AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17860, 5 August 1918, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Commencing this evening the Opera Houso programme will be devoted to a large extent to a musical comedy entertainment instead of the all vaudeville bill that has been the attraction for some weeks. The new arrivals are the Walter George Sunshine Players, and their initial production, "A Dutch Legacy," is, it is stated, probably the best play in the company's repertoire. Ine pieco is bright and tuneful and whilst not pimocativu 01 hnarJous laughter keeps the house in a simmer of merriment. Mr George, the principal comeaian. comes with a good reputation as a graduate in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, having played leading roles at the London Savoy, and he is also an excellent vocalist. The chief fun-makers associated with him are George Storey, Hilton Owen, Dulcie' Miluer and Georgie Martm, and the vocalists comprise Frank Haimriß(tenor), Larry Hitchings (baritone), Holly Leslie (basso), Hlvda Shannon (soprano), and May Geary (contralto). The company also ijvi'udes 11 band oi show gins and ballerinas, headed by the talented voung solo dancer Polly M'Larcn. The plot in "A Dutch Legacy" is merely an excuse to hang together a number of .humorous situations, ca ciiy vocU items, ard attractive bailets The stago is set to represent the exterior of an inn in Holland, and the principal players represent Dutch characters. In the vaudeville section of the bill Bryant and Bryant will make their first appearance in a dancing and juggling act. in which some hundreds of electrical globes, of different, colours, are used in the sotting. This act is said to be one of the most brilliant ever staged at the Opera House. Brull and He'.msley will make their reappearance after an absence of about eighteen months, and will present a series of comedy sketches. New items will bo given also bv Phil Percival the "Drunk at _ the Piano," and Bonny and Freeman, American vocalists' and dancers. The pox plan is at, Messrs Milncr and Thompson's.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A five-reel World drama, "The Spurs of Svbil," featuring the papular player Alice Brady, will bo the principal item on the new programme at Everybody's Theatre to-day, the first session commencing at noon, the story of the picture is said to hold the interest from start to finish. A young girl is the poor relation of a rich aunt, who has been keeping her in idleness, but who at last decides that her niece, for her own good, must do something in the way of earning.her own living; in fact; must "win her spurs. Willi a hundred dollars as capital, sho goes to New York and puts up at an oxplansivc hotel. A woman who had previously met her oil board a boat claims her acquaintance. As this woman is a well-known crook, suspicion is immediately directed against the girl. A series of incidents deepen this suspicion, especially in the mind of a young doctor who is greatly struck by the beauty of the girl, and who at first finds,it difficult to bolieve that so innocent a face can mask a criminal. Notwithstanding his suspicions, his love for her grows, but it is not till they have each passed through many unhappy momerits that the light begins to shine for them both. It is said to be a fine s'.ory, finely told and the dresses are a feature, some itod'eed being of eurprisingly modern cut. In addition to a topical film, the programme will include ano'her instalment of tho thrilling serial, "The Mystery of tho Double Cross," in which further exciting incidents occur tc the young man in search of a girl with [the mystic mark on her arm. At the ovenin? sessions, as usual, the augmented orchestra will play appropriate selections. •

CRYSTAL PALACE. " The Pride of Now York," the principal picture in the now programme 'to bo introduced at Crystal Palace to-ciay, is described as a quick-moving patriotic play. The chiel role will bo taken by George Walsh, whose bright personality and daring athletic feats have mado him popular on the screen.'' Tho story deals with the achievements of a young! New Yorker in the struggle against German militarism, and an, interesting incident in it shows, the Kaiser and his staff. * This-is probably tho first close view of Germany's War Lord seen, in a rajvirg picture in New Zealand sinco the war began. Supporting the principal picture will bo an Arbnckle farce c-ntitled " Tho Bell Boy," and a comedydrama "The Bridge of Fancy," in which tho leading part is taken by Little Mary M'Alister. A Gazette will complete tho picture portion of the programme. At the evening sessions Miss Frances Barry, a popular Wellington singer, will apnear. She will sing Soul of Mine" and "Keep on Hopin'." At 7.30 ench evening the Crystal Palace orchestra will, play the overture to Auber's '"Masaniello."

LIBERTY THEATRE. Mabel Normand, well known two years ago as the favourite comedienne of the Keystone, firm will be lieon as an emotional actress in the Goldwyn feature picture, "'lhe Floor Below," the principal film on the now nrogniuime at Liberty to-day. "The Fioor Below " is said to bo an interesting story, and its production and settings well worthy of tho Goldwyn Corporation. It is a story 'of a newspaper girl who is discharged for skylarking, but is given another chance provided she can achieve a difficult commission for her paper, This commission leads her into many thrilling situations, and love plays an important part in tho unfolding of tho plot. The picture is said to show Miss Nor-, niand as an accomplished emotional actress with an appealing personality which should bespeak even more lame and fortune in the future for the formor favourite of the screen world. The programme also includes a highly diverting 'triangle production entitled "Love and Fish," and tho latest edition of the ever wolcome " Gaumont Graphic.' The first session will commence at noon to-day.

.- STRAND THEATRE. Saturday's change of programme at the Strand Theatre was signalised by large attendances at all sessions. The current bill is a noteworthy one. comprising a powerful Urania in the principal nature " 'Pile aeoret Game," a highly diverting comedy, another of tho Burton Holmes travel scries, and topical gazettes. Sessuo Hayakawa achieves a. distinct success in " The Secret Game," the latest Paramount production, which deals with Japanese-American relations in an exceedingly striking manner, and depicts Ger- , tu j i maelnua ions,,-in luissia and the United States. Sessue Hayakawa is cast in the role of a Japanese secret service agent, and the unfolding of the story discloses the resource which he is called upon to show in a match of wits with a- German spy. Each incident in this duel of secret service men gives evidence of the friendship existing between tho two Allied Powers concerned. A charming love storv runs throughout the story, and the closing scene shows the removal of tho suspicion which an army officer has that his fiancee is a spy for an enemy Power. Most dramatic is the climax consequent upon the vow to his father, made by the Japanese agent before' leaving the land of the Mikado. In the matter of photography "The Secret Game" is really excellent. The Victor Moore comedy contains a full measure of excitement and laughter, and in the other items on tho bill there are some splendid Scottish views, especially those showing subsequent happenings to the arrival of a trawling catch in Aberdeen, and a oarade of laited men. The programme will be repeated to-day.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. , At the Queen's Theatre to-day, commencing at 11 a.m., n new programme will bo screened, headed by the Mutual-American pnoto-play, " Lone Star." Tho principal role in this interesting production is filled by William Russell, who takes the part of ati Indian chief, the hero of the story. The chief studies surgery and medicine, and while at an Eastern hospital falls ,in love wi'h a white girl. Her father draws the colour line with considerable harshness and emphasis, but later funis it necessary to appeal to tho despised Indian, in his capacity of surgeon, to save his daughter's life. The Indian responds to the appeal, and then returns stoically to his own people. The acting, particularly that of William Russell, is said to be of a very high order, demonstrating caretnl study of Indian character. In support will be shown tho thirteenth chapter of "A Lass of the Lumberlands," entitled " A Battle of Wits"; the throe-act photoplay, The Suppressed Order"; and a comedy entitled " Crocodiles and a Hat."

" LOOK WHO'S HERE." It is said that a feature of Mr Jack Waller's attraction, "Look Who's Here," is the swing with which it proceeds, for beyond one interval of five minutes there is no break in the programme. Comedy follows song, | and dance follows comedy without any waiting time, and while tho scenes are being changed tho Purple Band supplies snatches of music, ranging from grand opera to raglime. It is saiu to be an example of masterly production, for in tho details as well as ;n the whole effect, the entertainment is equally pleasing. The entertainment is strong) on the musical side, with Gregory Ivanolt, an accomplished violinist; Fred Dennett, than whom it would be difficult to imagine a better pianist tor this class of entertain.* ment; and Wylio Watson, who can play the 'cello artistically as well as juggle with it in the burlesque scenes. In all die company comprises twenty-five members, not ono of whom is a drone, and each of whom is responsible for his or her shave c£ tho programme. " Look Who's Here " will bo presented at tho Theatre -Royal for a season. of farewell commencing on Saturday next. During tho visit of the company two programmes will bo submitted, 'the box plan for the first three nights is at Iho Bristol. MALINI, THE MAGICIAN. At the King's Theatre on Saturday evening next, Malini tho Magician will make his first appearance in Chrisvchurch, The season in this city is limited to seven nights. It is said that Malini is original in his work; he uses no paraphernalia, has no confederates or assistants, but. relies solely on his dexteriiy to baffle his audience, and that he succeeds if borne out by the Press notices which he has iuceiv.ed in all parts of the globe. Duriu£ his

tour in the Far East, Malini appeared Wor«': : the King of Siam and also beforo tho first';"President of China. In England he gav» performances before the late King Edward TIL, and he has also entertained tho President of. Franco and tho President of America. \ Ho has a good fund of anecdote, and the humor, ous stories ho tells in'quaini style., are appropriate to tho trie* he is performing! Tho box plan for the Christchurch season will be opened at The Bristol to-morrow.

FESTIVAL OF NEW ZEALAND MUSIC.

To-morrow night, in the Choral Hall, tha first programme of the Festival of New Zealand Music will be given. A chorus of 150 voices, which has been carefully trained, will sing some beautiful choral works, tho foremost being a reciprocal work sent out by Sir Frederick Bridge, organist at Westminster Abbey. The Christchurch Orchestral Society, under the conductorship of Mi AL fred Buna, will accompany several -of the choral works, and will also play a number of orchestral works. The surplus nroceeds of. lhe festival will be devoted to the Tramwav Copper Trail for trench comforts. The box plan i 3 at Tho Bristol. COLOSSEUM RINK. There were good attendances at tie Colosseum Rink on Saturday, when all sessions were well patronised. The rink will be open during the usual hours to-day, and at tho session Mr C. Dunn's band will provide attractive music • Entries are nowi being taken for iho masquerade, fancy dress and poster carnival, to be held on August 14 and 15. SYDENHAM PICTURES. ' At the Sydenham Picture Theatre this evening the programme will be headed by " The Floor Below," featuring Mabel Normand. ■.