AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THE SHAKESPEAREAN. SEASON. At the Theatre Royal this evening a Shakespearean company headed by Mr Allan Wilkie and Miss Frediawyde Hunter-Watts will commence a season of thirteen nights. The initial production will bo “Tho Merchant of \ enico, in which Air Wilkie will appear as Shylock, and Miss Hunter-Watts ns Portia. The cast includes a number of old favourites, in addition to several English artists who will make their first appearance in Christchurch. It should be noted that during the run of this play the curtain will ho raised at eight o'clock punctually each evening. Tho second production of the season will bo “Hamlet,” which will be staged on Tuesday and- Wednesday next. On Thursday,' Friday and Saturday “Twelfth Night” will bo presented, and will be followed by “llomeo and Juliet,” “As You Like It” and “ Othello.” To make a success of suoli opposite parts as Mr Wilkie and Miss Hunter-Watts have apparently done, to the satisfaction of theatregoers in Australia, is evidence of their talent and versatility. The six productions will be staged under the personal supervison of Mr Wilkie, who has a 6 Bta.ge manager Mr Fred Patey, while tner orchestra will be conducted by Mr E. B. Gilchrist, The box plans are open at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s. The plan for to-night’s performance will ho on view at the Toy Cnve after noon to-day, where day solo tickets may also be obtained. OPERA HOUSE. The usual matinee will be given at the Opera House this afternoon, commencing at 2.30, in addition to the evening performance at eight o clock. This will* be the final performance ot King and Thornton with their excellent sketch entitled “The Sheriff, also Chadtvick and Campbell, concertina experts, Lennon and Hill, sketch artists, and Bert la, Blanc’s revue, “In Watt*.” . On Monday evening a number or new artists will make their first appearances, and tho Bert la Blanc Company will produce their fifth and final letuo, entitled “ At the Exposition. , HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. At the matinee at His Majesty s Theatre to-day, there will bo presented a programme for the children containing special attractions, lheso include views of the most wonderful collection of animals in captivity m tho London and Pans Zoos. , subjects are “ Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid,” The Fightmg Lieutenant, Gunmakmg, 1 atty Joins the Force” and a Ma*x ~Hinder comed'i'i le programme shown during the week, headed by tho Parisian drama, “ A Child of the Pans Streets, will not be screened in the afternoon, but will be shown to-night for the last time On Monday the-chief item on. the programme is a picture entitled At Hav ” Tho film is tho first of the Pathe “ Gold Rooster ” productions taken in a new studio erected m America, claimed to be the largest and best equipped picture studio in the '"’Oila. The ston* is of a beautiful society girl who comes under the influence’ of 'a roftie, and marries him, only tp become the victim of an unscrupulous gang ot blackmailers. Florence Reed will bo seen in the principal part. PICTURE SHOWS. To-dav will bo the last opportunity of seeing “Far from the Aladding Crowd” and the supporting programme at tho Queen s lheatre. At the day sessions two special films, “Trailed to the Hills, a cowboy drama, and “ The-Cluet’s Dang iter, an Indian story, will bo shown, m addition to the ordinary programme. “The Circus of Death” is the feature film to bo shown on Monday. It is a Cines photodrama in six parts, and is a companion picture to ibe Jockey ot Death,” which broke all previous 10cords at tlie Queen’s Theatre. It u billed as “ a circus, a pantomime ancl a supel-b drama combined in one picTbuiight will be the final presentation of the attractive progranuuo screened, during tho week at Everybody s Ineatre. “Crooky,” a Vitagraph -comedy, starring Frank Daniels, has been drawing big houses daily. sportmg study, “The White Hope,” will be the prmciual item on, Monday. The picturo includes some realistic fighting scenes, which should make a special appeal to those interested in boxing. Ihe story deals with the social and love affaiis of a young man who is induced to become a “ professional fighter, despite the wishes of his fiancees mother. Ilit supporting items include a comedy, “Jerry’s Big Lark,” starring^ George Ovov, the “ Gauniout Graphic- and a scenic picture entitled * Tho X alley of Trossonoy.” - , Star land was well attended nit vesterdav’s sessions when ITe CTippled Hand.” a story of a modem Cinderella, and the supporting films on the programme were again screened. ino same pictures .will be shown to-day. On Monday the main film in the iiow programme will, be “ Two Men o Sandy Bar,” featuring Hobart Bosworth. “Tho Mull Between,', a Motro drama, will be tho mam item m the new programme to be shoun at tne Grand Tleatre to-day. The pnncipa parts are taken by the popular artists Francis X. Bushman and Miss Berdiev Bayne. There will be the usual matinees from noon, at which special films will be shown in addition to the ordinary programme. The London Film Company s thrilling play. “The Kleptomaniacs Redemption.” and the supporting pictures will be screened ,at all sessions at the Globe Theatre for the last time to-day. In addition a special film, * Tho Lav of the West,” a gelie IVestern drama, will be shown at the afternoon sessions. On Mondav the, new programme will include a Triangle-Keystone comedy, “Fickle Fatty’s Fall,” featuring Koscoe Arbuokle. _ , ~ ~ - “The Kleptomaniacs Redemption was against screened last evening, at the Sydenham Theatre, and with tlie supporting films, was much applauded bv the large audience. Tho programme will be repeated this afternoon and this evening. MIROVITOH-PIASTRO CONCERTS. Arrangements have been made for the distinguished Russian artists, MM. Miroviteh and Piastre, to give two return 1 concerts in Christchurch on October 2S and 30. They will appear at tlie Theatre Royal and will be assisted by tlie Christchurch Orchestral Society. In their return recital they will play numbers new to Christchurch audiences, and will -repeat many of the favourites with which they made their mark on their previous visit to this city.