AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL

“ UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.”

The Willoughby Dramatic Company commenced a brief season last night at the Theatre R-oyal with “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” a- veteran play'which, for longevity, has run “ East Lynno very close. Like the immortal adaptation of Mrs Henry Wood’s novel, “Undo Tom’s Cabin ” has become entitled to the respect that is regarded as justly due to old age. By unanimous consent the standing orders of critical procedure are suspended, aim tlie only point from which the play can be viewed is that of an audience which desires to be entertained. Judged by this standard, the production of “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin ” last night was a success, and a large audience expressed its approval by frequent outbursts of applause. The brutal side of the cotton-field slavery as described by Mrs Harriet Beecher Stowe may have been exaggerated, but though today it is no longer in existence, the lachrymose appeal of the vicissitudes of Uncle Tom, and of the death of Little Eva, has not lost its peculiar power. In the same way tho comedy, thanks to effective burnishings, has not waned, and Topsy’a antics last night wore as successful as ever they were. The inouuting was up to the standard of Willoughby productions in Christchurch, but the acting was far ahead of anything shown by the management or' its predecessors in this particular type of production. Mr Cyril Mackay headed a company of capable players, and his delineation of the character ot George Harris, the mulatto, was equal to what can be expected from an actor with his record of achievements. Mr Herbert Leigh was an excellent Uncle Tom, and Mr Vivian Edwards made a vigorous Simon Degree. Miss Nell Holroyd revelled in the character ot Topsv, and Miss Pearl Smith was quiet and effective as Eliza. Mr Ronald Riley, Mr Darcy Kihvay apd Miss Nellie Fergusson in the minor characters were good, and Miss Vera Huggott was successful as Eva. a feature of the evening was the singing of the Era- Comedy Four, who combined some excellent unaccompanied quartettes with a great deal of goodnatured and irresistible fun. ihe National Duo also provided some ragtime songs and dances. “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin will be presented to-night and on the three following evenings. The box plan will be at the Dresden until 5 p.m. to-day, and after that hour will be at the J oy Cave, where early door tickets >vm also be on sale. To-morrow (King s Birthday) a matinee will he given, commencing at two o clock, and i box plan will be at the Theatre Royal all day.

FULLER’S PICTURES. The “Gaumont Graphic”, introduced the new- programme of pictures last night in tho Colosseum. Amongst a number of interesting events, it-showed a golf-ball test match, military manoeuvres at a Parisian show, the Newbury' Steeplechase meeting, the Spanish steamer Jose de Araburu beached after a collision, the Home Rule demoiistrations in Hyclo Park, London, tho Westminster School sports, tho Beaufort Hunt Steeplechase, and the wreck of a small coastal steamer at Ivanarack. “ The Elusive Diamond was an exciting drama, in which a gang of criminals were outwitted by a young girl. She wms the bearer of a £20.000 diamond, which she wms to convoy to the nephew of a rich widow. Tho servant in the house overheard the arrangements, and made plans with the other members of the gang to capture the girl. After, going through a trying ordeal at their hands, she was able by a clever ruse to turn the table upon them, and she then proceeded on her mission. “Picturesque Greece ” wms an artistically coloured travel film, in which the audience wms taken on a mountain train journey through narrow and precipitous gorges, and amidst beautiful scenery. In the film entitled “ The Territorial Camp at Hautapu,” the views were excellently photographed, and covered a wide range of camp life and routine, from, the cook’s quarters to tho review % General Sir lan Hamilton. “ How Flowers Awaken ” was a beautiful horticultural study. in which the blooming of flowers, which usually take from eight to ten days to open out, was shown on the screen in times averaging between twenty to thirty seconds. The, best portion of the film wms that depicting the flowering of' a rose, showing the stages from a small bud to full bloom, and the final withering. • “ The Whimsical Threads of Destiny” was a drama in which many thrilling episodes were introduced. The plot centred round the eccentricities of an old millionaire, who intended to leave his wealth to a niece and a nephew on condition that they married. The nephew*, however, was in love with a beautiful circus rider, and rather than marry his cousin relinquished his claim to the legacy. The niece, seeing the fortune slipping through her fingers, plotted to do away with her rival for her cousin’s love. The old millionaire overheard the plot, frustrated it. and finally made' over the whole of his fortune to his nephew. The humorous section of the programme wms well catered for in two comedies entitled “ The Tale of a Cat,’’ and “A Stage Door ‘Flirtation,” both pictures creating considerable laughter. The programme will be presented again tonight.

GRAND THEATRE. A specially-attractive programme was shown at the Grand Theatre yesterday to commemorate the first anniversary of its opening. “ A Throne at Stake,” a magnificently staged drama, was the “feature” film, and well deserved its place. The emperor of a kingdom had two sons, one, the elder, on the verge of marrying a princess, as became tho successor to tho throne; the other, secretly in love with a maid of honour. Matters might have turned out favourably, but the elder son fell from his horse and was killed. As heir to the kingdom, it devolved upon the young prince to forsake, much. against his will, his real lover, and for tho good of tho country marry the princess. A count, for purposes of gaining money, roused the jealousy of the maid of honour and placed in her way means to kill the princess on the day she wedded the prince. Happily this was averted by the chief of police, who hypnotised the girl as she was about to fire a revolver at the princess. The girl was then cast into prison and condemned to death. Heart-broken at the fate which had befallen his former sweetheart, the prince planned to let her escapo at all risks. Gaining a permit to her cell, lie cut out the bars with a file, and with the girl clinging round his neck, stalled to climb down a ladder to the courtyard far below. While in midair, they were fired at by tho guard, and losing their foothold, fell to the ground and were killed. “ The Missing Bonds” was another effective dramatic picture, with a far happier ending. An educational film, inteiesting more to the fairer sex, was “ Tresses and Curls,” showing the making of wigs and switches of human hair, from the time it was cut from'a peasant woman’s head till it adorned that of a society beauty. “ The Kauri Forests of New Zealand,” which showed the felling and carting of the giant kauri pines of tho north, was much appreciated. “The Gloves of ptames,” and “The Birthday that jtattored,” supplied plenty of merriment. The programme will he repeat>ed to-day.

GLOBE PICTURES. The new programme at the Globe Theatre attracted large audiences at all sesions yesterday. The “star” picture was entitled “ The Path of Genius” ana dealt with the story of a young artist who, penniless and unknown, secured shelter and food from an innkeeper in return’ for painting a new sign for tho inn. He fell in love with tho pretty daughter ofthe house, but was compelled to leave, owing to the squire exercising his proprietary right on the young lady. Some time later the poor artist became famous and rich, while the inn was sold for debt, the innkeeper died, and his family took refuge in London. The final reunion of tho two young lovers, w ho had not forgotten the happy days at the inn, wms brought about by tho sale, owing to want, of the painted inn sign by the girl. The film was well acted, and , depicted old English customs, and it wms received with hearty applause. “ The Tango Tangle ” was a very funny picture, and another comic film that caused much laughter was “Tho Slumberville Scare,” in which the chase', of a moving picture heroine by the villain, for the purposes of film-making, caused the Slumberville police much concern. More comedy was provided in a picture entitled “ A Stern Papa.” “ The Toll Gate Raiders ” urns a drama which depicted 9 representation of the Kentucky toll, fate war. Tho “Warwick Chronicle ‘ included the latest events and happe» ings in England and on the and was much appreciated. The santf pictures will bo shown again to-day,

• OPERA HOUSE. Miss Josephine Gatssman, who was in Christchurch with the World’s Entertainers some years ago, has returned to this city with a small company of “piccaninnies,” as she calls them, and with their help she ga.vo the principal item 011 the programme at the Opera House last night. Tho performance they gave consisted of comic singing and eccentric dancing. The turn was bright and lively, aud it had the merit of being novel. A feature’ of it was the appearance of a very tiny negro girl, who went through her part very Well, and earned much applause. Another “ first appearance” was Mr Ray Lawrence, an American vaudevillo artist, who gave an impersonation entitled “Just an American Girl.” He appeared aa * lady, sang as a lady, acted as a lady, a and wms received as a lady, and it wms only at the end of his performance, when he snatched the wig off his head, that his sex wms declared. Of. last' week’s performers, Mr Carlton Max, the ventriloquist, wms the most successful- He again put life into his doll, which certainly wms very smart and witty. Phillips and Merritt danoed the tango and sang; Mr Dennis Carney, one of the most talented comedians who have appeared at the Opera House, gave impersonations; Misses Knowles and Leo sang duets; Mr Franz gave a monologue entertainment; and “Jolly Marie ” gave fresh impersonations.: The entertainment concluded with a comedy sketch entitled “ Tlie Other Fellow.”- '

To-night the programme will be repeated, and as an additional attraction tho first of two tango dancing competitions will he held, when twenty-four couples of expert tangoists, coached ,by the tango experts, Phillips and Merritt, will compete for the prizes offered by the management. Tlie second competition will take place on Thursday. The conditions state that the competitor? who receive first, second and third places in the first competition will com* pete in the final against the .three sue* cessful competitors in the second competition. Tlie position of the prizewinners will be decided by the audience. The box plan. is open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. The vaudeville programme will be repeated also at a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon (King’s Birthday).

HIS MAJESTVS THEATRE. There was a very large audience ,at His Majesty’s Theatre, last evening to witness the presentation of the new programme of pictures. The “star” picture, which took up almost , the wholo of the second part, was entitled “The Forest Dwellers,” and it told the story of a Spanish feud which originated in a dispute over a large legacy. It was a magnificently staged production which was well acted in beautifully laid scenes,' and it won high favour, with the audience. Tlie latest “ Pathe Gazette,” - showing the most recent incidents of interest at Home and abroad, was one of the best items on the programme, and the Parisian fashions of hair dressing were shown, besides some very interesting topical news. “ The Roman Campagna,” a Pathe colour scenic, was a beautiful picture showing the wonderful buildings and roads of the old Romans still in an almost per-, feet state of preservation. “ The Ring” was a dramatic film depicting life in. an American clothing factory, in- which jealousy played a prominent part, but afterwards love triumphed and all ended happily. “In Daupliiny” gave a series of good views of one of the most beautiful and strongly fortified cities in Europe and its staple industry—the manufacture of kid gloves. In “ Tlie Schemers” John Bunny made a welcome reappearance, and as the, husband who, returning home late at night, pretends to kill an imaginary rival while hiding his own delinquencies, Bunny was shown at his very best. Hayward’s orchestra, under Mr W. F., Whitley, supplied acceptable accompaniments ,to the pictures, and the overture “Blissful Moment” and the entr’acte “TreS Mtmslafid ” (tango dance*), were loudly applauded. Tlie same pictures will he screened this evening, and to-morrow a matinee performance will be given.

QUEEN S THEATRE. Tho programme at the Queen’s Thea* tre was shown for the last time yesterday, and was appreciated by large audiences at all sessions. To-dav there will be an entire change, and the “star picture will be Miss Nellie Stewart in the famous production “Sweet Nell ol Old Drury.” According to reports from places where the film has already made its appearance, “it is an excellent version of the remarkably romantic life of the London orange girl who played with the hearts of kings and reigned amongst queens as their superior. The picture had a remarkably successful run in Auckland, and the acting, staging and photography is said to bs almost perfect. The supporting programme will include the latest Topical Budget,.” “ An Exchange of Heads (comic) and “In Old Brittany (coloured scenic). Tlio Queen’s orchestra will supply suitable accompaniments.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. There was a large attendance at the Sydenham Theatre last night, when the new series of pictures was presented. The “ star” film was an exciting drama “ The Forest Dwellers,” ■ which depicted the story of a great legacy and of the wilful deeds that were done to secure it. The scenes were laid in picturesque surroundings, and the film was received with much approval by the audience. “ The vanine Hero ” was an. interesting dras-m, portraying. the remarkable sagacity and splendid courage of a dog. “The Roman Carapapna” was a charming scenic study, and tho “Patho Gazette” contained the latest of interesting world’s newsThe supporting films were “In. Danphi nv ” fscenic), “The Ring” (drama), and “The Schemers” and “Taming Terrible Ted ” (comedies), pie 6ame pictures will be shown to-night, and also at the holiday matinee to-morrow.

OLYMPIA RINK. Tho various sessions, were well patronised at the Olympia Rinlt. all day yesterday, when the invigorating pastime of skating was indulged, in by large numbers of skaters. Tho rinlc wil be open as usual to-day. On Mondav next a fnnoy dress and poster carnival will he held.