AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16547, 12 June 1919, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

ROYAL COinC OPERA COMPACT. "OH! OH! DELPHIXE." The Theatre Royal was packed lwt even- . ing with another appreciative audience, when tho J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Open*. Company repeated the delightful musical comedy, "Oh! Oh I Delphine." The catchy numbers, dainty dancing, and bright dialogue provided a charming ontertauunent, ! which will be repeated this evening. "KATINKA." Since it was originally stnged in Now Zealand, "Ka'.inka," which is to be revived here to-morrow night nnd the tv.-o following evenings, tho J. C. Williamson," Ltd., management has expended a l«rge gum of money i on new and magnificent dresses and scenic effects, end the piece wi'l be presented with exact.y the same cast of characters which materially assisted in making it the most i j popular comic opera staged in Australia since "Tho Merry Widow."' As a matter of fact, ' r 'lvalinka" beats tho records established in Melbourne by Franz Lehar's opera, and in t'ydncy it was only the fact that it hud to tnoke wr.y for another attraction, which prevented it from breaking the rero»d at £t:s Jvlnjesty's Theatre, Sydney "Katinka" is • irresistibly fascinating, and ba3 commanded I success wherever it has been staged. The I waltz rffrnin. which threads its way through | the whole of the three nct3, has been hummed anu whistled in almost every portion of <ho Enslish-spenking world. Both. Mr Phil Smith and Mr Lcs'ie Holland have excellent parts for fun-making nnd Misi F'orcnrß Young, Mi a s Gladys MoncricS, MY Reginald Roberts, Miss Olive Gcdwin, and Mr Jack Kn's'on have po<xJ siiig-ing pr.rts. The peason will on Tuesday, when "The Pink Lady" will ba revived. MTTCKFLL'S CONCERT. Miss Vera Mitchell, who introduced herself so favourcbly as 'cello soloist at the last Orchestra! bocieiy s concert, appeared at tho Choral Hall last night in a recita. of her own, which attracted a large audience, 'ihe talented young lady amply lnifii.ed the piorniso of her debut in a eearcning programme. Her tone is good and true, her technique excellent, shop.ays with artistic senae and taste, and enters fully into the manifold styles of her chosen task. Whatever eae docs, reveals sound and good schooling. As this appearance means in reality the opening of the gifted young lady's doubtless successful musical career, it may be permissible to point cut that the road to fu.ther progress lies in the acquisition of a broader, deeper tono that comes from the very heart of tho beautiful instrument. Her programme drew largely, upon the old "masters, three movements from a Boccherini Sonata in the van, written dexterously in the good style of tho period which may bo termed the golden ago for the virtuosi on strings. The piano had not then entered into rivalry, the orchestra had not passed the embrvonio stage. Tho sonata sml appeals mild.y. More modern ideas were forthcoming in Haydn's two movements from a Cello Concerto, including a beautiful' Adagio. The Bach Minuettoe, for 'cello alone, are moro interesting than grateful. A charming talent cut off in the prime was revcalod in four short pieces by Pur cell Warren, a victim of the war. Tho happiest selection was made in the last group presented, namely, a love.y "Air" by Matheson, impregnated with Bach ideals, a lovely ''Minuetto" by Gluck, "Bourreo" by Handel, Golterman's "La Foi," and Popper's ' Arlequin." Very pretty encores were contributed in tho New Zealander Trowe.'a "Irish Lullaby," end another "Lullaby" by Claude. Mias Vera Mitchell was well and sympathetically accompanied by Miss- Kthei Mitchell. Mr Rex Harrison, in fine voice, 6ang with great expression and excellent conception the "i'ro.oguo" to Payliacci, 'ipchaikowsky's great song "To the Forest"; in tho second part three songs by Wilfrid Sanderson, the contrasts well brought home -by tho able singer, who then added forcelully the "Trumpeter' as encore. He enjoyed the benefit of Mrs Osmond. Smith's splendid accompaniments. .uast, but not least, tho Orchestral Society unucr Mr Alfred Bunz, supplied two numbers to the programme. Hot very complete in their personnel, they played nevertheless with good effect and under tasteful direction tho Overture to tho "Magic Flute," and tho two attractive sketches by Coleridge Taylor, "Demands efc Repose" and "La Caprice de Nannette." What about the violins, the skconds this lime, at the opening of tho Fugue in the "Magic Flute" overture? The audience expressed their pleasure in vivid applause all the ovening. OPERA HOUSE. Tho vaudeville programme at the Opera House continues to attract big audiences, wiio receive with enthusiasm the many clever items. Tho offerings of Louis W. Bloy, a remarkable banjoist, tho singing of Wendy Ua-.e and Aiphunsc, Marjorie Alwynne, anu Pollard and Jackson, all confirmed the good impression they made on their first appearances, while Jock and Colin, Campbell (concortiria players), Reggiardo (juggler), Murfayne (xylophonist), The Klentos (gymnasts), John Larkin, and Jose Baptiste, all go to make up a first-class entertainment. On Saturday next tho popular amateur competitions will bo held. ' "THE BETTER 'OLE." AT GRAND AND LIBERTY.

Commencing at the matinees on Saturday Bruce Hairnstathcr'a celebrated picture play, ' Tne .Better 'Ole," will be in seaßOii, showing each afternoon and evening at tiio Grand and Liberty Theatres for ono week, under the direction of Leo JL). Chateau's tional Attractions. Mr Dobson Adams has been specia.ly engaged to sing the song preliminary to the picture, and a full orchestra of ten instruments will supply the special incidental music. The management announce that the free list during "Xhe Better 'Ole" season will bo rigorously suspended, 'ihe characters' in "Xhe Jietter 'Olo" are British, created from incidents in tho British lines that happened to British soldiers in the greatest war that Britain ever fought. More than that, tho three characters that stand out are truthful types to be seen every day in the lines, Old Bill, Alf, and Bert. Baimsfather in his "Fragments from France" has immortalised them by his brush, so that they are familiar friends in every home in British lands, and now they aro real live things, to be seen living the selfsame incidents that hitherto were only painted. "Xhe Better 'Ole" came at a time when a universal appeal was needed. It did the work set it, and now conies as a fitting herald of world peace, bringing U3 face to face with the types of men. who liave mads that peace attainable. The humorous sayings typical of tho spirit of all the Berts and Aifs and Old Bills, now world-sayings,, are lived before our eye 3 in thi3 queer and masterly admixture of tears and laughter, mirth mellowed- by sorrow, romance, and grim reality. Tho box plans for both : thenires are now on view at The Bristol, add picture show patrons are advised to rcservo their seats to avoid disappointment.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Florence Reed is starred in "Xh; Eternal . Sin"—a very powerful play—at Everybody s Theatre, and June Caprice in "Patsy. ' There ! is a good supporting programme, which wij be repeated to-day. 1 STRAND THEATRE. 1 "The Pursuit of Polly," a delightful offering in which dainty Biliie Burke is starred, 1 and Pau.ino Frederick in "La Tosca, wili bo shown again at the Strand Theatre at 1 all sessions to-day. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin's screamingly iunny burlesque of "Carmen," u. Henry's queer story of "A Woman and Some Sab.es," and Moliy King in "A Summer Girl," make up an excellent programme, which will be shown at the Queen's Theatre this afternoon and evening. CRYSTAL PALACE. In "American Buds" Littie Jane and Katherine Lee provide much amusement at the Ciystal Palace. "Tho Dbiit ot Honour" (Peggy HyJaud), and good supports provide an excellent programme, which will be shown again this afternoon and evening. LIBERTY THEATRE. "Laughing Bill Hyde,'" a fine Rex Beach story, occupies the chief position on the bill at tho Liberty Theatre, end it has an excellent supporting programme. Bruce Bairna--1 at her' 3 great play, '"ihe Better 'Ole, wili be shown on Saturday. The box plans are ct The Bristol. GRAND THEATRE. At tho Grand Theatro Olga Pc-trova, i" "The Life Mask," and Harold Lockwood in "Pidgin Island," are the chief attractions. At the matinee on Saturday Bruce Bairusfather's masterpiece, "Ihe Better 'Ole," will be screened. The box plans are at Tho Bristol. "OUR REVEILLE. The box plan for "Our Reveille" opens at The Bristol on Monday morning. Tickets now on sale may secuio reserved seats without extra charge. The season opens for twelve nights on lDtb in&t. at the Theatro Royal. The 273 performers taking part in ihe production have been professionally trained and, to use Mr Lint's own words, "the Christchurch public will get a pleasant surprise, especially in some of the huge ballets." ; The Liberty March, which has been reported as a dazzling stage spectacle, will be produced by over 130 performers, introducing the new Liberty March song, the so.o of ■which will be taken by Miss Hannay. Mrs F. Elcoate, of Oamaru, who was so success- i ful in the "Our Reveille" production there, I will bo Been to advantage in four numbers, I

including a Dutch song and clog dance in company with Mr Lints, supported by a strong chorus. There arc 42 separate and distinct numbers, and the programme will be changcd every third night; the name remains the same, but the numbers change. ,A similar production was packed for a season of thirteen nights at Wnnganui, Palmerston North, Napier, and Gisborue.