AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15982, 16 July 1912, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

WEST HAYWARD PICTURES.

A competition, significant of modern progress in invention, was ike subject of one of tho best pictures shown at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when the weekly change of programme was made. The title was "Hydroplanes v. Motor Boats,” and it was a record t of a competition held at Monaco recently between Renaux, a lamous French hydropianist, and a number of motor boats. Tho weird-looking ‘ amphibian” presented a curious sight as it glided over the water and through the air. A charming story was that contained in “A Story of the Circus, which dealt with opisodes in tho life ol a little trapeze performer and an elephant. " The Banker’s Daughter was a fine dramatic film with strong situations, and the inevitable love intorest. Tho heroin© went through many vicissitudes, and tho villain was a very wicked, villain, hut in the end tho handsome young hero triumphed. “The Gipsy’s Honour ’ was a beautiful romance, and the bright colours lent an air of gay Bohemia to tho picture of the wanderers’ daily lives. An interesting study in natural history was “Tho Dormouse” a series of pictures illustrative of the little animal and its habits. ’Hie comedy pictures were of the usual laughable description, some of tho best being "A Cure for Pokeritis,” “ Alkali Best’s Broncho Billy,” and "College Sweethearts. Hayward’s Orchestra accompanied the pictures with suitable selections. The same programme will be shown to-night. KING’S THEATRE. Even tho heavy rain did not deter a large audience from attending at the King’s Theatre last night to see the bright entertainment provided by Iversand’s American Minstrels. Another performance will bo given to-night. To-morrow night tho company will appear at Ashburton, and on Friday and Saturday it will give performances at Timaru. OPERA HOUSE. " Tho Delinos ” iyero the principal attraction in a most enjoyable vaudevillo programme staged for the first time at the Opera House last night. The “turn” consisted of hair-raising feats on tho tight wire, chief among them being the, ascent of a ladder balanced on tho wire, and the riding of a bicycle along the wire. The large audience was very appreciative of the performance and gave the artists a heartj- welcome. Almost of equal merit was the performance of Hanley, Marguerite and Hanley, three clever hand-to-hand balancers, who performed feats of strength and acrobatic tricks with great facility. Come and Baker, patter comedians, and mat-dancers, varied their turn and scored an undeniable success. Harry Elliot, an Irish comedian and novelty dancer, also found favour with the audience. The other artists also met with a good reception, Tom Te Puni, the Maori comedian, dancing a very popular liaka. Misses Stella Reid, Elsie M’Guire, Vera Murray and Ethel Preston also came in for well-deserved applause, and their recalls were frequent. To-night the programme will be repeated. A special attraction is promised for next week in tho person of Miss Beaumont Collins and a London company of four artists, who stage a clover little drama entitled "The Leaves of Memory.” FULLER’S PICTUP.ES. The Colosseum attracted a large attendance last night, when .the weekly change of programme was made. The items were up to tho high standard established at the Colosseum, and were received with marks of appreciation. As far as natural beauties were concerned tho best was a representation of an oasis in tho Sahara, and travel was represented by views taken between Bordeaux and. Paulliac- Amongst the dramas was "The Reformation of Kid Hogan.” It is the somewhat improbable story of a prizefighter’s miraculous reform, in which an exceptionally pretty Salvation Army lassie takes a hand. “The Physician’s Honour" was a better typo of drama. It lind at least the recommendation of probability. It traced tbe temptation of a young doctor to neglect liis duty''for social amusement, and showed his sweetheart’s resentment at liis determination to place duty first, and then her complete appreciation of the stand which ho had .taken. On the light side, “ Constable Smith’s Magic Baton ” was very laughable, and “ The Daisy Cowboys” unfolded a little Wild Western romance, with a quaintlyhumorous turn. The same programme will be shown to-night. OLYMPIA RINK. The Olympia Rink had an unusual attraction last night, when Professor Atlios and Madame Read began a short season of fancy roller skating. The former is described as Australasia’s champion trick skater, and the latter as England’s lady champion skater. They certainly gave a very graceful and somewhat remarkable performance. They skated and danced singly and together, their items including waltzes, cake-walks, two-steps and spins. Their best item in this respect was a skilful dance between lighted candles, placed on the floor, the dancers gliding in and out amongst the rows of candies without touching any. In the less graceful hut more- sensational items, Professor Athos jumped five sets of chairs and two chairs placed side, by side, leaping over tho hacks. In some of liis chair-jumping feats ho turned in midrfiir, and landed on the floor backwards. Both the performers were heartily applauded. They will evidently ” have a successful season in Christchurch. Their second performance will be given this evening. The rink will bo open to the public as usual to-day. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Notwithstanding tho inclemency of tho weather there was a fair attendance at the Empire Theatre last night, when, besides the pictures, an innovation was introduced, Signor Giorgio Martinengo rendering vocal and instrumental items during the production of the pictures. Signor Martinengo lias appeared in Christchurch before, but to'those who had not heard him previously liis work on tho ’cello was quite a revelation, and he demonstrated by liis exquisite playing wliat the instrument is capable of in a master’s hands. In his musical act, " The Unemployed Musician,” in which lie introduced " The Broken Melody,’’ ho was heard to advantage, and his illustrated song, “ Will my Soul Pass Through Old Ireland,” was also a groat success. The pictures were cf the usual varied and interesting character, ranging from grave to gay, . ~e of the best being “ The Female of the Species.” The programme will lo lepeated to-night. GLOBE THEATRE. Tho continuous pictures at the Globe Theatre entered on a new programme yesterday, and wore again very well patronised throughout tho day and evening. “ The Shades of Winter,” a Ganmont scenic film, was one of the most charming on the programme, being rich in forest scenery and feathery cascades in the mountain streams. The

Gaumont “Graphic” depicted some of the latest world-happenings and was an interesting programme in itself. “ Boys of tho Revolution,” a fine story of tile American Civil War, was followed by an interesting microscopic study of tho structure ami habits of the mosquito. “ A Victim of Circumstantial Evidence ” was tho title of a clever Kalem drama, one of the best yet produced at the Gjobe Theatre. Another drama, “The Diamond Rose,” and several first-class comic films completed the programme. AIR ALEXANDER WATSON. To-night, in tho Theatre Royal, Air Alexander Watson will give the first of his three extra recitals. The first part of the programme will consist of the principal scenes from “Macbeth,” which lias been compressed so as to admit of a miscellaneous second part from the works of popular modern authors, including J. M. Barrio and James Payn. To-morrow evening “Twelfth Night” will similarly be drawn upon for the comedy scenes. As tlio Thoatre Royal is otherwise engaged,the second and last recitals will he given in the Choral Hall. SONG AND PIANOFORTE RECITAL. The concert which the pupils of Mrs Mead and Mr E. Empson are to give to-morrow night in tho Theatre Royal promises to he a great success. Amongst the items will be the “Andante and Variations ” for two pianos, by Schumann, the “ G Minor Concerto” by Mendelssohn, tho ever-welcomo “ Marche Militaire” by SclmbcrtTausig, “Softly Awakes My Heart” by Saint Saens, the popular “Toreador Song” by Bizet, and the Strauss “ Serenade.” Both Airs Mead and Mr Empson will contribute items. " POETS’ EVENINGS.” Tho first of a series of “ Poets’ Evenings ” was given by Aiiss Lucy Cowan in the AVest End Hall, Aloiitreal Street, last night. There was a large audience and the performers were very well received- Although Aiiss Cowan modestly termed the items as being read, they were recited from memory, poems from Browning, Byron, Longfellow, and Lowell being given without reference to the books. Suitable songs wore contributed by Airs Blackinore and :.Ir AY. .T. Snikeld. Miss Cowan gavo a very fine rendering of Tennyson’s “Lady of Slialott ” and Dickens’s “Sydney Carton.” while Aiiss N. Brewin recited “Elaine” in a very pleasing manner. Alessrs Cordory and Erasmusen contributed items, and Miss Campion was the accompanist. Next 'Monday, Aiiss Cowan will devote the evening to Scottish poetry and music. AIISS AIARGARET COOPER. Aiiss Margaret Cooper, who will open a. season*of nine nights at- the ’theatre Royal on Thursday evening, conies to Australasia after appearing for six years at the Palace Theatre, LondonFor long -she has been one of the favourites of the London public. Those who have heard Aiiss Cooper speak in glowing terms of her ability, and especially of her songs at the piano. Many of Aiiss Cooper’s songs have become well known through the medium of the talking machine, but the entertainer imparts new light to them by her expression, gestures and power of accompanying them at the piano, and the audience is said to bo kept in a condition of merriment throughout the performance. Tho supporting artists, Mr H. Scott Leslie, raconteur humorist, Air Horace AVitty, baritone soloist-, Signor Afnnzoni, mandolinist, and Air Charles Lawrence, accompanist, lend a varied interest to tho programme. Tho first programme will be presented for four nights. The box plan is on view at the Dresden. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. The Original English Pierrots, who arc announced to make their first appearance in Christchurch at- the King’s Theatre, on Saturday evening, under tho direction of Alessrs Will and Rob Thomas and Alavnard Dakin, are not unknown to the dominion, as they visited the North Island last year, when they played a continuous season of two months at the AA’ellington Industrial Exhibition; and two seasons in the Wellington Town Hall. The company numbers eight members, two ladies and six men. The majority have been connected with the company for the past eight years, giving their regulnr . seasons at the Pavilion, Melbourne, j Tile box plan will be,open at the Dresden on Thursday morning. ' '