AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16515, 10 June 1919, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. "OH. OH, DELPHINE" TO-NIGHT. Tho Snal poriormor.e" of piven 'or the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company in the Th-ratre Royal last r.-»ht, before a crowded audience. To-n'-ht the co*npar.y will present, for the first time in Chris'chureh the tuneful nvisicul "Oh, Oh. w-iirh is ranked as one of the best works the Royal Comic Opera Companv has produced. By ail ccconnte the parts ir.i-.'ht l>av« been specially written to suit tiio particular tal-ntg "of the variovs artists that make up this popular organisation. C. S. McLennen is r« x>nsib!e for the "book" of "Ch, Oh, TVsHr.c," and Ivan Caryl! and Lionel J'onekton for the mr?ic, and it is claimed that t'M3 HinalcamEtion of kimv'.-dr-j md talent ha.s resume*! in a most enlertainin? rnuiicci comedy. The plot is una nuwi, and runs on highly interesting iin«s, and »ts humour is heightened by a number of intensely ludicrous situations, darinjr, ur.cj orii-inal. O: th" beautr and vi-ietv of the music report, speaks highly. The composers have rism to the occasion, *A:!:) the 'that the pifen is renlcte with bright • numbers, many of which wi'l nn doubt prove a soiirca of pleasure to fae ir iltitud -1 , and perennial joy to th<> whistling hoy. The following are amongst the numbers that rre likely to become especially popular:—"Oh, ■ Oh. Delr-hine," "Po-ine for V.-nm, ' "Alitalia. Googoo," "Con we Forget?" "Tho Maxim Girl," "Oo la Birnl-ou'"Every-thing's at Horn'- except your Wife," "The Waltz," "Then all come Along," and "Captain Dinklcpop." "Katinka" will be revived on Friday nig-ht. Tho box plans for the remainder of th© seaeon are at Milnc-r ajid Thompson's. OPERA HOUSE. Thoro was auotner appreciu iiv© audience at the opera iio.ue iast iiiyiit, wuen a very meritorious progiLUume ot re/intd vaudc-vi.ia was suuimUtci. A weicomo reuppearauce wua that of Ucndy bale and Aiphoase, euteitaineis at tne piuao, who appeared iu a number , ol now boiib's aud duos, 'ilicy suug "Aiarylaud" and "How a Ever>tfling in Uld J«e.v and Aiphonse diu some clever Yidaisli patter ana sang ' lvuiy," wuiio Wendy Dale sang a cute little oong, "1 Giusa." These artista had a rousing reception and were heartily encoic-d at tho conclusion of their turn. Jose .baptist© has quickly established herself aa a favourite with Opera House patrona. Last night her contributions to tho programme were a couple of claeeioal and ragtime numbers, while she danced delightfully, her quaint costume adding to the delightful unusuaiity of her act. Murfayne, the "King of the Xylophone," played a" couple of medleys, operatic and popular, on his instrument with the mastery which has come to be associated with him. He had his usual good reception from appreciative listeners. Louis W. Bloy, the celebrated banjo player, played scveial medleys, and also "Massa'a in de Cold, Cold Ground" with variations, this being a very popular item. Bloy is appearing during this week only, so lovers of the' banjo should make a point of hearing this master of hia instrument before his short Beason ends. Marjorio' Alwynne, the favourite Australian contralto, sang "Trooper Johnny Ludlow" with fino dramatic feeling, and as a eccond number gave " 'Twos a Rose That Made Me Love You." An act that increases in popularity ns tho artists romai i in this city is that of tho Klontos, phenomenal equilibrists and gymnasts. Their turn this week includes several entirely now and amazing stunts of equilibrium and strength, for which they received unstinted applause. The audience is alwayß assured of several minutes' genuine fun when Jolly John Larkin, the black comedian, makes hia apparance. His offering last r.ight was in no way disappointing in this rcepect, for ho told some exceedingly funny stories, and sang a couple of humorous songs. Genuine regret will be felt that Pollard and Jackson have entered upon tho last nights of their engagement. These artists have been eight weeks at tho Opera House, and judging by their reception last night, might well be kopt hero for several weeks still. They sang operatic and popular numbers, showing a fine judgment of their audience's taste. Also in tlieix laflt nights aio the Campbells—Colin and Jock—who do wonderful things with their concertinas and ting tunefully. Their numbers were {or tho most part medleva. Reggiardo, the juggler and equilibrist, also provided an enjoyable torn, which concluded with somo sword-swallowing extraordinary. The eamo programme will bo repeated throughout the. week. Next Saturday night a special feature will be added .to the programme in the shape of an amateur competition. This is to be judged by the audience, and according to their applause so will the special prizes bo accorded. Intending competitors are requested to send particulars of their turns t+ the manager. SONG RECITAL. I At the Masonio Hall laet night Mr Sidney Williamson resumed, for the ninth year, since i their inauguration, tiiow meritorious recitals in wnich he gathers together on each j occasion a budget ot beautiful eongs, i'rcnch, German, and Italian, by great modern songwriters. In the composition of his proindeed, he stands alone. Lost ; night hia choice fell almost exclusively upon i songs that had been introduced by him at tor- ] mer rcciUils, and had found high appreciation. "The Little Dustman," "The Almond,. Tree ] and Devotion," "Sir Spring," "J'ai Pleuxeen lieve," "When Thou Goest to Thy Flowers," : ftiirl "Au Paye" appeared among the" aost < favoured of the collection. An operatic aria I from Verdi's "Ballo in Maschera" was also 1 a prominently effective number, _ wherein Mr ) Williamson's best tone was available. But < apparently he. suffered still from the drawbacks of a severe cold.- So many songs of a { light character were included, and either in- i tentionally or unavoidably he reduced his tone to a minimum that made it,_ and the f worda in consequence, almost indistinct half, way down the hall, so that it seemed impo3- i eible for him to do himself justice. ( . His associate, Miss Ethel Johnson, gains j confidence and control with every reappear- i ance, and she earned the warmest applause 1 of the particularly with Alice Forrester's "Search Me, O God," a good composition, with Robert Franz'® "Dedication, and f one of her enooiea, "When I Awake." To- < gether with Mr Williamson, she sang an in- e teresting duet by Chominade. Upon Dr. ' Leslie Crooke devolved tho big task of largely intricate accompaniments. He had worked ' them up conscientiously and thoroughly, and < ho supported tho singere well right through a, generous programme.

CRYSTAL PALACE. "American Bu&i," the headliner of the new and varied programme shown for the first ■time at the Crystal Palace yesterday, features thcee well-known and clever juvenile leads Jano and Kalherine .bee. "American Bude" is a William Fox production, in which the two girls, appear bb orphan children. Tie story is noteworthy for the charming comedy situations which characterise it. In "The Debt of Hononr" Peggy Hvland takes the leading part in a society drama of groat interest. There are several pleasing supporting films, and at the evening session the orchestra played . a number of specially selected piecea. This afternoon and evening the eamo films will be screened. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new programme shown for the first time yesterday at the Queen's Theatre is a particularly strong one. The ever-popular Charlie Chaplin appeared to great advantage in the burlesque of the well-known opera "Carmen." As a toreador the inimitable Chaplin scores heavily, and his grotesque antics are responsible for much merriment; in fact the laughter scarcely oeaaes all the time. In "Vanity and Some Sables," an adaptation -of one of O. Henry's stories, Wallace McDonald and Mildred 12xnmng take leading parts, and are highly successful in interpreting the characters of the prince of short story-tellers. Supporting films are the ootnedy"The Summer Girl" and a topical Budget. This afternoon an evening the same films will be shown. STRAND THEATRE. The new programme, headed by "La Tosca" (featuring Pauline Frederick) and "In Pursuit of Polly" (starring. Billie Burke), was successful screened yesterday, and will be shown again this afternoon and evening. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Florence Reed, one of the most interesting figures of the stage and the screen in America, is starred in a gorgeous production which is being screened at Everybody's Theatre this week. The play is "The Eternal Sin," and is a etory of the time of the Borgias, Florence Reed enacting the part of the famous (or infamous) Lucrezia Borgia. The mounting of the piece is on a scale of great, magnificence, and there are some scenes of exquisite beauty. Additional items are "Patsy." a sweetly pretty play featuring winsome June Caprice, episode 14 of the Pa the serial, "The House of Hate," a comedy picture, and an interesting topical Gazette. GRAND THEATRE The Grand Theatre management is making a Epecial offering tlm week. First on the very attractive bill is "The Life Mask," star- i ring the beautiful Polish actress Olga j Potrova. The story concerns a murder mys- . tcry. A man hated of all is killed, and the •' plot concerns the finding of his murdereT. 1 Ulga Petrova 13 seen in her greatest and most artistic performance to date. - The j dressing and mounting of "The Life Maek" j is on a very lavish scale, and Madam®! Petrova's go'wns are literally a reveiation ( j Also on the programme is "Pidgin Island," ; adapted from Haro.d McGrath's story of that ' nnjruv Harold Lockwood and May Allison

have the leading parts. The. fco'.bßll match. Maoris v. Canterbury, is also scie»ned, this proving a irr.-nt attraction to the footballloving section of the community. LIBERTY 1 A gripping drama of primitive emotion mnd passion is screcnod at the Liberty Theatre , this wol:. This is "Laughing Bill Hyde," a 0 Rx B?ach super-feature. It is a dramatic { piny of r?dcmp".ion, and Rex l>ach has put some o: the strongest work of his career into „ i: Th? chief figure. Bii!," i 3 1 onnctrd br Will Rogers, the famous whip one! lariat-thro v;n; eyprrt, who is also one » of America's for.-n:ost comedians, and appears v.-;(h t!ie Zi?-Tfield Fol'ies. Th? ei'.pportin? ■' bill iae!:-d-s a d-Jlishtful picture in which : ]>-cr Koilr, a f.'ni sctr'ts whi is coming r rsnHlv to tha foro, is starred, a topeal ' Crrjctte. end a hilarious comccy. The Lib--1 e-.tr" piop-nnm- 1 is ono of the Ivest offerings j in town this v.'eok. I | ; 1 ' The charming singer of the J.C. Wil- ' ]!:<-n?on ''KntuiUa" and "playtime" j j Companies. SjJ'ney. Australia, Miss . Gh'dvs Moncneff, speaks I:iirlilv of Cle- . monts Tonic as a nerve medicine. Miss Moncrieff, nipht-ly subject- to the f ! nerve tost of a great- artist in snccess- ' fu'lv portraying an exacting role, is. through rersonil use able to judge this rare ireilicine on its merits. She writes ? thus: — , ■ •'Svr!nc"v October 10th. 191 S. - "C T TEXTS TOXTC. LTD.. 0 "Heavy temperamental endurances, " with climatic changes on innumerable j tours, hrins the nerves to, a condition requiring a jrond tonic. "I must confess at times I have been 1 clrh:o'is in hpiit»vin<r that certain medicines would brine: about a complete improvement to an overstrained nerve condition. "However. I am pleased to inform you that, through the recent pood use of Clements Tonic, nil my doubts have been dispelled and I have found that your Tonic has proved a. benefaction to my health. "Yours faithfullv. "GLADYS MONCRIEFF." Undoubtedly Clements Tonic is the for the Theatrical -Profession, as other fjreat favourite artists have declared. through using and benefitting from it. It restores nerve power, gives confidence, creates henlthy and natural appetite, imnroves the voice, strength, and generally tones up the system. AH Chemists and Stores sell it in New Zealand. , Price. 3s per bottle.