Dc-irhler." Jf an incisive sp.d bilni.T i .idiot mo it of pruderv is needed this picture givos it. The sublet is admitted!'- a delicate one to handle, but this it receives m the play. The picture has been paid rnt to be conventional. and it certainly i.= not. but it has a purpose, and its I in^«:, ? c lo '"Others .wd the solution of grave problems which ,t points out is its excuse | if «cu£3 Vrrdcj. The pla r b handled by I a JkiUe.i acd arti«tir cast hended br R„bvc i <•* Rfwner. K'.rft-, and James Morrison i i iui the mounting and dressing nre of the ruhcH and mo3t complete description. The hn Photoplay, Corporation, «lnch nroauccd the film, has utilised the -erne,! to good purpose- as a medium for w:<rning parents of the dangers attendinyoung people brought up in ignorance. The S.'ory d?iis with the careers of two young girls one brought up with a full knowledge or the dangers, and the other roared by "a fond but fooush mother in complete i"for- I ance. two girls, who are fell :n love vitn the same man, and the ignorance of one girl eventually brings about" tin rrcdy for her and unliappinoa? for the other— »n<! incide.i; tally n frocks the home of her parents. The authors aim is diselosed in ihe eariy part of the picture in an allegorical seen". Parallel with the storv is (he ksson of a young- mother v.-ho is afraid of motherhood, but sees the peril and wrong of her ideas 111 time. Then there i* too the evi!_ worked by a young man. the betray or o! the innocent. v:hos? of the eno.-niitv of the wrong ho is doin" i» finally diiii>e!loJ. In sunport there is anotlior instalment of ilie thrilling serial "The \"e■glecfed Wife," the current number being narticularlv sencalionol, and with other pictures the programme is ore 0 f -(i, e os ", Shown at the Liberty Theatre.

QUEEX'S THEATRE. One of the euistandin; iouturcs of "Southcm Pride,tho Mutual protluction which, heads the nnciv soiectvd new programme at , c . 'J. lie at re, is the succeas with which the atmesphero of the old Crco'o families of -\e--v drleans, and their veneraA 1 ? 1 !. '° r i i ,as » traditions are presented Although a story of modern times, tho iniluence<j ot tho past uro alwavs itpparont Uiul Iv&nc, who rcprosorite the young, handsome, r.nd fascinating daughter of an old Boutliern family, fallen on evil time* ant' forced to part with some of its cherished' iieirlcoms, makes tho character vivid and roaiistic. Another tine character studv is that oi the aunt—".in aristocrat to the finger ups. ' The main interest in the "tory centres round the theft of tho old family jcwe.s but a gorgeous interlude is tho scene picturing a magniticent ball, the getting of v.-hich is luxurious. Another noteworthy~feature of the film is the glimpses giver, of tho old time, narrow, and tortuous streets of New Orfc-tms. The story is driimaticallv worked out and the final scene when the lovers, thanks to tho artless scheme of the priert, their gentle confidant, arc uniteJ, cha.rming'y end 3 a. i«rfect idyll of the south. Ihe other subjects include "Curlew Corlces " a cowboy drama, ''Walk this Way," 'a comedy, and "Matty's Love Affair," a juvcni.e comcdj'. L/ir&o audiencca yesterday witnes«cd tho r.ev.- programme, ivhich will be screened again to-day.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRIC. Olive Thomas, who ia featured in "Betty J akca ;i the head-liner in tho new piograinme ecrcenod at Everybody's Theatre proves cs charming an actrc-ss in this as in her Jiiany previous successes. The story is on original lines and was t.hc prizewinner jn the Triangle Company's scenario competition. It lias been produced in tho super-excellent Triangle style with a wealth of detail and in sumptuous settings. Betty, played by Olive Thomas, is a sprightly younr lady with ideas out of the common. In the tcr/iporarv absence of her nuni, who i# a social climber, and aims high, Betty transform- the fashionable mansion into a board inghouse. Tho complications and fun that ensue are most mirth-provoking, and it is nesdleas almost to say that the liappv endinincludes a rich husband for Betty" "Auckland from Aloft" is one of the finest Xcvr /zealand made pictures that have been produced. It describes' all • the phase* of work nt the Auckland Aviation School, and includes many fine views of Auckland and its picturesqus surroundings. The same programme will be screened to-day.

GRAND THEATRE. Tho programme shown at. the Grand Theatro yesterday proved to bo one of the best yet screened at this theatre. Tho first item which claimed attention w«s the remarkable Metro wondorplav "Alias Mrs Jessop," featuring or.e of the most gifted of America's artists, Miss Emily Stevens. Miss Stevens has given us matiy fine performanccs in front of the camera, but it must bo admitted that she has not been seen to such advantage as in "Alias Mrs Jessop." She is truly fine in the dual role of iho two cousins Lillian and Janet Ford, twins in appearance, but as different in srtyz as ifc is possible to Ix>. Throughout Miss Stevens enacted her different parts most powerfully, while she was supported by a strong company. The whole story is etrongly bat delicately worked out, and there ie a most striking climax. The many cxciting scenes have been splendidly staged, especially the sensational raid on a fashionable gambling den-. Tbe supporting pictures were all' good, and included Charles Chaplin in his clever and humorous comedy "One A.M.," in which he excels himself as a solo comedian. "The Co-operative Weekly Gazette" was a most interesting number and Professor Martin was heartily applauded for his excellent vocal items, Tho same programme will b© shown again to-day and to-night. "

STRAND THEATRE. Big attendances were the order of the day and night yesterday at tho Strand Theatre, "'hero two sterling artists, Lou Tcllegen and Mary Fuller head the cast in a Paramount feature "Tho Long Trail." Lou Tcllcgen was already on-o of the world's most famous actors when lie went into piolures, and his success on the screcn hue been unquestioned. He • is the husband of that wonderful American, GeraJdine Farrar. Maa-y Fuller will bo remembered as tho heroine of what was possibly the first ecrecn serial, "What Happened to Mary." The supporting programme includes a splendid Gazette, a comedy, and a travel picture. SKATING RINK. The attendances at aJI sessions of tho Skating Rink yesterday were very large. It is gratifying to record that tho learners' session still shows an increase of patronage, and under the able tuition of Messrs Arthur Power (nlanager) and George Sams (instructor) the pupils make rapid progress. The consequence is that the loarncra gain confidence enough to join the happy evening l throng by whom the floor ia crowded nightly. Not the least enjoyable part of the fun is the music provided by Mr C. Dunn's band. To-day the rink will he open at the usual sessions. j