AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17199, 20 June 1916, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. -Tho new 'programme presented at the Opera House last night included five fresh turns by artists nob previously seen at the popular vaudeville theatre. There was a very large attendance. Barnes and Barnes, graceful poseurs and equilibrists, provided .an exhibition of strength and skill combined with daring. Gracie Quine, a charming descriptive balladist, mot with popular approval, and Jack Martin, a cowboy comedian, performed clover feats with ropes in. the form of ]oops arid hoops, the while punctuating his turn with quaint guips. . Dorando, a Chinese impersonator, played on instruments popular in the Celestial Empire, and the, Harrison: Stewarts, - coloured comedians, in a display of negro vaui&eviile, completed the turn of new visiting arfeisto. Carlton Max g&vs another exhibition of ventriloquism; Agnes Rawes, balladist, King pleasingly in new numbers; Sidney Jones kept tho audience in constant merriment with his smart musical turn at tho piano; Merton and Rydon wero heard in another of their hilarious English comedy sketches; and last, but not least, must be mentioned the remarkable acrobatic display by Tiny Tot Marjorio and Little Eileen, who wero accorded much applause. Tho programme will be repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, The large ■ attendance at His Majesty's Thoatrc last night, undoubtedly, was a compliment to Miss Mary Pickford, whose popularity as a moving picture actress is not waning. She appeared in a new role, that of Glad, the ragged waaf, in "The Dawri of "a To-morrow." She has never, perhaps, appeared to bettor advantage. Her personality and her beauty are well suited to tho character of a young girl Who exercises a powerful influence amongst those who live in tho slums of London. Tho plot is the old story of an innocent man accused of a crime, of an accumulation of evidence against him, of proof of his innocence being held by his rival, of his sweetheart's intervention on his behalf, suspicions, misunderstandings, the pricking of consciences, justice, love, and happiness. But the acting throughout certainly was above the average, and this gavo an absorbing interest to a piece which, in less skilful hands, would have been commonplace. The programme was notable, :>lso, for tho re-appearanco of Miss Flora Finch, who, in formor years, often took parts with tho late John Bunny. She was the principal figure in a humorous' item, entitled " The Conquest of Constantia." There was a good educational film, in colours, representing the cocoa industry in Trinidad; and tho "Gazette" contained fresh items from the battlefields. Tho programme will be repeated to-night. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A well-assorted programme of dramatic, humorous and topical items was presented at'Everybody's Theatre yesterday. The feature film was a very am using Triangle-Keystone comedy, ontitled "Dizzy Heights and Daring Hearts." The principal character was portrayed by Mr Chester Coukliii, better known as "Mr "Walrus," and his antics as an aviator were greeted with much laughter. Aeroplanes, bombs, parachutes and_ motor-cars plavcd a prominent part in the story, which concerned the rivalry between two purchasers of aerial supplies. Mr Maurice Costcllo and Miss Leah Baii-d were the principals in a drama, " Tho Gods Redeem." which showed how a pickpocket and an adventuress, Strang-

ers to each other, wero drawn togethor by accident and redeemed tho errors of tho past. An interesting film depicted scenes at Ypros, the shell-swept town of Flanders, and tho effect of the German artillery on tho noble buildings of that city, including tho famous Cloth Hall and the Cathedral. A clever comedy in which Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew" wero tho principal players and tho " Topical Gazette," with many interesting and up-to-date incidents, concluded an excellent programme, which will b® repoated today. GRAND THEATRE. The programme presented at the Grand Theatre yesterday was headed by another Motro production entitled " Pennington's Choice." Tho principal parts in tho picture wore taken by Mr Francis X. Bushman and Miss Beverley Bayne. The settings, photography and staging of the film were excellent. Tho story was of a wealthy Now York man who, for tho sake of the girl he loved, took up life in the woods and proved himself a man in order to get the father's consent to marriage. Scenes worthy of special mention were the diving of Miss Bayne from high rocks, Francis Bushman sparring with J J. Jeffries, ox-ohampion heavyweight of the world, and the fight in which he proves himself a man ot courage. " The Fablo of Sister Mae and tho "Topical Gazette" were' the remaining films on the programme, which will, be shown again to-day. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tho chief picture on the now programme shown at the Queen's Theatre vesterday was a five-reel drama entitled "Bought," featuring Mr Frederick Lewis and Miss Ethel Gray TerryTho picture, which contained many o-ood scones well and strongly acted, was a typical American problem play, and, while there was nothing in the scenes to which objection could be taken, tho theme was hardly a suitable one for picture patrons. Briefly, a husband was " bought •' for 10,000 dollars to save a girl's name, and the plot revolved through social and commercial channels to the customary blissful ending. It was an unusual and complex problem, containing very dramatic situations. The supporting pictures wero two comedies, a'Keystone production. "Their Husbands, a Los Angeles bathing farce, and Almost a Scandal," and the latest edition ot the '■Eclair Journal;" The same programme will be presented daily this week. GLOBE THEATRE. The change of programme screened At the Globe Theatre yesterday included ;< An Enemy of Mankind," the first of the "Stingaree" series of Australian bushranging adventures. ino instalment showed why a young man fled to Australia, and became a famous bushranger. His younger brother was extravagant and gay. and turned adeaf ear to tho elder brother's appeals. A man was shot, accidentally, by the elder brother, who was denounced as a murderer by his brother, who coveted the family estates. " Her Last Flirtation" was a comedy unfolding how r a fashionablo city girl was mastered by a cowboy. There were many amusing incidents. " The Great Lone Land " was a drama of the arid desert, and showed how a wife's devotion brought happiness. Other films were: "With tho Guards in the Front Lino/' "Dog-Gone Luck" and the " Australian Gazette." Tho programme will be repeated to-day. staliland. ' The now programme of pictures at Starland yesterday was of exceptional merit, and covered a wide range of subjects. Tho principal film, entitled " The White Scar," was a lively story of Western life in America, a pretty romance being built round the doings of tho rough people of the early days. The picture was notable for some beautiful lake and river scenery, and the story was full of stirring incidents. An interesting industrial film showed the General Electrical Company's works at Schenectady, which cover some hundreds of acres and constitute a town in themselves. Not only was tho industry portrayod but the social life of the workers was made a feature of the picture. The Imperial song series was continued with " Silver Threads Among the Gold," a charming picture of Darby and Joan dreaming of their younger days. Miss Iris Edgar sang the accompaniment. An automobile comedy, in which a young lady with the speed mania figured, and an interesting "Eclair Journal" brought a fine programme to a close The entertainment, which will be repeated continuously to-day, was much enhanced by a strong orchestra. SY DEN HAM PICTURES.

The chief film on the new programme shown at the Sydenham Theatre last night was entitled "Tho Dawn of a T(>morrow." a. picture form of Mrs Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous drama. Miss Mary Piekford in the principal character gave one'of her inimitable interpretations, and her work throughout was delightful. The situations alternated between the pathetic and humorous and in nil Miss Piekford gave a biillicit performance. Tho supporting pictures were tho lateso edition of the " Pathe Gazette" and a comedy entitled "The Conquest of Constantia." The programme will be repeated to-night.

OLYMPIA KINK. The Olynipia Pink continues to afctract largo numbers of skaters. It will be open as usual to-day and tonight _