AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16359, 2 November 1918, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. "The Scarlet Troubadours" will commence their ■ season iu the Theatre Royal this evening. The programme to bo presented is built on popular lines, and embraces musio and comedy in fairly equal proportions. Amongst the former is an opera tin selection introducing "The Anvil Chorus" from "Trovfttoic"; "Softly Awakes My Heart" (Samson and Delilah), sung by Miss Madoline Knight, and the waltz song from "Romeo and Juliet." Miss Laila ward, soprano, Mr Rann Millar, basso, and Mr William Harrison, tenor, will each be heard in individual items in addition to frequent appearances in the concerted numbers which are a feature of the company's performance. The comedy portion is well represented by Messrs Andrew Pace, George Livingstone, and Reg Hawthorne, assisted by Misß Hilda McMurtry. Amongst the concerted numbers of a humorous order to be presented this evening are "When Zephyrs Blow," announced as a j burlesque on glee singing, and "Down by the Ferry," two items which are Bivid to be extremely funny. Contributions by the comedy male quartet, and an Irish scena, together with a pot-pourri 'of rag-time melodies, provide ample scope for displays of versatility, of which it is claimed 'The Troubadours'' have a large supply. The present company has now been touring the Dominion for nearly four months, and, it is reported, with great success. The programmes are claimed to be bright and wholesome, and free from any suggestion of vulgarity. The special engagement is announced of Mr Kihgsley Chapman and Miss Lenore Graham, a musical comedy duo whose previous appearances in this city in bright musical sketches t are favonrnbly remembered. The musical director iB Mr Kennedy Black. The plan is at The Bristol till midday, and later at the Toy Cave Sweets Stall.

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS. The popularity of the Fisk Jubilee Singers was evidenced by the large and appreciative audience which gathered "in the King s Theatre last evening, when the previous evening s programme was repeated. Applause was frequent. The same programme will be given at to-night's performance. OPERA HOUSE. There was a large audience at the Opera House again last evening, and_the various items submitted met with considerable appreciation. Miss Nellie Kolie, as usual, got ft great reception, and iho comedy work of The Gilberts was greatly to the taste ot the audienco. Boy lionham (111 contortionist feats)* the Leesoes artists), and. the Homaz Trio (acrobats; were all well received, Mr Al. Bruce and his company of Rosebuds repeated "Lulu,' which went well throughout. The usual matinee will be held today, and the programme will be repeated this evening. . ... On Monday the company will stage th® l * fourth rem© entitled "Tho Candy Ship,' said to be one of its best, and Gale and Sadie (dance and song artists) will commence a meson here.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Crowded houses were again the feature a the Crystal Jfalace Theatre when "Tho lunooant Sinner," 'Under Two Flags ' and supporting programme were repeated. They will be screened again to-day. Monday's programme will be headed by 'mine U.5.A.," featuring Miss June Caprice, a story stated to i/e full of patriotic thri.is. For years tharo had been enmity between the houses of \V arfield and Lenoir, two of the oldest families in Virginia. Eugene Lenoir, an elder brother and possessor of vast estates in Virginia, had married Major Warfield's sister. Ho died and his widow survived him only a Bhort time. The property went to Gabriel Lenoir, a younger brother who was uwn as a selfish, unscrupulous man. house, "Hidden Hand,' was shunned by the neighbours. It was always a closed and shuttered place of mystery. When the story opens Nanoe Wi.son, Mrs Warfield's old nurse returns and Major Warfield leans that before his sister died she had given birth to a girl and that Lenoir to remove all obstacles to his path to the fortune, had forced the nurse to take an oath that she would kill the child. The nurse, however, went to New York and placed the child with a family in the tenement district. The major hurries to New xorJc and returns with the now grown-up girl, She had been chtistsnfcd Capitola. The major announces tho child is Mies Black his "ward. Herbert Grayson, a neighbour, and Clay Wmfield, the. major's son, Doth fall in love Capitola. When the United States declared! way on Germany tho whole district was inflamed with patriotism. The news is announced from the Post Office, and Capito.a the outlying district, particularly to a lumber rump where Grayson is in charge. A. min"lary ctunp is established, ajid Capitola is a welcomed visitor there. Soon tho discovery is made that a German spy system is at work in the neighbourhood. Wireless messages in a strange code are picked up and Grayson is one of the men detailed to ferret out the meu involved. The first clue Grayson gets to the leader of the spies is when he sees Black Diamond a mountaineer henchman of Gabriel Lenoir at a cache in the woods where wireless fittings have been hidden. He is overcome in the struggle, and Black Diamond is preparing to knife him when Capitola appears and knocks the knife from tho desperado's hand. Black Diamond escapes and tells Lenoir, who determines to put both Grayson and Capitola out of the war. The next day Capitola, fired with a desire to serve her country, steals from her home and comes upom Lenoir and Black Diamond together. She feels suro Lenoir is chief of the Bpies. She gels into Lenoir s houso, ecgb til© wireless outfit, and finds memoranda proving that Lenoir is a traitor. She is discovered by Lenoir. Soon Grayson cornea in and eaves her from death. Lenoir is taken to camp. Major "Warfield goea there and tells all he knowa about Lenoir, and particularly about the attempt to murder his sister's baby years ago. Black Diamond in tho meantime gets into Warfield's house and meets Capitola in her bedroom. Clay Warfield, the son, goes to Capitola's aid, but he is overcome, and tho desperado returns to finish Capitola. Ho steps on a trap door that had served as an entrance to a secret passage during the Civil War. Capitola springs the trap and Black Diamond plunges down the shaft. A second later the Major, Grayson, and soldiers dash into the room. Capitola points to the floor and then falls fainting into the arms of Grayson, the Major looking on with .approval. There is an excellent supporting programme, including a new and up-to-date Roscoe Arbuckle comedy "Moonshine." "Tho Wifeless Husband," and the latest "Topical Gazette." At the night session Miss Millicent Jennings and Mr James Cocks will appear in the following duafs, "Still as the Night'' and "Land or the Long Ago." There will lie a full orchestral accompaniment Cy the Crystal Palace orchestra.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "His Mother's Boy" and supporting. programme, resulted in further good audiences at tne (Queen's Theatre yeateruay. The same pictures will be screened to-uay. Next week the star production will be "Riinrock "Jones. Henry Jones, known to his friends as "Rimrock Jonee," a miner and prospector, iias located a rich mine in Arizona, around which has spiung up tho flourishing town of Gunsight, of which "Kimrock" is practically the owner and chief citizcn. This prosperity does not last long, however, for one Andrew Mcßaiu, a crooked lawyer, before the opening of the stoiy has unearthed an ancient law, which provides the holder of the top, or apex, of a vein can claim the entire mine. By this trick he succoeded in taking possession of "Itiwrock's" property. The latter becomes a penniless hanger-on at the town, unitl, pulling himaelf together, he mysteriously disappears. .Returning several months, "Kimrock" announces that he hw found another and still richer I fu ne >, r.ced3 about two thousand dollars to develop it. His one-time friends sneer at him, and he is about to give up in dcspJur, "when he overhears Mcßam's voice dictating to t Jlary Fortune, a public stenographer, and a newcomer in the town. Jones resolves that Mcßain, who stole his old mine, shall stake him to tho new one, and dives into +he office, demanding the money Mcßain runs for his life, and Jones finds himself i«t with Marv, to whom he te-Is the * ,' e story. Mary has come to Gunsight for two reasons, the first to regain her health, which has impaired her hearing, making necessarv the use of an ear trumpet, an eecond, 'to rcoonp a fortune 'f, '[, East. It is the thought of this that her oSec her entire savings, about two thousand dollars, to Joass, aa she says has always to invest in a nnne. Afler some argument Jones does accept monev, and rides back across the desert t his mine. Hew Jones finally wn« °° t -..T h th» help of Mary Fortune, makes a thrilling and realistic photo-play. Supporting pictures will comuriso a Koscoe Arbuckie coracdr, "Fatty in Coney Island, the Amertcan Gazette," and the "Australian *ette." XORMA TALMADGE in "THE MOTH." A woman boating her impatient wings against tha flaming bars of convention, busn is tha theme of "The Moth,' the feature rirnTrm gt<cnng Xoxnia Talmtdse, which is to be ecreenea at Evervbody's Theatre next week. It is the story of a young who hzd leapt from childhood to womanhood before she had time to be a girl. one wanted to flirt her way into immortality Cleopatra h?.d done. Her marriage is disastrously unhappy. She fail® realise th jays which her children ehcru.d give her. Ho life drifts along for the Moth, fluttering constantly shout the flame

rf her own folly, until tha • appe*rano» of a and fiinttiioui soldier ot fortune. Hi* attentions Bring her nearer and nearer to the danger marie. The intensity increases, becomes mora breathless, thrill lollowi thrill, expectation reel* dixxily, until tha climax oi tne drama borate in a glory ot happiness. The story baa immense emotional possibilities, and Norma Talmaatf* can alwaya be depended on to get full Talue from them. It is not till she turns from the frivolities of life to the sacred pleasure oi her own children's company that she linae any contentment and then sho has no sooner found it than her past indiscretions threaten to recoil upon her and crush her. The climax is thrilling and the dramatic situations are finely contrived. Elegance is an outstanding feature of the production, elegance ot dress, of picture. The story ends "***" pily, but not till "The Moth" baa hod her ■wings considerably scorched. During the day sessions there will be »n extra attraction, "Rupert of Hentzau," the sequel to "The Piiaoner of Zenda." This *wtn programme, headed by "Bioken Ties, was re peated at yesterday's sessions, and will be i screened finally to-day..

STRAND THEATRE. The star picture of the new programme, to be screened at the Strand Theatre is "Huck and Tom.'' featuring Jack 1 icSford. Tom Sawyer and Huck l*inn are observed adding to their previous escapades by sneaking ofl one dark, dismal night to in* village cemctery where, uudey illicit 0 direction, the boys are to banish warts through a number of weird incantations, in which a dead cat is chiefly concerned. While engaged in this grucsonio task, they discover Muff Potter, a human the town, Injun Joe, and a "•body-snatcher about to dig open •» grave. In a meleo which follows an argument over pay for the services of Joe and Potter, the half-breed siaos the "Doctor," and, putting the knife into Muff Potter's hand, convinces the old man that he had done the deed. Huck and Tom Bwear to each other the deepest secrecy concerning the affair, and eneak away from the scene, while Injun Joe and Muff Potter also mako' their escape. The next day the whole town is agog over the discovery of a body in the graveyard. The big event of the village is the trial of Muff Potter, who is soon accused of tho murder. Judge Thatcher in in the chair; Injun Joe. Muff •Potter, and Tom Sawyer are called to the witness stand. Tom tearfully relates what he saw in the graveyard, and at his recital Injun < 7 oe leaps through a window anc makes his eacape from the Court-room, Further adventures follow, Rad finally Tom leads Huck Finn to a box of treasures. GRAND THEATRE. To-day and to-night will see tno final I screening of the present programme at. the Grand Theatre, comprising Harold Lockwood in "The Landloper," Fatty Arbucklo in "Falty's Seaside Lovers," "Tho Great Secret, No. 10," "Canada Spreads Her War Winjjs." and "The Ourang Outang." There will be a complete change of programme on Monday, when thero will be an especially strong programme. The world's gTeat favourite, Mary Miles Minter, will be the principal attraction in a picturisation of Whittier's famous novel "Barbara Frietchic." The role of "Barbara" is said to be distinctly different to anything Miss Minter has essayed in«her past work on the screen. The _ supporting programme is a strong one, and inoludes, in addition to the eleventh chapter of "The Great Secret" serial, an excellent comedy.

LIBERTY THEATRE. "X know lam for enle.- But the least price must be marriage." That is tho theme of the big feature drama, "I Want My Children," which ia to be produced at the Liberty Theatre next week. It ia the atopr of a girl who was offered for purchase in that modern market where women s bodies and souls are tho goods. _ GarsOn Stewart has been tuoceasful as a mine operator and part-owner. Millioent Drake, daughter 01 aristocratic parents, has been singled out by her mother as tho proper wife for young Van Tylc, a social fop. On a visit to Van Tyle's "mountain lodge, Milliceni meets Ste•wart. "While sight-seeing in hia mine, an explosion occurs: he rescues Millicent. The two fall in love. Stewart is invited to visit the Drakes in tho East. He does so, an,d while there marcies Millicent. He expresses ft deffir© for children to brighten th© home. His wife's mother persuades her daughter to avoid motherhood. Stewart learns of his mother-in-law's influence and denounces both her and his wife. He leaves, returning to the West. Later his wife arrives with a "little partner," and there ia a happy reunion. A powerful moral lesson Is conveyed in this Triangle drama. The leading parts are played by Alma Reubens _ and William Desmond. Tho picture ia claimed to constitute a strong indiotment against one of the greatest of social vices. The story is well produced and holds the interest at hieh tension. A bi* Gimp or ting picture is "The Interloper." a World production, featuring Miss Kitty Gordon. This week'# j'rogramme, wlf'ch/includes "The Splendid Sinner" and "Pants. ' ws* screened at yesterday's sessions, and will be repeated finally to^day.

PROFESSOR BARRADEN. To-ni?ht Professor R. A. Bamdon, the hypnotist, -will open a farewell season of seven' nights in the Colosseum. A large stage has been erected, and the Colosseum is an ideal theatre for a performance of the kind given by Professor Barraden. Tonight's bier feature -will be the hypnotic brass band. Professor Barraden has secured a !»et of brass instruments, and under his influence he irill make his local subjects imagine that they are great musicians. This •will be thra first time such a test has been given in Christohurch, and it -will prove a bis draw. Other features of the entertainments will be scenes described as 'T?he Tightrope Walkers" and "Toothache." To-night's performance -will commence at • 8 o'cloeit sharp. The doors will be opened at 7.1S p.m.

GRAND COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. In the Choral -Hall on Monday evening a concert will be given as a benefit performance by Mesdames Gower-Burns and Wm. Wilson, in aid of the fundß of the Christchurch Musical Society, which holds the distinction of being tho oldest of its kind in Australasia. Next year it will complete the 60th year of its existence, and will thus attain its "Diamond Jubilee." A helping hffnd ha 3 been held out to the" Society by some of the musical organisations of Christchurch, aid thus an unusual wealth of talent will characterise the concert, and an exception opportunity will be offered to our Carnival visitors to make the acquaintance of the la'ost developments of musical art in the city. A full programme, together with particulars of tickets and booking, will be found in the advertising columns. SCOTTISH CONCERTS. Under Ihe auspices of the Canterbury Caledonian Society. Scottish concerts will be given in the King's Theatre next Thursday and Friday evenings.. Scottish songs and stories will be contributed by tho loading Soottish artists in the Dominion, and tho programme will be well diversified.