AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16206, 8 May 1918, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

theatre royal. Mr Sydney James's Xew Revue Company last evening again lived up to tho k 1 ?" putation it has earned in Christchurch and presented a diversified programme, which was received with tho greatest appreciation by tho audience. Tho programme wi.l bo npeated thia evening. OPERA HOrSE. ThereVwas again a very large attendance at the Opera House last evening, when tho current programme was repeated. Amongst the vaudeville turns tho very fine dancing of Hamlyn and Mack was particularly well received. Other popular items were that giren by Bonita and Lee, a sharp-fihooting and v.hip-cracking act, and the exceptionally taking little turn provided by Mandeno's Dogs. The most intelligently performed feats of theee animals, moro especially the comcdy work of "Spud," evoked tho greatest admiration. The Haverley Revue _ Company successfully repeated "Muldoon's Picnic," the inuaical numbers all earning an encore.. Tho same programme will be given to-night. BENT3PIT MATINEE THIS AFTERNOON. Great interest is being taken in tho matinee performance to be given at the Opera House thi3 afternoon, in aid of funds to assist a popular member of Messrs Fullers' '.heatrienl stafl, Miss Lydia Carne. Mies Carr.e i 3 very slowly recovering from the effects of a 6erio-8 operation which she was fompellcd to undergo in February last, and which will prevent her reappearing on the stage for some months to come. Miss Carne );:is charmcd many an audience in Christriiurch by her exceptionally neat and attractive dancing and clever imitations of music-hail stars, and for this reason alone it H safe to predict that the public will be cr.lv too pleaded to give her a little ossiet.mco. The prices for admission tickets, 39, in, mid Is, arc indeed email when one takes a glnncc at the exceptionally strong programme to bo presented. The members of Messrs Fuller and Sons' company who will contribute to the bill are Ham'lyn and Mack, the Kuto Kewpio Kids, iionita and Lee, Miss Claire Lloyd, the Five Lewins, Mr Billy Moloney, and Mandeno's Doga. In addition to these artists the following members of Mr Sydney James's high-claw revue company have generously offered their assistance: —Mr Sydney James and "Billy," Messrs G. W. Deamond and Goo. Graystono, Misses Madeline Rossi tor, Josie Jackson, Ira Brssett, and Queenio Tronberth. Such a combination of brilliant talent haa never before appeared on a vaudeville stage, so tho publio can rest assured that they will get more than their money's worth. Mr Tom Haverley will act as official annotraoer, and tho entertainment is timed to commence at p.m. sharp. Seats may be reserved this morning at Milner and Thompson's. "A TALE OF TWO CITIES."

Few works ai fiction respond to tKo -touohstone of reality with euch fullness iva does Dickens's historical novel, "A Tala of Two Cities." It is felt, in reading: this work, that tho characters liavo been drawn with such fidelity that they appear almost to breathe and live. The consummate art displayed by Dickcns in constructing the romance and in creating tho characters is ulmoßt equalled by the attention to detail, by tho admirable settings, and by the general high standard of the William Fox production of the cinematograph adaptation of tho world-famous etory. In every eense the cinematograph producer has risen to "tho requirement of so great a theme as that underlying and animating "A Tale of Two Cities." Tho don bio part of Charles Darnay—the brilliant and gracious young French nobleman —and of Sidney Carton—the English barrister who appears to havo lost all sens© of honour and all tho iiner feelings that go to mako a gentleman—ie not ono easily sustained even by the most talented of actore. "William Farnum gives nn admirable, consistent, and artistio rendering of both part 9, and rises to true genius in tho great scene in which Sidney Carton takes tho place of tho French aristocrat on the platform of tho_ terrible guillotine, yesterday's crowded audiences at tho Crystal Palaco and at Starland thoroughly enjoyed the excellent artistry of this masterpiece film, which, with its supporting pictures. will bo again screened to-day at both theatres. Among thoso present at Crystal Palace Inst night was a largo party of lads irom Christ's College. "POLLY OF THE CIRCUS." "Polly of tho Circus," an elaborate screen presentation of Margaret Mayo'a great drama of circus life, is the eecond of tho beautiful productions to be released by the new Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Mae Marsh _is the star of this great photo spectacle, which is to b© screened all next week at Everybody's Theatre. "Polly of tho Circus," as a drama, was one of the greatest euccoeees of the stage, and is understood to have made a fortune for its authors and owner. In film it takes its place as one of the most remarkablo productions over made. It is a romance of the sawdust ring, and ha« been termed "the classic of the Big Tops." The picture is filled with realistic ecenee of circus life, the moat thrilling of which is a fire in the big [ tont and the stampede of tho audien-ce. It required a fully equipped circus to produce thia Tealism, and spectators are permitted to see a complete circus performance on the screen; the arrival of a circus in the town at daybreak, the great street parade, the departure in the black of night. What is claimed to bo the greatest horse raco ever put on the screen is another of tho thrilling incidents of this remarkable picture. Tie production is on n gorgeous scale, and ia an example lof perfect photography. A specially Btrengthened orchestra has been arranged under the direction of Mr W., J, Bellingham, and although the production is a super-feature and a Goldwyn, the prices will not be raised. Reserved scats may bo booked at Milner and Thompson s or by 'phoning 30*25.

LIBERTY THEATRE. ~T ho, attention-arresting' and thoughtstimulating film, "Enlighten Thy Daughter," was witnessed by large audiences at a li sessions at the Liberty Theatre yesterday. Some question tho suitability of tho cinematograph to convey lessons of high moral value, but there have been shown in Christchurch several films which have dealt effectively and yot decorously with such lifco and similar questions. "Enlighten Thy Daughter," the object of which is to emphasise tho dangers attendant on ignorance of the facts of life, can be classed with those productions which have proved real powers for goo%l. The jiLm features Kubye de Remer and Zeena Kcefe, whose presentation of th© characters they represent is marked by high dramatic artistry. At tho night session a specially augmented orchestra contributes, suitable selections. To-day and this evening tho star film, with supporting subjects, will bo again screened. QUEEN'S THEATRE. In "Southern Pride," which hedds the new programme at tho Queen's Theatre, what might bo considered 911 impossibility for cinematography, tho faithful reproduction of :t.i old timo atmosphere, is successfully accomplished. Tho horoine, acted by Gail Kane, is a typical descendant of the Creoles of tho Southern States, and she portrays the character with great fidelity. The other participants in tho action of the story are similarly represented by players who have realised tho spirit of "the old South." In other respects, in the clcso attention, paid to furnishings of interiors, in tho realistic representation' .of the narrow and serpentine streets of New Orleans, the film carries tho stamp of real genius in producing the effect desired. Tho supporting films are "Curley Corless," a cowboy drama, "Walk This Wriy," a Beauty comedy, and "Matty's Love Affair," a juvenile comedy. Large attendances were recorded yesterday, and the same programme will be screened to-day. s EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Betty Takes a Hand," the head liner at Everybody's Theatre, in which charming Olive Thomas is starred, drew largo audiences yesterday. The same film with it supports, including "Auckland from Aloft," wDI be screened to-day. STRAND THEATRE. Excellent attendances were recorded at the Strand Theatre yesterday, when the Famous Players production, "The Long Trail," featuring liou Tellegen and Mary Fuller, was again screened. With the supporting subjects it will be screened again to-day. GRAND THEATRE. "Alias Mrs Jessop," starring Emily Stevens, drew large attendances at all evasions of the Grand Theatre yesterday. With the supporting films it will be screened again to4lay. SKATING RISK. Yesterday's sessions at the Skating Rink were again very largely attended. From the opening hour at 10 a.m. a large number of school children were to bo seen enjoying this most beneficial exercise. In the afternoon there was also a big attendance, while the patronage at the learners' session (5.30 p.m. to "t p.m.) was so great as to keep "the instructors eioeedingly busy for the full hour and a half. v At, night -there was a wry large crowd on the floor, being spurred on by the lively music of it C. Dunn's band, which played for the first time "The Dream of Hampshire" (waltz) and the popular twostep "Oh, Johnny." The rink will bo open ! at the usual houn to-day and to-night.

"SEVEX DATS* LEAVE." Messrs fsen J. and John Fuller, iu®., announce for Tuesday next at the Theatre Royal the coming of Jfr Allan "Wilkie. the famous .English loading man, supported bjr a strong cast, in Waller Howard's I'test play of submarine and «py menaoe, entitled "Seven Days' Leave." This play is at present having a successful run at the Lyceum Theatre, London, having already been piayed there for over a year, and for nine weeks at the Gra-nd Opera House, Sydney, and twelve weeks at tho Princess Theatre, Melbourne. The play deals thrillinsly with -the adventures of ft British officer on seven days' loovo, and it shows with exciting detail bow a treacherous U-boat vr3s lured to ita destruction by a brave girl. The sinking- of the mibmarine ia described as a wonderful piece of stage mechanism, while the art of the ecenio artist is said to bo seen in many picturesque settings, which include the interior of a German military hospital and the telling episode of the dedication of a fihrino to fallen heroes. The spy menace i 3 said to be dealt with in masterly manner, and never fails to impose an irresistible grip on an audience. The author, it is claimed, has struck notes which are sure of an echo in the Jiearte of the people. Messrs Fuller have decided to charge low rates of admission, notwithstanding the great expense of the attraction. Tho bos plan will bo at Tho Bristol Piano Company on Friday morning, and tho day sales at tho Toy Cave. No extra charge is being made for booking. Tho second production by Mr Allan Wilkie is entitled "Tho Story of the Rosary," and is described ae a wonderful love story of a pure woman and a gallant eoldier.