AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17030, 3 December 1915, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

“DAMON AND PYTHIAS.”

The spectacular photo-play “Damon and Pythias” was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night. The play is magnificently staged; in the destruction of Agrigentum thousands of dollars’ worth of buildings were erected and then destroyed by fire. The dash ■of the chariots through the smoke-filled atmosphere, tlvß fleeing of . tho inhabitants from th© burning city, the onrush of the soldiers and chariots of the relieving army are all thrillingly show n. The closing performance will be given to-morrow night. There will be a matinee to-morrow at 2.30.

GLEjQ SOCIETY’S CONCERT. The Christchurch Glee and Madrigal Booietv held a concert at the Chora Hall last evening in aid ot the Keel Cross Fund. The attendance was large and the various items were heartily applauded. The choral numbers, given under the baton of Mr Sidney Williamson, included the part-songs “Strike the Lyre” (Cooke), “The Water-side (Ba'inton), “The Snow” (Elgar), ‘ In Absence” (Dudley Buck), “There was an Old Woman” (Jarratt), ‘.When Allen-a-dale Went a-Hunting” (D 0 Pearsall), “Stars of the Summer Night” (West), “ A Franklyn’s Doggc (Mackenzie), “The Goslings ” (Budge), M Where the Bee Sucks ” (Ahie), aud “Haill Bright Abode” (Wagner), the motets “ Adoramus T©”- (Palestrina) and “ Jesus Dulcis” (da Vittoria) and the madrigal “ In Going to My Lonely Bed” (Edwards). The duet “A Summer’s Night” (Goring Thomas) was nung by Miss Marjorie Harris' and Mr Sidney Williamson, and the trio “Run Up the Sail” (Smart) by Miss Marjorie Harris, Miss Ethel J ohnston and Air Sidney Williamson. The soloists of the evening were' Miss Marjorie- Harris, who sang “My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair” (Haydn) and “The Wooing of the Rose” (Franck),.and Mr Sidney ( Williamson, who sang', the aria “ Eri iu cho Macchiavi ” (Verdi). QUEEN’S THEATRE.^ Yesterday a new programme was screened at the -Queen’s r l heatre, headed by a dramatic photo-play entitled “When the Light Comes In.” It is the story of a girl so deeply affected by her mother’s death that even her sweetheart cannot rouse her from melancholy. Ho seeks the aid of a friend of his betrothed, and these two are naturally thrown a great deal in each other’s company. On the day of the postponed marriage the hero finds his bride’s friend weeping over his photography and his emotions getting the better of him he embraces her. The two Sre discovered in this attitude by the eroine, who on hearing their confession of love decides not to spoil their happiness. She retires into seclusion, in time her former sweetheart dies, leaving his wife and a small child, who, however, proves no comfort to his mother, and she soon follows her husband to the grsve, much to the secret joy ' of her rival, who nevertheless had undertaken to care for the child. On the morning after the funeral, just when tlie child was ready to leave for the orphanage, he complained of the darkness of the room, for, by a strange caprice, the heroine kept her room in darkness. She drew up tho blind, letting the light flood the room. At the same time light flooded her own soul and her dark thoughts and jealousies were dispelled and she decided to keep the orphaned child of her two former friends. Tlie supporting films include “ A Perilous Chance,” an American story of train robbers. Another excellent picture is entitled the “ Applied

Romance,” a comedy-drama. Tho comic element is" supplied by an Edi,son comedy, “Poor Baby,” while the latest “Pathe Gazette” helps to remind one of the great war. Tho programme will ho screened at all sessions to-morrow. GRAND THEATRE. The “star” film of the new programme screened at the Grand Theatre yesterday was entitled “ Deserter of Submarine 52.” In the story tho hero was a commander of a British submarine. While experimenting with a new explosive he was injured, and during his convalescence was invited to the home of a family, where he fell in love with the daughter, and they were married. Soon after the weciumg the officer was ordered to proceed to sea with his vessel, but owing to a childish caprice of his wife, who was vexed at her husband leaving her, he missed his train, and the submarine left on its expedition without him. The vessel was sunk, and it was generally believed that tho •commander was amongst the missing. Ho retired into hiding, but often visited at night the scene of his former happiness. In tho end ho did notable service for his country, and was united to his wife. There were some exciting incidents in tho pieoe, and some of the scenes, especially one representing 'moonlight, were effective. The supporting films were “ The Invisible Dog,” “A Hot Finish,” “John Bull’s Animated Gazette ” and “ Belgium Troops Storming the German Trenches.” Tho same programme will be shown to-day and to-night. 1 OPERA HOUSE. Another very large audience was present at the Opera House last night and thoroughly enjoyed the various vaudeville items. Herbert Brooks had his audience in a- state of mystification alternating with merriment all the time he occupied the stage. Vernon, and Sinclair were successful in their comedy sketch, and Morris and Meeker also scored well. The programme will bo repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “The Heart of a Child,” the photoplay adapted from. Fr.ank Danby’s famous hook, is still drawing big houses at His Majesty’s Theatre. The programme will he repeated this evening. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ From Headquarters ” was repeated at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday, with other items on this week’s programme, which will be given again to-day and to-night. GLOBE THEATRE. “ Shanghaied,” the latest instalment of the “ Million Dollar Mystery,” was again shown at the’Globe Theatre yesterday. Tho supporting films contained a now “Topical Gazette.”. The same pictures will be shown to-day and this evening. SYDENHAM PICTURES. At th(j Empire Picture Theatre, Sydenham, last evening, a new programme was presented, headed by the Vitngraph drama “ From Headquarters,” in which Anita Stewart played the principal role, and a powerful plot was developed in interesting fashion. “An African Hunt” was a cleverly devised cartoon film, and the Lubin drama “ An Hour of Freedom ” was originally planned and well acted. “Picturesque China” provided tho scenic element, comedy being represented by “ Father Love” and “The Professor’s Painless Cure.” The latest edition of the “ Gaumont Graphic” minded off a well selected a tic? attractive programme, which was heartily appreciated by a large audience. The same films will bo shown this evening. “POTASH AND PERLMUTTER.” More than usually spirited advance booking is anticipated at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s this morning, when the box plans for the'coming J. C. Williamson attraction, “ Potash and Perlmutter,” will be opened at nine o’clock. The play is said to be the funniest comedy produced in Australasia and will be interpreted by several of the American principals. The critic of the “New Zealand Times,”" Wellington, writes of the production as follows:—“The reception that was given to ‘ Potash and Perlmutter ’ in Wellington could not have been more satisfactory. Tho theatre was crowded and the laughter rippled on throughout the three acts with frequent spasms of uproarious merriment. The success of the piece was spontaneous, brilliant and confirmed to the very close. As to the cast, when it is said that five of the parts were taken by their original exponents ill America, its remarkable efficacy may lie well understood. It would bo hard to imagine two more suitable .representatives of Abe Potash and Mawruss Perlmutter than Air Paul Burns and Air Sam La Bert respectively. They are irresistibly amusing during every moment they occupy the stage. The comedy is magnificently presented and constitutes an entirely notable production which should on no account ue missed. The merriment is continually bubbling up like good champagne, and the delightful continuity is suggestive of Tennyson’s brook.” The Christchurch season is for five night only, commencing on Alonday evening next at tho Theatre Royal at eight o’clock.

CHRISTCHUKCH .MUSICAL SO. CTETY. The Christchurch .Musical Society will bring its year’s work to a eloso on December 13* with a performance of Handel's oratorio “The Messiah,” in His Majesty’s Theatre. This concert is open to the public. ihe chorus has been strengthened by many voices for this occasion. Tickets are obtainable at various business places, and tho box plan will open on Monday next at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s.

TILLAGE FAIR. A “Village Fair” ill aid of tlie convalescent homo for wounded soldiers will be held at Thompson’s Camp, Bowhill Road, New Brighton, to-morrow, commencing at noon. A number of stalls havo been attractively stocked, and many side-shows will bo conducted.

A programme of amusements will include fancy dancing by school children, and the New Brighton Marine Band will bo in attendance. A “Continental Concert ” will be hold in tho evening.