AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16352, 23 September 1913, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL

" Man and Superman," produced by the Julius Knight Dramatic Company, attracted' another appreciative audience to the Theatre Royal last night, and the Shaw "drama of ideas" was again highly successful. The Christchurch season will bo concluded tonight, with another presentation of the play. GLOBE PICTURES. The new programme which was presented at the Ulobe Theatre yesterday attracted appreciative audiences at all sessions. The "star" film, Gzarnowska," depicted the adventures ot a count, who was left with his two children to bring up, his wife having died. He engaged a governess, an adventuress, who, by insidious mfluence, contrived to make him will her his property. A faithful peasant on the count's estate committed virtual murder in his efforts to save his master from the wiles of the governess, and was forced to flee. The governess married the count, and, meeting an accomplice in crime, planned her husband's death. The , faithful peasant, however, turned un at the critical moment, and overheard the plot. An attempt to, drown the count, ostensibly by accident, was foiled by the former peasant, and the countess was brought to justice. The picture was a most interesting one. An excellent comic picture, featuring the irresistible John Bunny, was entitled "Bunny v. Cutey, in which a college student, with a very high opinion of his personal attractions, attempted' to hold Mr Bunny up to ridicule by taking a lady to observe him going through exercises with a view to reducing his adipose disabilities. The lady, however, was apparently struck by the remarkable condition of Bunny, and declared a passion for him in the face of her discomfited admirer. The principal pictures were supported by a very fine programme. To-day the same series will be shown. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The programme which was presented at the Queen's Theatre yesterday was well received. It will be replaced today when the following_ pictures will be shown:—" Bemina Railway," "Carmen of the Isles." " Bunny's Birthday Surprise," "Eclair Journal," "The Reformers " and " A Victim of Heredity." '

WEST-HAYWARD PICTURES. The new programme presented at His Majesty's Theatre last night proved to be both varied and interesting. The "star" film was "The Ironmaster," a French production, with the famous actress, Madame Jane Harding in the principal role. The mounting was on a magnificent scale, and the acting was finished to a degree. The story was a well constructed one, and dealt with the love of a business man for a titled lady, and how ho won her affection. The picture was essentially French, and to a British audience many little acts seemed strange, but they did not detract from the effectiveness of the film in any way. One item on the programme of exceptional interest was the " Pa the Gazette," for it included a remarkable picture of the riots in Johannesburg. The charges of the mounted police and troops were plainly seen, and the audience got a vivid impression of the great industrial struggle in the South African mining centre. Among other events shown were the arrival or the non-militant suffragettes at Hyde Park, the trial of a new aeroplane, the King at Goodwood, the chairing of the winner of the King's Prize at Bisloy, and the Priino Minister. MrAsquith, at his native town. " Fedor" was a drama dealing with the smuggling of lace across the Swiss frontier. The scenes among which the drama was enacted were beautiful, and the story was an exciting one. Dogs of more than average intelligence figured largely in tho picture, which was naturally coloured. The two comic films were not of any exceptional merit, indeed. "Mabel's Stratagem" was not attractive at all. A film showing how walking-sticks are' made was interesting and educational. Tho whole programme was well received. It will bo shown again to-night. FULLER'S PICTURES. A fine series of topical events in tho "Gaumont Graphic" greeted the large gathering at the Colosseum last night. This film, the first of a wellselected programme, contained glimpses of the Bisley rifle meeting, tho chairing of the King's prize-winner, and the Havre regatta, an animated film giving news of the President inspecting foreign yachts, motor-boat racing, and so on. Next came an acrobatic quartette in remarkable feats, followed by a beauti-fully-coloured film of the Flowery Land, with some wonderful Kaleidoscopic colours. The first drama, "Cinders." a dog and child episode, was of the wholesome type, with its numerous interludes. The first half closed with a comic film, " Miss Mischief." The "star" picture was " Hearts of tho First Empire," a stirring drama of Napoleonic times, full of strong martial situations of absorbing interest, with a very fine duel scene. The film was received with- marked approval, and was, indeed, a complete success. " Industries of Jamaica," an educational film of some artistic merit as well, and " Love Me Love My Cat," helped to make up a capital programme.. The new films will be shown again to-night. OPERA HOUSE. The introduction of a rircus Into a vaudeville entertainment is an experiment, and the appearance of Schepp's animal circus at the Opera House last night showed that the experiment can bo made with every hope of success. Mr Schepp's circus which consists of wonderfully well-trained animals, would bo successful at almost any kind of popular entertainment. Ho has ponies, dogs, cats, and monkeys. They act together and separately, and work so well, and apnarently. so intelligently, ' that thev forbid a dull moment amongst the audience as long as their "turn n lasts. The dogs that took part in the entertainment last night were the most active members of the company. Evidently, they represented the highest standard reached in the training of dors. Some of them dancod graeefullv, and others turned somersaults adroitly. As might be thought, the monkeys supnlied the humorous clement. Their most notable performance was a leap through the air height of about twenty feet into Mr Schepp's outstretched hands. The "turn" includes many items. It drew a crowded attendance Inst night, and it will be an attraction during the whole of this week. Last night also saw the first appearance of the "Lyrical Four," who sang acceptably solos, duets, trios and quartettes, and save humorous sketches Thev were bright and all their items sparkled. Miss Madge Beresford sang several songs and Klimo and Clifton went through humorous gymnastic tricks i and used the Roman rings effectively, j The other items on the programme, which will be repeated to-night, were supplied by old members of the com-1 pany.

GRAND THEATRE.

rpho "Eagle's Claw" a strikingly sensational drama, was the film {-elected for pvido of place in the now Grand programme of pictures yesterday. From noon onwards continuously the Theatre was well attended, and patrons were given a first-class programme. The big film was extremely realistic and introduced aeroplane flights as. part of the plot. Other pictures were "Greed for Gold," "The Empty Box," a strong domestic drama, the "Eclair

I Journal," a budget of world-famous events in tabloid picture form. Among I several good comic films, "A Orazy i Motor Ride " had first place. The pro- ' gramme will be continued from noon. to-day. - . i i — _ .... ■;■' ,•■ i . SYDENHAM PICTURES. A- change of programme was pro-'' I sented at the Sydenham Picture i Theatre last night. The star film was i " The Ironmaster," an able reproduction of tho famous French master- . piece. "Making Walking Sticks" j was an educational film, and "Fedor" i was a coloured dramatio picture. The | "English Gazette" depicted recent ! topical events. "Mixed Identities" was a tale of two twins, and " Mabel's • Stratagem " was a humorous film. The same pictures will be shown to-night. I NORDICA. j Aside from being one of the world'*' ■ greatest singers, Mme Lillian Nordica possesses a most interesting and remark-, able personality, and, quite unlike tha usual prima donna is interested in many things outside her chosen art. _ In addition to being a great dramatic soprano Mme Nordica has long held the dis- ; tinction of being; the most beautiful woman in grand opera. Although, i American-born, she was first recognised in Italy. Germany soon followed, and I in a short time the entire world had ! recognised her. Mme Nordica will I open her Christchurch season at the Theatre Royal on October 4. Tho artists who will assist Mme NorcEca are Paul Dufault, the Canadian tenor; Franklin Holding, violinist, and Ro-, mayne Simmons, pianist. MARLOW DRAMATIC COMPANY. The. box plan for "The "Night Side of London, the drama to be presented in Christchurch for the first time at the I Theatre Royal by George Marlow's new combination of dramatic artists, opened at the Dresden yesterday. In this production there are said to be plenty of I thrilling incidents and dramatic situations. Only four performances of " The Night Side of London" will be given, and on Monday evening, another successful drama, new to Christchurch, and entitled "The Girl Who Took the Wrong Turning," by Walter Melville, will be produced. The last night of the season (Thursday, October 2), has been ; reserved for a farewell performance of "East Lynne." Seats for. any night | of the season mav be reserved at the: Dresden. Day sale tickets are on 6ale at Woodward's and Miss Kobler'6.