AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17861, 6 August 1918, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. There was a w&Wiltiu uuuidanca at the Opera Houos last night to uenx,Aio Waiter. Ucorgea b'unahino. ifiayara ui tho hrst ox a genet) 01 inusiciu uiayiu.d 10 6a preaoaied at Uto popular vaudeville Uieaue during tho dbzi KiW weeks, 'i'iio play let, revue, ox wliatJ»er oeo may choose «o uui to, was indeed a [ay oi stmsauie, proausint; many lirighi hours in too season. jwogrosaea. The company is lar ahead oi any tiling oi. the. kind ever aeon at tile opjra iiuwso. iiw oomojjuatiou is a smart) sec indeed, each and nil of Uio artists being well wormy oi tmat appellation, i'atrona vera entertained wi *a a weaito, oi pextoutiyworkiag vocousitaoii, in serious and humorous nuiubors, imely varied concerted works, and oatcny and dainty songlets, wnh pretty Mid. etteotive bj-piay. famart intle jokes'and sayings 'And cover qonway alternated in c,uicii succession, building up interest all the time, rvareiy has on Upera House audienoe beBU»wtxi such appreciation by spontaneous outbursts of appiauae. The opening prouueuoa was an original playlet by Loa w imams, 'entitled "A Butch. .Legacy.'' it is east in a pretty hutch setting, in which one sees <luuuio windmills, ayK.es and boats, and the appear in. charming Dutch costumes, except a Vivacious uttie French widodf, who seeks advemuro and a for nine, and a soi tain visitor from London. There was workman snip in the singing of the hrsi chorus, "Dutch Boys and Girls,".to the smart accompaniment of sabot tapping, and' thereafter a! snap and brightness oi presentation thai was most pleasing. Waltor George, as Mynheer Stohueider (an innkooper) woo finely supported by Hollie Leslie, Frank Homing end Barry Hitohinga in several s*rioU3 and burleso.ua singing numbers,. and m good jovial Comedy. George Storey, in an eooenurio s comedian role, kept the audienca in a simmer of merriment with his grotesque lnaku- . up and smart burlesque, iiylda Shannon, as Marie the heireßs, delighted patrons with her accomplished; soprano singing, her performance of "Loveiy bpring ' being nierii torious and earning an insistent recall. .Mention must also be made of her singing oi " Tha Tulip," which, with the splendid chorus oharacter support, was one of the gema of the night. Georgio Martin made n very bright Gretchen, singing and dancing prettily. Among the concerted! contributions, "Hey-lack-aday-Me," "The Toast," and " Choosing a ' Husband" gave marked pleasure. Tbo Dutch Girls were excellent in their by-play. The solo dancing of Polly M'Laren was also a very delightful feature, the. work of this clever young don&euso ranking among the best seen ot tho Opera House. Ths accompaniments and incidental music ' were well played by Miss Ak'ersten's orchestra The vaudeville portion of the programme : included a spectacular exhibition of juggling : by Bryant and Bryant, in a perfect mazo of multi-coloured lights. The stage arrangements were elaborate and beautiful to view. The turn was exceptionally good and was ( accorded prolonged applause. Brull and ' Hemsley, also newcomers, presented several clever comedy characterisations, including a i Lancashire lad and lassie viewing a cup final ! in London and paying a visit to the moving I pictures. This also met with popular ap--1 proval. Tho programme was completed by ; new singing and dancing items by Bonny ; and Freeman, and an exhibition of serious and burlesque. piano work and a short melodramatic sketch by Phil Percival. The proyrommo will be repeated to-night.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. •'Lone Star," the main picture on the programme ot tho Queen's Theatre this weeK, well deserves the position of a head-liner on slmoflt any moving piotaro bill. 'J.he story is full of grip and vital interest, the charac* ten sat ions are splendidly portrayed, and v-.o settings of the various Boonce are. excellent. Tho, opening incident* occur on an Indian reservation, where Lone Star, on Indian, witnesses the death of his mother, despite all the urto of tho Indian medicine man. xne methods adopted in curing i the sick by the white man arouse in the Indian an ambition

to study medicine, and tbo agent, lecognisina in Lone Star one who possesses a distinctive ability, befriends him, and gives him a letter.of introdution to the head of a training school for medical studehts. Lone Star 60on achieves success, and after winning a scholarship graduates to New York, where he quickly rises to a. position of prominence in his profession. Here ho meets the daughter o: o millionaire, who has token up hospital work in order to assist in tho care of poor children. The girl is attracted by the manly nature of tho Indian doctor, and on his declaration of love they interview the father. This*' provides a most dramatic scene, in whioh the. father mthlossly expresses his opinion of .the Indian race, founded upon the experience of hia boyhood' days. Lone Star tells hia reason for leaving his tribe to learn the ways of civilisation, but his Appeal is in vain. The father, however, is ultimately compelled to call on Lone Star for assistance in a vital situation, after which the Indian - returns to his own people to give them the benefits of his modical knowledge. William Russell, as Lone Star, adds crcaily to his laurels by his powerful acting in this latest production. " The Lass" of the Lumberlanda" maintains its thrilling, oouree in " Tno Battle of Wits," the thirteenth chapter, and V The Suppressed Order" is a really telling drama. " Crocodiles and a Hat Box, ' the comedy item, provides many laughs to every foot "of film. The programme will be repeated to-day. ' ,«' A specially interestina: feature of this week s sessions at tho Queen's Theatre? will be a fine New Zealand industria' film by the John Swinson Company,, showing each stage in tho process of manufacturing "Peerless" flaur at the Brookfield Mills, Christchuroh. Thia striking pictura is of special" eauoational value, possessing many attractive features, and illustrating the use of " Peerless" flour for home baking. " LOOK WHO'S HERE." Mr Jack Waller's "Look Who's Here" Company will commence a season of farewell at the Theatro Boval on Saturday next. In •addition to the " Purple Band," which is an orchestra of high musical standard, the company contains a number of instrumentalist* who are, individually and collectively, musicians in the best sense of the word. The

entertainment is humorous in tone, with sconery and settings artistically designed, the effect being that a series of musical, artistio and humorous Lmpressiona are thrown upon tho'.audionce in rapid succession. . The musical " backbone of the company are Gregory Ivanoff, who held the position of solo violinist and leader of the Czar's Imperial OrH cliostra; Wylio Watson, 'collo; and Fred W. Dennett, pianist, from the Coneervßtorium of Music, London. No fewer than twenty-five artists will appear in the production. Item follows item in startling rapidity, one mointnt the audience being convulsed with laughter, and the next boing oharrued with delightful music. Included in the performance will be a series of sketches visualising! the ctoiactcr3 made famous hy the war artist, Captain Boirnsfafher, in his drawings dopicting incidents of trench humour. The bojtplana for the first three nights will open at The Bristol to-morrow morning.

; ■'. . . CRYSTAL PALACE. . Prom the opening of the Crystal Palace Picture Theatre the management eet a high standard of excellence in all the films screened, nothing but the very best finding a place On. the diversified. programmes submitted to full house*. It is no easy matter to maintain the ambitious standard originally announced, but it oan be said of this theatre that the promises made prior to the opening have been rnoro than realised. The programme which was screened for the first time yesterday is headed by a very fine film entitled '"The Pride of New York," a .stirring patriotio drama. The leading role is ttken by that acoomnlished artist, George Walsh, and he has associated with him a band of actors whoso efforts would assuredly seaure the success of any film in which they were' jointly associated. At the outset the story introduces patrons to the city of New York—to the fashionable idler and the deni.ien of the workers' quarters. With the call -to battle a soion of the aristocracy becomes an officer, whilst the son of a worker becomes a private. Pictures of camip life are seen, where tho former shows his unfitness for the duties of an officer, and the latter joins the Flying Corps in France where he quickly distinguishes himself. Stirr.n? incidents on the West front are vividly depicted,, the battle scenes being thoroughly realistio in every respoct and it i» difficul I '. to think that the films were not taken amidst the actual scenes of the battlefield, fco true to life they arc. Into the story is interwoven the usual love romance, tho hero of the piece baing instrumental in rescuing a rich and

JUST "NOT FEELING WELL." But not rea'ly ill. These are the canes that Loasby successfully treats. When the appetite is fickle, head aches, the bowels irregular, troubled with flatulence, not sleepin? too well, no energy, o\erythinjj a worry, nervous and irritable. Come and "ASK LOASBY ABOUT IT." Hundred's of your .fellow citizens will tell you they go 'to Loasby with all their ininci ailments, and set cured. Not only themselves but all the family, "Ask Loasby about It" when not feeling too well. They do so every time they feel out-of-sorts. The; always come back with their new troubles, because Loasby always does them good They recommend their friends to " Ask Loasby about It." What is good enough foT thousands of common-flensj people should bo rood enough for vou. Don't delay oom» tight alons and " Ask Loasby about It."

accompiis-Wl AnMiricaa girl, vrho had gor.ft forth with tho Rod Cross io buoooui the wounded, from thu hands et a German prlnoe who had carried her off. As » whole, tho pichira ranks Irish amortff the hattle piotures which have been exhibited in Ohrißtohnrch. "The. BsF. Boy" features the ever popufor and mirfh-provokinp: Ropocw Arbnokla in ono oi his best plays. " The Bridge of Fanoy" is another vory attractive film, whilst tha "American Gazette" contains a numbor_ of pictures of topical interest. At the session the popular Wellington vocalist, Miss Frances Barry, mezao-soiirano, ssng " Soul of 'JWne " and " Koe.p ou Hopin' " in the presence of on audience whioh was thorougfhly appreciative. Tha same programmo will be repeated at tho various pensions to-day and throughout the week. LIBERTY THEATRE. Mabel Normand was formerly one of tho favourites of the comedy acrooii, and her acting in "Tho Floor Below," a lavi'ih' GoHwyn picture, which was shown for the first time at the Liberty Theatre yesterday, proves that she has lost none of hor histrionic powers since her first appearanco in the moving picture world. " l°ho Floor Below" introduces this accomplished artist in a role which entiroly suits her in overy way, and she takes full advantage of tho opportunities which it uflorda to display and reveal her emotional powers. The story is one of a newiiipiper girl, who lo»es her position through what might be tormed skylarking., but at length is givoYi a chance to redeem herself provided she should accompli&h an exceedingly difficult task which she is set by ' the autocrat of her journal. What that commteeion is need not bo toM hero. It is sufficient to say, however, that in her endeavour to carry to a successful conclusion the heavy and well-nigh impossible task set her she is led into many difficult situations, from which she ia able to extricate h«r9»!f ■ with consummate skill, provin? her onvprnripp, daring and resource, and clearly demonstrating her qualifications for the work in wh;'ch she is engaged. The programme alao ino".udes nn entertaining' and diverting " Triangle" production er.ti'le<3 ' Love and Fish," and the always' wolcoma .'Gaumont Graphic." At yesterday's ssMions there were excellent attendances, and at the evening session special mueic was prorided by tho Liborty orchestra, which has attained great popularity amongst picture patrons. Tho programme will be repeated at the various sessions to-day and throughout tho current week.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Spurs of Sybil," the title of tho principal item m the now programme shown at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, 13 somewhat enigmatical. By itself it might mean anything. A 3 a matter of fact, it means that o wealthy old aunt, after keeping young Sybil in idleness for years, sends her out into tho world to earn her living; in ehort, to win her spurs in the battlefield of 'life. She has a capital of £25, and with thia she goes to an expensive ho'.ol in New York. There she meets a handsome woman, well known to thj police as a "crook." Sybil brings suspicion on horeelf merely by «er association with the woman, and the detectives that shadow the " crcok " also ehadow her. Amongtt them is a young doctor, an amateur detective. Sybil la verv 1-enutiful, and the doctor falls in love with 'her. H*> finds it difficult to believe that a irirl &a innocent looking can bo a rogue' and vagabond. Ho holds this position in the face of strong circumstantial evidence. On one occasions hia pocket is pickod, apparently by Sybil. On nnother occasion he sees' her riding in n motorcar with a notorious young scamp. This young man proves to be the rephow of 'an oecentrio old lady who Keeps strange < pets, and who engages Sybil as " a ooinipftjiion. The turning point in the story is when Sybil is run down by a motor. Slit fcJ ttutem to a hospital. A card found on! her bears hor hotel associato'a address, and the hospital authorities inform the woman of the accidant. &V> takes Sybil to her mansion, but Sybil, on recovering, finds that she ia aimxily a prisoner In a gambling den, and that sue is to bo Bub.iected to lhe baneful attentions of the cc:er»tric old lady's villainous nephew. In a melee amonytt U;e gambler? she telephones to the doctor, who puts the police on tho '.rack. The don ,s raided, and Sybil_ is roacucd. The story ends with her marriage to tlio doctor, and hor aunt gives tham her blessing. "The Spurs of Sybil" was supported by another instalment oi " The Mystery of tho Double Cros3" and by a humorous film. In the evening the augmented orchestra'played selections. Tho programmo will bo repeated to-day and to-night.

MALINt THE MAGICIAN. On Saturday night, at the King's Theatre, Malini, the magician, will make his first appoaranco before a. Ohristchurch audienoe. Some of the. feats credited to Malini appear to ,be impossible. With playing oards he h«« no difficulty in bewildering his onlookavs, and the closer tho scrutiny tho more Malini appreciates it. Malini works without any asnistants, and an almost entire absence of paraphernalia, A Java paper writes of ono of Malini's performances:—"The great Hansen was present at tho performance, and daoided not to play after Malini—which is certainly the greatest compliment one performer tan pay another." It is stated that the ono great feature ot Malini's entertainment is the absence of cumbersome appliances, his sole "props" being his .wonderfully dexterous hands. As a card manipulator ho is claimed to be a master hand, ond ho entertains his audience for two hours, using mostly only cards, and sustaining the greatest interest throughout. His work is said to be full of surprises. The Sydney " Daily Telegraph ' says:—"As a showman, Malini, the Napoleon of Magio,' is refreshingly quaint; as a magician he is decidedly baffling. His tricks are original and his humour is pleasing. Malini, unliko the usual niystifior, has no assistants and no stage paraphernalia." Malini will bo aasisted by Miss Ettio Fioid (soprano) and Mrs A. M. Montague (pianist). Tho seaaon will be for seven nights and tho plan for the teason is now open at Tho Bristol.

STRAND THEATRE. Sessue Bayakawa has a nicho that is all his own in the world of screen, and any film in which ho is featured is euro ol popular approval. " The .Seorot Gams," the latest photo-play in which he appears, and which is now fhowing at the Strand Theatre, is no exception to the rule, and good attsndancss are recorded at all sessions yesterday. The play is a romance of tho Secret .Service, and abounds in thrilling incident and tense dramatic situations, in which Seseue Hayakawa plays a notablo part. The big) film and •an excellent supporting programme, inoluding a Burfcon-Holmes travologuc, com-, edy and topical items, will bo repeated at all sessions to-dav.

FESTIVAL OF NEW ZEALAND MUSIC. To-night, in the Choral Hall, the first programme of the Festival of New Zealand Muejo will be given. The performance is of a varied character, and introduces, itomes from choral works with orchestral accompaniment to Bongs.. The soloists include Mosdames Gower-Burns, John Fraeor (Oamaru), Bishlager and E. W. Pidgeon, Miss Millicent Jennings;, and Messrs Allan Shrimpton and Hugh Hobbs. The conductors will be Messrs Alfred jaunz, Novillo Smith and A. J. Morton. A trio in F Minor for piano, violin and 'cello, composed by Mr Frank Hutchens (Sydney), will ba played by Misses Lillian Harper, Mary Ward and Mrs John Guthrie. The festival commences ut eight o'clock sharp, end the hall will bo specially heated. The box plan is at The Brißtrl MUSICAL SOCIETY'S PATRIOTIC CONCERT. "A Tale of Old Japan" and "The Daisy Chain," which ware given so successfully recently, wili bo repeated at the Choral Hall on Saturday next, for ,tho benefit -ii the soldiers in the trenches at Christmas lime. The principal artists aro Madam Gow.sr Burns (soprano), Miss Marian Woodhouse (contralto), Messrs Bowr-on and Potty (tenor), Mr Hex Harrison (baritone). ■ Mrs F. P. 0. fmith and Miss Macleous-mitli will play the pianoforte .accompaniments. The chorus artd orchestra number 130 pcrfcrmora. The box plan is at Messrs Mitner and Thompson's. COLOSSEUM RINK. Roller sbo-tin™ continues to be a very popu* lar form of winter recreation and thoro were good attendances at the Ookmsoum Rink at nil sessions yesterday. The rink will be onen during the usual houia to-day, and at th« evening session music will bo provided by Mr C. Dunn's brass band. Entries are now baing taken for tho masquerade, fancy dress and poster carnival on August 14 and 15.