AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13936, 19 December 1905, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THE STRAND COMEDY COMPANY The Strand Comedy Company will commence a season at the Theatre Royal on Boxing Night, the initial production being “The J.P. The company’s season is limited to a -few nights only, during which two, or perhaps three, plays will be produced. The New Zealand tour is necessarily limited, ,as the company has to fulfil Its American engagements within the next two months. 11 The J.P.,” which \yill be presented - under arrangement ivith Mr J. C. Williamson, has already won the hall-mark of Australian approval, as is evidenced by the criticism of a leading Melbourne daily, which refers to the play as follows: “Conceived for laughing purposes only, ‘The J.P.’ certainly has attained its end. It bristles with fun from the rise to the fall of the curtain. So mirth-provoking were the ■ excessive complications that the house simply screamed with laughter;"’ Mr J. J. Dallas and Miss Florence Lloyd are the chief stars of the, company, and the reputation that they bring with them both from .England and ' Australia should ensure them a hearty reception. ‘‘Miss Florence Lloyd,” says a London paper, “is the best impersonator ■ of the youth about town wo have on the stage. Tall, slim, and with the face of a handsome boy of twenty, Miss Lloyd is careful always in dressing her male characters, to avoid what may without offence be called the costnmier’s idea of men’s dress. When playing a gay young lord Miss Lloyd dresses according to the fashion of the time, getting her. clothes from a West End tailor and her general ideas of male attitude from Bond Street.” “ CATCHING A WHALE.” West’s Pictures and the Brescians, who will open their Christmas season at the Canterbury Hall on Saturday, will present an ‘.‘everything new” programme, one of the most interesting pictures-of which will reproduce, from actual life, the process by which the gallant whalers of the southern seas hunt and capture the mammoths of the ocean. The whole industry will be screened, from the sighting of the whale to the" cutting up of the leviathan ashore. Many other fine pictures will be shown, and the Brescians, in their 'musical section, will produce a programme of new items. THE MAGIC KETTLE. [ The' “ Magic Kettle,” whose miracles were displayed in Christchurch some time ago by Professor Andrews, worked its scientific marvels , at the Theatre Royal last evening. The wonderful capacity of liquid air to do all manner of unexpected things was entertainingly demonstrated in a way that pleased while it educated the spectators. The liquid air was used as motive power to drive a model locomotive, and it did this work as easily as it froze cream and whisky, .samples of- which werq. sent out among the audience. Not the least pleasing portion of the programme was a discourse on the theory and practice of liquid air, by Professor Andrews, and his remarks were heard with marked interest. “ Alma,” a conjuror, went through a number of clever tricks, and made an enjoyable addition to the Professor’s entertainment. The performance will be repeated this evening. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House was crowded in all parts, last evening, and the programme submitted by Fuller’s Entertainers, met with general approval. All; the members of the combination were well received, and the “ star ” performers had to respond to repeated recalls. MADAME AGNES PADDON. Madame Agnes Paddon’s concert : in tie Canterbury Hall last, night was hot as-well attended as 1 her elaborate credentials in advance would have justified, hut from a. musical standpoint it was: an . unqualified success. Madame Paddon’s first number showed that she possessed a pleasing contralto voice of considerable power. It lacks something in clarity, and the lower register particularly suggests an occasional absence of control, but it is in many respects a voice quit© out of the ordinary. The singer’s tone is delightfully rich and velvety, and she possesses the faculty of being able to interpret her music excellently. The 'recitative and aria, “Sposal Euridice!” and “ Che Faro!’ created a very .favourable impression, and “My Ain Folks,” as an encore number, was sung with considerable feeling. Mrs Dower-Burns sang - Meyerbeer’s scena, “Roberto, 0 tu che Adore,” and responded to an encore with Ganz’s florid “Sing, Sweet Bird.” She-was in particularly good voice, and the audience was not slow to appreciate this happy fact. ■ Later in the evening she sang “ Haymaking,” and had again to respond to an encore. Madame Paddon’s other songs were two lullabies, “The .Songs Sly Mother Sang” and “Hush a ha Birdie,” “-The Three Ravens” and “ I Remember Meeting You.” She was particularly successful in the Scottish folk songs. With Mrs Burns she sang a Venetian boat song, and, with Mr R. Vincent and Mrs Burns, the, trio ‘‘ 0 Memory.” Mr A. Millar, Mr C. Allan and Miss Toria Sommers also assisted in the programme, and one of the most enjoyable items during the evening was a piano ■olo, “Polka do la Reine,” by Miss Katie Young, who also accompanied the vocalists. PROMENADE CONCERT. ■ A promenade concert and military entertainment was given in the King Edward-Barracks last night. Tugs-of-war, naval displays, field guns in action and Lloyd-Lindsay competitions, interspersed with Garrison Band selections, provided first-class entertainment for those who attended. The takings were In aid of the building fund.