AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17527, 10 July 1917, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. • Another change of programme was staged n.t the Opera House fast night, -and it was received very favourably by a large audience. The new artists included Haig and Haig, two strong men, who gave a distinctive athletic display, with a wonderful one-armed' lift from the floor. Taylor and NTQuoin sang some excellent duets and solos, the song “ A Ship that’s Bound for Blighty" bringing! down the house. The Gadabout Girls wore in very good iorm in their vocal solo and concerted items, and Bill C. Brown, tho coloured comedian, had a very flattering reception., A sensational sorie3 of xylophone solos was given by Murfayne, whs was very cleverly accoin-, panied by tho orchestra. The Bunty Comedy Company, who are now in their last week, staged another homely and pleasant comedy of Scottish life which was, very much appreciated. Billy and Doris, a clever dancing oouple, gave a vory entertaining turn, and Cusko's Monkeys, assisted by their canino friend Jerry, brought a very successful programme to a conclusion.- The same ortißts will appear this ovening. STRAND THEATRE. For tho first Paramount picture to he shown at the -Strand Theatre, the choice of “ Snow White," featuring Marguerite Clark, was extremely fortunate. The film, which was shown yesterday with considerable suc•cea:|, gives a picture version of the wellknown story in Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and the opportunities for beautiful and artistic scones, as well as for lavish production have been fully seized. The appearance of children in the picture adds greatly to its charm, and provides Miss Clark with a role , in which her undoubted ability and oharm have full play. Miss Clark is deservedly numbered amongst tho greatest favourites of tho screen and it is beyond doubt that “Snow Whito ” will do much to increase her already large circle of admirers. Additional interest is given to the picture by the appearance of Dorothy Cumming as tho Fairy Queeu. Miss Cumming ig a young Australian actress who is well-known on the Christchurch stage. It was after her appearance in “Snow White” that she was specially engaged by Cyril Maude fqr his Australian ' tour. This excellent picture, so well suited to young folks as well as giving pleasure to adults, is supported by' a very funny Vogue comedy and. an , interesting Pa-the Gazette. “ Snow White ” is tho first of a new series of Paramount films, in future to be exclusively shown in Christchurch at the Strand Theatre, which will therefore utilise in its programme such established stars as Man- Pickford in tho new pictures produced by her own company, -Douglas Fairbanks (who was with the Triangle Company). Billie Burke, Olga Petrova (formerly with the Metro pictures), Fatty Arbuckle (until latoly with the Keystone films), Margaret Illington, Pauline Frederick, Mary Fuller and Marguerite Clark. “ Snow Whito ” will be shown overy day this week between noon and 10.30 p.m., and at tho night sessions and on Saturday afternoon the Elwood Trio will supply the music.

TRENCH COMFORTS FUND CONCERT. Mr Alfred Bunz will give a concert in the Choral Hall to-night, the proceeds of whioh are to be devoted to purchasing Christmas parcels for the men in the trenches. In- addition to playing Beethoven’s Fifth Sonata for violin and piano with Miss Louise Croucher, Mr Alfred Bunz will play the following solos:—Thirty-two Variations, C minor (Beethoven), Fantasia, Opus 49 (Cliopin), Nocturno an D-flat, Opus 27 (Chopin); Pastorale (Sear-latti-Tausig),. Moto Continuo (Weber), Segguidillas (Albeniz), Canzonett-a (Leschctizsky) and Tarantella (Leschetizsky). Mißs Bessie Olds, soprano soloist, will sing "O, Fair and Sweet and Holy” (Rubinstein), “Dedication” (Schumann) and “Lorraine, Lorraine, Loree” (Spross), and Mr Charles Clarkson (baritone), will bo heard in “Elcanoro” (Cole-ridge-Taylor), “Requiem” (Foote) and “The Crown of Love” (R. A.’Home). Mrs 'W. Wrather will play the accompaniments. The box plan is at Tho Bristol. “BATTLE OF THE ANCRE.” Tho official war film, “Tho‘Battle of the Ancre,” which will bo shown for the first time in Christchurch at His Majesty’s .Theatre on Saturday afternoon, is the first picture which has boon made tho standing military orders. Never before, probably, in tho history of tho British Army have the officers considered the educational aspect of Iho kinema- film. So impressed, however, wero tho commanding officers who wero present, with the members of the Ministry, at the private viow of tho “Battle of tho Ancre,” with its educational value ,in in-

structing men in certain field operations illustrated therein, that every selclier in tho Trontham and Foatherston Camps was ordered to parade to see these-films, which the Y.M.C.A. had arranged with the Minister of Internal Affairs to exhibit «t> its own expense to tho men. In the film tho gain drill of tho men and the Tapidity with which they are seen firing tho huge howitzers and guns is marvellous to anyone -witnessing it for tho first time. Tho actual scenes in trench and dugout are alsoclearly depicted. “The Battle of the Ancre,” recording the advance of tho Tanks, will be shown for one week, commencing itext Sntarday at tho matinee, after -which two screenings will take place daily. Tho box plan will open at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s this morning at ten o’clock, and, judging by the interest already evinced, there should be a record booking. In Wellington. 18,009 people witnessed ten exhibitions, comprising five daily matinees and five nightly exhibitions. J. C. WILLIAMSON PANTOMIME. Once more flic annual pantomime with all its novelty and gaiety is announced, and on Monday evoning next a briof . season of six nights and two matinees will be inaugurated at the Theatre Royal. The J. C. Williamson pantomime always suggests the -biggest theatrical event of the yoar, ar.ct "The House that Jack Built” appears to havo fulfilled tho suggestion, judging from reports from other centres. Its four outstanding features are said to bo the new artists introduced, the gorgeous costume revelations, superb stage settings, and extremely funny comedians. The new - artists comprise Miss Hilda Guiver. (principal boy), Gretchen Yates (principal girl), Constance Cayley (Prince Regent), and Harry Roxbury (the celebrated English comedian), whose impersonation of Sammy is said to. bo the funniest played part in any pantomime for years. The other comedians, Frederick Hearns, Ernest Langford and William Fullbrook, come with big London reputations. Other established favourites aro Arthur Stirra.nt (Dame), Chas. Albert (Demon), Amy Murphy (Fairy Queen),. Dorothy Fitmin (Madge) and Maggie Dickenson (tho -clever Australian dancer). A few of tho novel and attractive specialities are:—Sammy and tho Cow with tho Crumpled Horn, the Animated Dolls, Building a Chicken House, Musical Milking, Procession of Vegetables, the Uproaroua Telephono Scene, the Haunted Mirror, the Terrifying Tanks, the Allies and tho Anzaes, the Beautiful Seasons Ballot, Grand Patriotic Pageant, Our Boys, the Navy and Army, the March Past of the Allies and tho grand patriotic scone, “ Onr Own Dear Flag.” Tho box plans will bo opened at Messrs Milner and Thompson's on Thursday , at 9 a.m.

ROLLER SKATING. Roller skating at the Colosseum Rink was well patronised yesterday, especially at the evening session, when enjoyable selections ■were played by Dunn’s Band. Tho rink will be open to-day from 10 a.m. to . noon, 2.301 to S p.m., 5.30 to T p.m. (for learners) and 7.30 to 10 p.m.