AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17587, 18 September 1917, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "JT IS FOR ENGLAND.” Apart from its story, which in *p»t» of Hs use of theatricalisms now and then, drives homo the message that everyone is callod by <lnty to enter the nation’s service., the iNavy league's patriotic picture. “It I®, ‘ or land,” will bo remembered for the use it makes of the Navy. The scenes in vliicn Britain’s might on the seas io shown with ‘ho great battleships, their attendant destroyers, the graceful cruieers and the mysterious lurking submarines at work under the White Ensign, are enough to m a .ke the pioturo memorable, and it is impossible to watch, without stirring enthusiasm and deep admiration, the spectacle of the manhood ot tho Empire answering to the call- The operations of the submarine hunters enter largely into tho picturo, and here again one gets a glimpse of some of tho work that proceeds in the silences that have marked the Navy since the war began. The story translates into a modern setting, with variations to emphasise the film'o message, the victory of St George over tho Dragon. One sees the operations of spic 3in England under tho cloak of naturalisation, and hero and there tho indiSerence of the people who are not in khaki, St George enters in the guise of an Army chaplain with the war-cry, “It is for'England,” to stir the nation to a realisation of its dangers. A love story runs through tho picture, adding a touch of romance .to its many thrills, and though it is impossible) to avoid the observation that the work of tho German spies is mads rather clumsy, fend that the melodrama is too often apparent, the picture undoubtedly drives homo its message and thoroughly deserved both the largo attendance and the enthusiastic reception that greeted its first public showing in Christchurch last night at the Theatre Royal. All the profits of the season will go to the Navy League, under whose auspices the film was made. It is * c,r England ” will he shown again this afternoon Rnd this evening. ■

Hl3 MAJESTY’S THEATRE. An excellent vaudeville programme was staged at His •Majesty’s Theatre last night in the weekly change of the Fuller CompanyFrom the opening selection of a very capable orchestra, every turn went successfully and was received with applause by a very largo audience. Clemo, a clever hoop rolling and juggling artist, also contributed several xylophone solo 3, which were very acceptable, while Billy and Doris, a dancing couple, gave an extremely clever performance varied by a conversational accompaniment and somo very catchy songs. Madame Lorenz, a trapeze artist of note, gave a remarkably clover performance, and Baron, a ventriloquist, was nlro very entertaining. Laurant gave another exhibition of oaligraphy, writing on. a blackboard in wonderful style and using either hand, or both simultaneously. As a variant to this performance, he gave l somo remarkably clever card tricks, shelving g-reit “ cleanness ” in his palming. Tho principal item on the programme was the first appearance of Warren _ Hastings, a young Irish lyric tenor possessing a voice ot great clarity and tendernrsc. He sang ■ Turn Back the Universe,” and, for an encore, "Where the River Shannon Flows. Ho had to respond to an insistent encore, and sang" “Two lives of Grey” very' sweetly. One of the cleverest performances was given by Clivalli and his trained dog Sport. The animal, a very intelligent sheep dog-, walked on its hind legs and did standing jumps over a series of hurdles. Clivalli balanced his dog on his hood on chairs and in all kiuds of positions, and the dog performed various tricks, showing almost human intelligence. A small French poodle, beautifully white, with ft big red ribbon, also joined in tho tricks. Clark and Wallace were heard in humorous patter snd danced very c.everly. The programme wna concluded! with a fine spectacular turn by Harokl Loci:wcod, who proved himself a master in the manipulation of tho lasso, with which he executed some astonishing feats, using a small boy as his subject. Ho also wielded a stockwhip very cieverlv, flicking out a match, cutting a roll of paper in two, and finally clipping tne neck off a glass bottle with one crack of the .lash. The programmo will be repeated to-night. HAYDN BECK RECITAL. At his recital, to be given in the Art Gallery to-night. Haydn Beck, who has recently returned from Belgium, will play the Kreutser Sonata, and groups of Krcielev solos, including three Paganim caprices and " Rocit. and Scherzo Caprice for vionn alone. Madame Gower Bums will sing thr"c solos from the opera "The Jewels of the Madonna,” recontlv introduced here at the private recitals of Mr Sidney Francis Hobau. The box plan is ot The Bristol.