AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17286, 29 September 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Despite the rain last evening there was a good attendance at. the Opera House, when the current programme was again presented. Bert La Blanc’s clever little company scored their usual success with the revue “In Watts ’ and the vaudeville turns, headed by Lea Legertg, expert gymnasts, and King and Thornton, sketch artists, were accorded much applause. The programme will be repeated to-night and also at the usual matinee to-morrow. picture' shows.. The programme at the Globe Theatre yesterday was headed by.a London Film Company production entitled “Paste, or the Kleptomaniac’s Redemption,” , a story dealing with an honest mairs battle against inisfortuno duo to his wife being a kleptomaniac and to a dishonest business pdrtnor. Tho new items also included a film showing views ill Russia, a comic picture “The Winning Hit,” and an interesting “Topical Budget.” The same pictures will bo shown to-day. ■ “Tho Yellow Passport” w.as shown• to large attendances at the Grand Theatre yesterday. The supporting pictures included a “Topical Gazette, showing the French advance on the Somme, and a comedy entitled “ lien in Rome.” -To-morrow there will bo a complete change of programme, the principal picture being' a “ Metro photo-play entitled “The Mall Between, in which Francis X Bushman and Beverley Payne are featured. * The Queen’s Theatre was well-attend-ed yesterday, when “Far From the Madding Crowd ” was again screened. With the supporting items it will be shown again to-day. On Monaay, tho new programme will be headed by a powerful drama, entitled “ Tho Circus of Death.” % '' ' “ The'Crippled Hand',’’ with tho excellent supporting films, attracted large attendances at Starlaml yesterday. The samb programme will be screened ■ Tho popularity of the “ Cliild of the Paris Streets,” the main film at his Majesty’s Theatre, was well maintained last evening. Other films included the latest “Pathe Gazette and an animated cartoofi. The - programme will be repeated this evening and at the matinee tomorrow. • Everybody’s Theatre was largely patronised* yesterday. “ Crooky,” a comedy depicting the adventures of an escaped convict' caused much laughter. The supporting films were also of high standard. The programme will be repeated to-day. " . “The Kleptomaniac’s Redemption, a powerful comedy drama, was the chief film in the new programme last evening at the Sydenham Theatre and was loudly applauded. Other films were “The Winning Punch,” “A Trip Through Russiaand the “Topical. Budget.” The films will be shown this evening. THE SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON. The loug-expected Shakespearean season by Mr Allan Wilkie and Miss Fredtswyde Hu titer-W atts will commence at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. The first production, which is to be staged to-morrow and Monday, will bo Shakespeare’s great tragi-com-edy “The Merchant of Venice.” In criticising this production at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, tho “Argus” said: “In Mr Wilkie the mangement has acquired "h well-equipped actor, whoris not likely to bring into contempt* any - of the mighty roles he promises to essay. His Shylock was a straightforward. sensible delineation. ■ Miss Frediswyd9 Hunter-Watts -played her part in a most practical fashion, and with a certain sly sense of fun.” The second nrocluction, which is to ho staged on Tuesday -and Wednesday next, will be “ Hamlet,” which will he followed by “ Twelfth Night.” “Romeo and Juliet,” “As You Like It ” and “Othello.” The box plans for the,first three productions aro open at Messrs Milner and. Thompson's. •