AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16961, 9 October 1920, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

j CARTER THE GREAT. | AT THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT, i This evening J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will 1 present the renowned magician and illusionist Carter The Great, whose reputation has | preceded him. • and from all accounts the 1 public will be offered an unusual entertainment at the Theatre Royal. It is that Carter The Great is the tinest exponent of 1 the magic art in the world to-day, and he drums 10 bo the originator ar.d inventor of hundreds oi illusions and mystifications which ho has presented in every part, of the globe. Tho company arrived yestcrday morning, and the mechanical staff have been employed ever since at the Theatre Rnyal crecting the huge illusions which will be seen to-night. Six railway trucks were required to convey the paraphernalia, including tho lion, from port, yesterday. We have had many magicians in tho past, but it is claimed for Carter The Great, tliat he commences where many others finish, and judging by tho reputation which he earned during his roccnt tctir of Australia theatre-go era may expect something entirely different to previous performances. To-night's programme will include The Mvwtery of Baghd-ad, Tho CasKet, 'I'Jic Astral Hand, A Xieht with tho Orientals, The Mys-terious Bowl, The Mysteries oi the Yosi, The Spirits' Scuuca arid Tlu- Lion a Brido and East-end romance. which . is c.ia-impd to be tho biggest illusion ever staged, and introducing the ex-King of Portugal's pel "Baby," a huge Nubian lion weighing over .1175 pounds. In conjunction with Carter the Great., Mias Evelyn Maxwell will eivo a series of demonstrations of thought transference and mental telepathy; these exhibitions created much controversy in Australia., and it ir, said that they border on the supernatural. The Chriftchurch season is limited to (Kivon niights and two rnatinors. For tonight's performance the bc:t plans of reserved seat.'? will bs at The Bristol fill noon, and after that hour at the Toy Cave, where ! clay sales may also be obtained. ; TIIE ROSS SMITH FLIGHT. j ' Sir Keith Smith, one of the quartette of intrepid airmen who negotiated \he> p-assaga [ from London to Australia, arrives in Christ' church this morning, and, after being welcomed to the city by his Worship the Mayor, Dr. Tbacker, Al.Pl, will make his initial bow at tho Liberty Theatre this afternoon, when he will personally tell tho story, in conjunction with the remarkable series of pictures of the history-making flight, from the old world to tho now. Tho arrangement ; and explanation of tho pictures are so ssimpie i that an intelligent child can understand. It ! is sometimes difficult to remember that this flight, modost. youthful Australian (Sir Keith Smith) was one of the four men who 'lutrceeded in this marvellous pioneer air feat. As the Christchurch season is limited, intending patrons aio strongly advised to securo seats, as the booking i 3 already very heavy. In addition to the above big attraction there will be a programme of supporting items during the period between 7.15 »nd 8 p.m., and Miss Annio Duff, soprano, the winner of the Scottish International Competitions, will make her first appearance in a budget of selected songs. Tho box plan is at Tho Bristol till noon, and afterwards at tho theatre. OPERA HOUSE. Tho Opera House was completely filled last evening when tho present week's bill was again presented. The Harry Burgess Rovue Company's interpretation of the laughable nonsensicality "The Railway Tangle," was received with every indication of aporoeialion, and in the vaudeville section, Billy Elliott, Carlton Max, Bert ColeniKu, and the Williams Sisters alt contributed very successfully to the programme. There, will bo a matinee this afternoon, and the programme will be repeated for the last time to-night. "TILLY OF BLOOMSBURY." "Tilly of BlOomsbury," with which J. C. Williamson havo broken all comedy records in Sydney and® Melbourne, will be presented at the Theatre Royal, commencing on Monday, October 18th, for a season of six nights. Mr Frank Freeman, Mr Percy' Rhodos, Miss Dorothy Manville, and Mr Georgo Blunt wero selected for their parts by ttic author of tho p.ay, Captain lan Hay, in London. Mrs Robert Brough was also socially engaped in London for the role of Lady Marion Malnwaring. - "Tilly of Bloomsburv" is a. ccmedy-draina of love and laughter, humour end pathos. The dialogue is clevor, and the story interesting. Throughout there i 3 plenty of action. The popularity achieved by Captain Hay's comedy-drama justified the management's expectations of the picce. For over 18 months it ran in London, and was then produced in New >'ork, where it has since drawn packed houses. In Melbourne and Sydney it repeated these successes, also in Adelaide. "Tilly of Bloomsburv" may well bo described £3 an international triumph. While the success of Captain Hay's books, including . tho "First Hundred Thousand," has been phenomenal, the author has expressed .the. opinion that one successful play wi> outweigh the combined success of several books. This, is practically indicated by tho fact that through "Tilly of Bloomsbury," which is- now running in Australia, England, and America., • Captain Hay has nire&'ly drawn over £40,000 in roya-ltirs. Th© box plaE3 open at The Bristol on Thursday r.ent for the season. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The last presentation cf tho Paramount Artcraft Royalty masterpiece, "On With | the Dance," wkl be given to-night. Nest week there will bo an entirely new programme, consisting of two Paramount Artcraft ' spccial attractions. The first is an adaptation of Cosmo Hamilton's powerful story, "The Miracle of Love," starring | Wyndham" Standing, Jackie Saunders, and Lucy Cotton. It is a picture that lays bure the - intrigues of British society, enters the halls of state, follows a forbidden romiuicc to the end, and culminates in love's great miracle. It is a picture of magnificent sittings, gorgeous gowns, romantic characters, wonderfully portrayed, and a plot that is filled with emotion. The second attraction is a comedy-drama, entitled, "More Deadly Than the Male," starring the popular and beautiful actress, Ethel Clayton, who has the role of a high-spirited young woman who is confronted with tho prospect of having the man she lovc3 depart on a long and dangerous trip to the wilds of South Africa in scarch -of nothing but hair-raising adventure.. Her ordinarv efforts to deter him are in vain, so she resorts to novel hieasures. The result, is a most entertaining picture, which alternately takes tho appearance of grim melodrama p.nd happy cojuody. Everybody's Select Orchestra will be in attendance with a new musical programme, and, as usual, reserved feats may be booked cither at tbe Tho Bristol or by 'phoning 4935. CRYSTAL PaLACE. Commencing to-day at Crystal Palace, the fAmous American play, "shore Acres," is sore to prove a big draw. As a drama it is reminiscent of "Out of the Fog," which made fcucli a great,hit here. It possesses touches; of humour, however, which wore absent from the other play, and which load a certain degTee oi piquancy to the story. It is a 1 •story of plain Now Englajid foik on the rock- | ribbed coast of Maine. Martin 3crry, a stern j old lighthouse keeper, forbids his spirited j daughter, Helen, to spook to the man F/hs i loves. It is Martin's fondest hope that Helen. will marry Josiah Blake, the vi.iuge banker. Helen refuses to obey her father, and dopes vrith her sweetheart on the Liddy Ann, a vessel bound down the coa.st. Her ftither leams of her i departure, and, insane with, rage, he prevents his brother Nathaniel from lighting the beacon that will guide the vessel tafo.y out through the locks of. the harbour. Desperately the two old men battle with one another in the lighthouse—one to save 'he ship, tho other to destroy her. A pou'-easter i*» raging, and during their 9trugg!o the Liddr Ann goes on the rocks, her passengers left to tiie mercy oi the BiCJin- "Shore Acres" affords Alice Lake a splendid vehicle for her exceptional talents. "Th-i other big feature of 'Crystal Palace programme is "Tho Winning Girl," featur-

ing that cl*iuiv little lady of screen. Shirley Mason. * Both features will be screened twice daily at C.lo and 7.15 p.m. GRAND THEATRE. There will bo a complete change of programme at the Grand Theatre to-day ana to-night, when two speciaj features will be screened. "Upstairs and Down," and "Shod itb Fire." It: "'Upstairs and Down,' the latest Selsr.ick' production. Miss Ohve Thomas scores the biggest success of her wonderful career. blto is de?orib<si as charming throughout, even when_ doing vej-y tcoiish things, or telling verv foolish lies. She fiirts. perkctlv, . miskes real love marvellously. dresses beautifully, and generally romps through a clever play in a w»y that is r,l! her own. She presents a character suited to her bright rnture. "Upstairs Down" follows closely the stage ? ion in contrasting the 'elfish ar.d siily smusements of guests at a fashionable weekrr»«i party, with an imitation «>f their own folly in the kitcheon. There i? bright comedy n every situation, in which Rosemary Theby, as the heroine's sister, stages ;m automobile accident in order to win the romartic interests of the Irish _ heartbreaker. The sparkling interpretation by •Olive Thomas of a very seln°h. fickle, airl very much spoiled ' young lady is a clever ar.d vivacious piece of acting. The picture, as is usual with Selzrick"? production is mngniticontly mounted, the comedy is delic:ous. the drnssing bcautiiul, ar.d the slory ( tull of unusual interest. "Shod With J ire, ' -,v romantic !ovo. story of t.he plnips. s?iitod by Wi'liam Fes. stars the vi-iio ana vnni'ur William Ru>sr!l. In th:.' story of Wcrtem life, it is- AVilHom Ru®-ell scrjcsws himself in foT--'fij activ.f ai.'i coring horsemanship. The supporting pro£rnnime is -well up to the Grand standard, and include? a very humorous Stni'hiiie roinedy, "Hon of a Hun. There is h!;-o .a Pictorial Hdnntor nnd Tooical Gazette. Patrons are advised to bo ear'y to-night. or to reserve their seals. QI'EF.N'S PICTURES. There will be a complete change ci programme at the Queen's Theatre to-dfiy, and foremost amongst the new pictures will be a Goldwyn feature. "Leave it to Susan," starring winsome and clever Madge Kennedy. The story deals with « pretty pirl, an heroic young man, a company of bandits', and a sheriff, and as the combination indica'o?, ihe story teems from beginning to end with thrills. , A prettv roni3nce iurs thr-nu-h th? whole piece, and cxcitement. devilry, nv.ilimg, and love are extremely well combined, tiie whole mixture rcraltiny in as interesting an adventure (is the most prosaic could desire. Another very fine picture will be "The Nature Jim, which shows the adventures of Joseph Know'e? in the picf lire?que and. wild woods of Maine. Besides the wild bennty of the scenery, the pictur" gives a very graphic insight into tilt 1 mggc I natural life and dangers of the woods, s:nri is a film which at oncc educates, elevates, ;*r.d tlirills. strong supporting programme will also be submitted. ILLUSTRATED LECTURE. Matters connecto/1 with the study of afterdeath conditions are ropi/lly brooming of universal interest, and Mr Edward Braiiscombe's illustrated lecture on "Man's Invisible Bodies," 1o be given at the Crystal Palace on S-anday. 17th irisf.. should be a valuable contribution to the little which is known on there subjects. Mr Branscombe's descriptions will be ; illustrated by a unique series of lantern, slides, depicting the unseen bodies in varying conditions, as affected by thoughts and emotions. The admission to the lecture will be free. STRAND THEATRE. The Strand Theatre, the home of tho incomparable Fox filing was well filled at each session yesterday, scores bein» turned away ill the- evening. To-day• an entirely now programme* will be presented, and heading the bill will be a Fox super-feature, "The Rainbow Trail," featuring the ever popular William Farnnm. The "Rainbow "Trail," a dramatic masterpiece, is a picturisation of Zane Grey's famous sequel lo the great anti-Mormon novel, "Bidera of Purple Sage,' a. film version of which was recentlv shown ■at the Strand, and admirers of I.assiter and. the other fascinating characters of ttyui story will find much to interest them in "to-day's big new picture. There will bo a strong supporting programme, including a "Mutt and Jeff'' cartoon, a. "Gazette." a "Ford Interest," and various other films: