AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17264, 4 September 1916, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

CHORAL HALL.

'liitpviTOH-piAsnio concert;

MAI. Alfred Mirovitch and Michaol Pir.s.tro, two Russian musiciaus who are making a concert tour of New Zealand, were hoard at the Choral Hall on Saturday night in the first of their'pianoforte and violin recitals. The audience was disappointingly small, but it was certainly enthusiastic whoa once it ionised the very high standard of playing. The performance was highly gratifying to lovers or' good music, and was an object-lesson for musical students. MAI. Mirovitch and Piastre- both graduated at the Petrograd Conserva- !.(;. ixim of Music, and tney have acquiri i a considerable reputation in their own country. M. Mirovitch compares most favourably with tho ' greatest expencnts of the piano who have been h.j'-ri on the concert platform in Ohristcuurch. He is a master of technique, a d is freo from mannerisms. His hands ar-j small, but he manipulates the keys gracefully., and he possesses fino playing s. ami.nn.. He displays considorablo inci.. duality in his interpretations, and i-i not.a slave, to traditions. Ths was notcenble particularly in the Chopin sonata. M. Mirovitch is versatile .also,

r.nd it would be difficult, to say in which role he is most apt, whether as an into "prefer of Beethoven, Chopin or Liszt. In the "Sonata in A minor" (tho Kieutzcr sonata), for violin and piano,

M. Mirovitch showed that ho was a most sk»lful and sound delineator of Beethoven. His playing.of Chopin's '•'Sonata in C-flat Minor'' was ample evidence of his ability to describe the poetry of Chopin's temperament and the iirc of his gen ins, while the performance of the " Rhapsody Rongrcse. No. <>,'' stamped the Russian pianist as a most worthy exponent of Liszt. His other programme number , was the boautifnl iJsat" nocturne. ';"'" Dream of Low.""" As" eiicores, M. Mirovitch played Brahm's " Waltz in A-flft " and a Chopin waltz. M. Piastre- is a thoroughly accomplishod and gifted violinist, and he produces a beautiful even quality of tone that has not been excelled by any of I the groat artists who liavo been heard [ in Oiiristehurch. He. too, has remark', able command of technique, and wields ' a- facile bow. His flying staccato pas- ! sages, rapid repetition of a single note ' by tho rebounding bow stroke, and . manipulation of ehordal masses, multistopping and leaps m extended harmonics were astonishing. Intricate harmonic passages possessed no terrors, for M. Piastro, and every note was delivered cleanly and with pure tone. Better work in violin harmonics it would be difficult to imagine. M. Piastre's playing may be said to combine the masterfulness of a Heennann with the brilliance- of a Kubelik, the firo of a Musin and the elegance of a itemenyi. Apart , from tho splendid part he played in the • .Kreutzer sonata, M. I'iastro contributed the first movement of Wieniawski's " Concerto in i'-sharp Minor," "Car-, nival- Russo " by the .same, composer, and. tho Schubert-Wilhelmj ".Ave Maria," and as encores ■ ho. played Fibich's beautiful " Tone Poem," a minuet by Nardini, and a portion of a Beethoven trio arranged by himsolf far the violin, unaccompanied. I Tho second recital will bo held in the > Choral Hall to-night, commencing at eight o'clock. Tho following piano solos ' will, bo played by Al. Mirovitch :-•-'■' Or- ' ' gan Concerto in 1> Minor" (Bach".Stradal); "Sonata, Opus 27. No. 2' ■ (the "Moonlight Sonata - ') (Beihcven): i " Vatso Gracieuse" (Mirovitch); and . I " Campa'nella" (Liszt). M. Piastre's . violin solos will bo "Symphonic Espagnolo," movements 1, 4 rnd 5 (Lalo); ■Nocturne in. id Minor" (Chopin--1 Auer): and "Souvenir do .Moscow" ' (Wioniawski). MM. Mirovitch and Piastro will also play Nicolaeff's " Sonata ; for Piano and Violin in G Minor." THEATRE ROYAL. Saturday evening's performance of • tho Tivoli Follies at the Theatre Royal i was witnessed by a house packed from • floor to ceiling. Miss Vera Pearco, al- , though suffering from a relaxed throat i that had forced her to rest in several i numbers at the matinee, during which I timo her understudy. Miss Peggy • Peato, sang her gongs very croI ditably, was accorded much applause i for her fine work in the Honolulu i Dance and in tho Navy number, while , the coloured comedian, Walter Wecms, i in his quaint witticisms, caused much ■ laughter. George Welch, Jack Cannot, , Billy Rego, Joan Keith, Frank Greene > and Thelma Rave also received a hill , mead of applause, while the Belgian , Concert Party and Miss Ella Caspers scored their ItWial success. There will be an entire change of programmo to-night. All tho principals will be heard in new numbers, and new choruses and ballets will be featured. Among tho new turns will be "A Night at a V audeville Show,:. a sequel to the humorous " Drunken Conductor," presented last week; and jack Cannot, by request, will repeat his last year's success, " Gilbert the Filbert." To-morrow night, tho last night of the season, will be a gala night. Patrons aro asked not to study the programmo too carefully, as the_ company will bo out to amuse tho audience iu a casual way. OFLTiA HOUSE. A special attraction will be presented in the new programmo at the Opera House this evening, v;hon the first appearance is announced of Bert La Blanc's Travesty Stars, a combination", or twenty star revue artists, said to be the best turn on the Fuller circuit. The first production is entitled " Fuzzy I Wuzzy," billed as a "musical travesty i scream of hilarity.'' The principal mem- ; hers of the company are Bert La Blanc I and Jake Mack (comedians), and Carlton Chase, Maudo Miles, Durham Marcel, Nellie Farrow,. Glenmoro Jones. Holly Leslie and Glyn Edgarci. The ballets and chorus have been specially | selected, and the quartet is a feature

of tho rovue. The- Christchurch season fa limited to four weeks only, a now rovuo being produced weekly. The programmo will also include a full vaudeville bill, consisting of items by " Orphca," a clever instrumentalist; Kingsloy and Grahame. a singing duo; and the Eurasians, Elsio Morris and Campbell and Walker. " THE KISS OF HATE." "The Kiss of Hate,'' a fascinating picture drama by the Metro Company, proved au irresistible attraction at the Grand Theatre on Saturday. The story is laid-in Siberia, and deals with typical Russian life and romance. Mystery and intriguo combino to mako a really interesting picture, a feature of which is the extraordinary snow scenes, tho Siberian views being particularly striking. Ethel Barrymore makes her first appearance in films m Cliristchurch in this picture, and she created a favourable impression. Tho play is an excellent examplo of the Metro film dramas which have already established themselvos in public favour. To-day an added attraction to lovero of the serial photo-play will be the initial screening of the first series of ' Iho Broken Coin," which is stated to havo had an extraordinary run in other centres. Prominent in tho picture are Grace Cuuard and Francis Ford, who will bo remembered for their great performances in a previous serial, " Lucille Love." "The Broken Coin is claimed to bo tho most thrilling and sensational serial ever produced. Eddie Polo, an ex-e'reus man. is the figure round whom most of the big scenes aro ranged. Ho is a man of giant strength, and his acting and feats of strength are features in the story. Iso expense has been spared in the production of the film.

SARAH BERNHARDT IN "JEANNE DORE."

Tho new programmo at Starland today will be headed by a New-Bio Exclusive film, showing tho famous Sarah Bernhardt in " Jeanne Doro. Tho drama, deals /with the theme of a wayward son and a loving mother. Its incidents include a love affair a niurder and an execution. During the execution scene, which is stated to bo particularly impressive, tho management has decided that the doors shall 'remmn closed and no one admitted. In this sombre tragedy tho performance of the great French actress is said to be wonderful and inspiring. In tho role of the anguished wife and mother she wins unrestrained sympathy. After Madame Bernhardt the principal interest in tho play attaches to the part of a scapegrace son, Jacques Doro, played by Mr Raymond Bernard, the son of the author of tho drama. A coquette who lures Jacques to his ruin is played by Mdllo Costa, a noted actress, and all the other roles have been appropriately cast. The film was produced a year ago in Paris by M. Louis Mercanton, and was the first dramatic penormaneo by Madame Bernhardt after her amazing recovery from an oneraticn which involved the loss of her' leg. An excellent supporting programme will bo shown at each session. In view of the largo crowds which are anticipated at the evening sessions patrons are advised where possible to attend in the afternr.on. " THE SINS OF THE MOTHERS." To-day at noon, at Everybody's Theatre, there will be introduced a complete change of programme, beaded by tho Vitagraph Company's stylishly staged society photo-play, "Thr Sins of tho Mothers.'" The subject - an attractive theme, with tin' <:■'.) : roles interpreted by Earle Williams, r.s a young husband, Julia. Rwayno Gordon as an inveterate gambler, who seeretlv conducts a society gambling house." and Anita Stewart, as her daughter, who inherits her mother's insatiable craving for gambling. The supporting programme includes an amusing Triangh'-Kcystone two-reel comedy. " The Bathhouse Blunder," and a " Gaumont Graphic,''- replete with interesting war and other news. Thero is also a picturesque travel film, depicting a trip on the Alpine lakes. "Tho Sins of the Mothers" will ho screened at 12.10 p.m., 1.55 p.m., 3.40 p.m., 5.25 p.m., 7.10 p.m. and 9 p.m. The management anticipates large afctndances throughout this week, and advises all those who can to attend tho afternoon sessions and avoid tho big crowds at night.- Special musical selections have been arranged by Mr Albert Bidgood, Everybody's musical director. PICTURE SHOWS. The new programme to bo presented at His Majesty's Theatre this evening will bo headed by a Triangle production. "Jealousy," or; as it was originally called, " The Green Swamp." Tins is a story of a woman's fight against her besetting sin, jealousy, which she has allowed to embitter her life and well nigh wreck her homo. The principal part is- taken by tho popular actress Bessie Barriscale. Other items include the second series of "Physical Education/' as shown by the slow process of kinematography, the " Pathe Gazette," a comedy, "Her Bad Quarter of an Hour," "The Eyes of tho Army," a topical item, and " Wonders of Niagara." Miss Alice Brady, who has been seen in Christchurch in a number of powerful films, plays the lend in the World Film Corporation' drama, " The Ballot Girl," the star picture at the Queen's Theatre to-day. * The film tells the life story of a ballet girl, and deals with work " behind the scenes." Supporting Miss Brady ib Mr Holbrook B'inn, one of America's most prominent actors. Other items on the programme include the " Eclair Journal." a comedy filna entitled " Tno Also Rans," and a dramatic production, "The -Useless One."

"The Green' Swnlnp," a powerful story dealing with matrimonial misundf.'rs.'tandings, brought about by a jealous wife, and featuring Bessie Barriscale, will be the star picture at the Sydenham Theatre this evening. AiJd tional items on the programme are' "Her Bad Quarter of an Hour" (oomrdy), " Wonders of Ningara " (scenic). •' Physical Culture," "The Eyes of tho Army," and tho " Pathe Gazette." Tho star pictnro will be scroene<l at 6.30 and 8 p.m. The new programme at the Globs Theatre to-day includes the star drama, •'The Offending Kiss,"* by the Vitagraph Company, a story of a frontier woman who sacrifices herself to save the man she loves, and he in turn saves her. Supporting pictures are "The Great Pearl Tangle, a Triangle-Key-stone comedy; "The Vanderbilt Cup Itace," and the '' Gaumont Graphic." "THE BIRTH OF A NATION." Tho' world-iamous picture, "The Birth of a Nation." which has been secured by J. O. Williamson, Ltd., will open a 'season of seven nights ab the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. At the Liberty Theatre, Now York, tho film had a record run of over 800 nights, and at London at present it is in its seventh month of a continuous run. The picture presents a series of gigantic scenes, in which over 18,000 men, women and children and 300 horses appear. The changing scenes of the American Civil War are depicted on the film, which is the creation of D. W. Griffith, the most renowned picture producer in the world. The box plans for the Christchurch season will open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's on Wednesday morning. Only one matinee will bo given during the season—ntmoly, on Saturday, September 16. Day sales will bo available at the Toy Cave. There are no early door charges. WILLIAMSON SUBMARINE PICTURES. Tho Williamson Submarine Pictures, which havo been presented during tho week at tho King's Theatre, were shown at a matinee on Saturday evening and the Christchurch season concluded with the evening performance.