AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16315, 12 September 1918, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

KATHLENE MACDO"NELL IN "ROMANCE."

The box plans for tie J. C. Williamson Kathlene MacDonell reason Trill b« opened at Mil tier and Thompson's this morning at 9 o'clock. Mies Katiilene Mac Do cell, in association with Mr Charles Waldroii, and a specially 6c-lccled J. C. Williamson companv, will appear at the Theatre on Saturday, in Kichard Sheldon's 3-act play, "Romance." a piece of stage literature that has been widely discuesed., Of "Romance" a • icadiiig Australian critic writes: —"Miss has surprised us all. As the diva Cavallini. -she is admirable: her work is throughout impressive and sincere, her passion burne, and is eonvincin.fr, while her glancing', whimsical humour ia entirely feminine, and utterly charming. She has a voice- splendidly suited to the part, a, yoico of deeply vibrant note®, and eoft occafional undert~i«-«. Shs looks tho part—ahe lives it. Mr Waldron U also said to be uncommonly pood in the character of the young rector, who lovrs ;i ptar of the theatre. i*s disillusioned, ma-lc desperate, upiifte-1 finallv. until in the end he becomes a- bishop, with the memory of a passionate love story. "Roma-rce"' will be played for the /iret four nights of tl>" «=ason, and will bo followed by "The Cinderella Man," a trenchant 3-act play that has "cored a big 1 snccss iti both England ami America. Al«o will be produced another pw piece in "Out-cast." a play much out of the commonplace. The concluding performance will n Tevival of "Daddy Lonsr Le<m." which will be played for. the la-st night of the ec-aror.. OPERA HOUSE. There was a large audience at the Opera House last' night, when the current programme was repeated. Joues and Raines, patter comedian and vocalic, were lecal-ei several times. Wallace row nlo.v, operatic baritons, riurna and Lo C.erc. danc.'ng ani singing duo, and Bessie American comedienne, w/Te all very successful with their respcctivo offerings. "Way Down : n Arizona" was repeated by Mr Walter Georg.'s Sunshine Players, ard was thoroughly enjoyed The programme will bj rep:akd to nigh t. ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. Last night's concert of the Orchestral Society, conducted by Mr Alfred Bunz, was held for the first time at the King's Theatre, undoubtedly to the advantage of full-power orchestral effects. There ure drawbacks, for the brass-tone carries too well above, and '.o the detriment of, the strings. But the ciioice of suitable halls in Chrhtchurch is lamentably small, and we must needs be content. At the head of the orchestral programmo j stood 'the brilliant March from Meyerbeer's "Prophet," which was plaved with fine soirit, and very good ensemble tone, and the quaint Norwegian Dance by Giieg following, given with'refinement, offered a striking contrast. Among the- best performances of th* evening figured the selection from "Cavalleria Kusticana," in whidh particularly the "Intermezzo" and Finale well 'dcservl the ' repetition demanded, and the ' Overture J "Gabrielle" that hnd benefited to a remarkable degree, by the better acquaintance <■{ the members with the work, and the resulting smartness, and spirit in execution. Her-, old's evergreen Overture to "Zampa" was performed with vigour and good swing, but it was here that the strings suffered moat from the supremacy of the brass-tone. A repetition of Mr R. A. Home's "Corisande" and Gounod's "La Colombo" completed the' orchestral programme, designed on popular lino 9. Mr Sunz conducted his well-trained hand with great energy and circumspection, Miss- Rut-tor acting as leader. Mrs Vere Livingstone played with the elegance, taste and finish always in evidence "Gipsy June 3" as piano solo, by Poldini, the Russian composer with the Italian name,-a bright, fanciful piece of music, and as an encore a Romanza by Schumann. To Mr Charles Clarkson, the vocalist of the concert, wo are indebted for a good flaafty aongs of fine English workmanship: on this occasion he introduced a set of three Vaughan Williams's "Songs of Travel," the first, "The Vagabond," iri .characteristic'tone painting of th® subject, the second, -and especially the thud, "Bright is the Ring," v#>ry striking . and beautiful. He had in -Mr ClarJwon a verv good and most "vmno.UWio interpreter. In the second part-Mr Clark«on geve, with much expression, Robandi's melodious "Alia stella confidente," tastefully sunported by Mr A. H. Hanircerjon'e ; 'crllo' I obbligato, and in response to a. recall .feeling- I Jy Tschaikowoky'a great song. "To the Forest." . . i ... A very laree and appreciative atHi""<"~ attended tho concert. but-a good many shilling neate, ch«ap enough for such a fare, remained untenanted. . « . ' "JOAN THE WOMAN."' The Film Corporation's 1 stupendous and. magnificently executed super-photo' play, "Joan iho ' Woman,"' was screened to. largtf.and thbroughly pleaded audiences yesterday; As Joan of Arc, saviour of her country, Geraldine 'Farrar, ■ the world-famed prima donna, lived tHe part,'-and gave reality •to the deep • religiosity and patriotism- that animated'the heroine of France. The .magnificent - spectacular - scenes, including . tho French Court at Chinon Castle, the •departure' of Joan nt the head of the'army for Orleans,; the great attack on Th© Towers,'and the- coronation of. Charles VL .in ■ Rheiins Cathedral, were greatly admired.': The special music aided considerably .in the - audienoesl appreciation of the theme of the-picture. The 'Paramount Gazette screened was notable Ifor views- of - the launching- of the - Faith, ; the largest concrete ship -in the'world. To-day at 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. "Joan the Woman'' •will bo again screened.• QUEEN'S THEATRE. ; • ' A. finely .pictured story pf old Kentucky, "A' Kentucky Cinderella," .in . which Ruth ' Clifford, and Rupert Julian aro featured, a .Mustang drama, and a comedy constituted the attractive programmo shown 'to large audiences at the Queen's Theatre yesterday. The' same films will be screened at all cessions today. * • . ' • STRAND THEATRE. : Seesue.. Hayakawa in "Hidden Pearls," . a romance' of the South Seas, attracted largo audiences to the Strand Theatre yesterday.. "With , its admirable supporting subjects it will' be soreoned at all sessions to-day; EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Under False Colours," featuring Jea.ntio Bagel e, Frederick Wards and Robert Vaughan;-• proved a . great • attraction at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. / Wibh its supporting films it will be eliown again at all sessions to-day. .- GRAND THEATRE. . ' •"A Modern Lorelei" was the attraction at the Grand Theatre yesterday, and was supported by the Charlie Chaplin feature,. "At the Show," and other interesting films. Today at all sessions tho same programme will be -shown.- . • LIBERTY THEATRE. "An Heiress for a Day," the Triangle booiety. drama' featuring Olive Thomas, was a strong attraction at Liberty Theatre yesterday. With supporting films it will bo shown nt all sessions to-day. CHINA. ' —♦ : bandits set fiee to a city. (By Cablo.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, September 0. The. "New York Times" Peking correspondent states that bandits attacked Changsing,. on tho Korean border, '•and set fire to the city. The inhabitants are .fleeing to Vorer. The chief of police and other officials were taken prisoner. . Japanese police are pursuing the bandits. The. revolutionists' continued successes in Southern China endanger tho province of Fukien and the port of Amoy. BECKENHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE. • At the'monthly meeting of the Beckenham School Committee Mrs Heath was appointed caretaker. Thanks wero accorded thoao who had given trees and shrubs for tho grounds. I Motions of sympathy were passed to Mi«f i Foster-in the death of her father, and Mr 1 Gourlav, whose brother has died of wounds in France. The headmaster reported that >■ successful concert had been, given by tho children of the school. . * ■ J 1