AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18304, 14 January 1920, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. There was another good attendance at tho Theatre .Royal last evening, when "The Silent Witness " was repeated. The piece was keenly enjoyed by the audience, and 1 tho fine acting of Miss Muriel Starr, Mr Frank Haryey Mr J. B. Atholwood and tbo other member's "of tho company was well applauded. " Tho Silent Witness " will be repeated this evonin", when his Excellency the Governo:--Gereral and party from Government Houaa will be present. OPERA HOUSE. The up-to-date programme presented at tho Opera House attracted another full house last ni'dit. Foremost among the new artists Is weekVe the, Corclli Brothers, a talented trio who showed a complete mastery of viol n and harp in a f.onos of classical and modern music. Two other artists who never fall to Please vaudeville patrons, Maud CourtrT«v and Mr C, presented a smart musical turn with somo monologue- specialties by Mr 6. Fra.nk, Lank end Alico, droll comedy ruLlors gave an unusual display of rapid clover young trapeze artist, gave a rdcasmg variety to her balancing feats; and J>«. Syl■varieiA 10 » skater. and Chavlebat Bros Tnd tbo clever lightning speed helped to make up a programme of unusual merit.

„. c. OPERA the domain of » lo I e '»i tuer e is no of differences among i doubt as to the place it »§■£.£ t^/pro . this c\ty.Though based on G<», 6tho l^? t * number Jf" gems" than Gounod s chief composition. The entire company will appea. during the Christchurch season, and will be compfete in every detail, with an augmentod grand opera orchestra and chonis of fifty. Associated with the organisation is Miss Amy Castles, who has won a notable plaice for herself on the operatic and concert stage abroad. In "Faust" she will appear as Marguerite. There will be two other notable artists in tho cast, who will make their first appearance hcre-Ralph Errolle, from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, wht> will enact the role of Faust, and Alfredo Valonti, a well-known basso from America, who vyTU bo Mephistopholes. Caxl Formes, another nowcomer from the world's leading operatic centreß, will play the part of Valentino. Othei-3 who will appear include Tom Minogue (baritone), Thelma Cartor (contralto) ana Vera Bedford (contralto). Next Saturday evening will witness the first presentation in Christchurch of Offenbach's beautiful opera, " Tales of Hoffman," which is one of the biggest successes in the repertoire of the Williamson Grand Opera Company. Puccini'B melodious opera, "La Boheme," with Amy Castles as Mimi, will be played on Monday next, Tho dramatio Btory of Clip Clio San's unfortunate love affair, " Madame Butterfly," will be sung on Tuesday night. Thosa two gems of opera, " I Pagliacci" and " Cavalloria Rusticana," will bo staged on Wednesday. The second performance of " Faust," with tho same cast as the opening performance, will bo given on. Thursday. The beautiful musio of Verdi will be heard once more when "II Trovatoro" is played on Friday. Tho first and only nuatinoo ot tho season will be given on Saturday week, when Amy Castles will appear in " Madame Butterfly. Tho box plans for the entire season aro now open at Milner and Thompson's.

"DAMAGED GOODS." So great is the demand from either se* to seo the sooiologioa! picturo " Damaged Goods," that tho Liberty Theatre was crowded again, at both tho matineo and evening l sessions yesterday. Tho setting of the play is excellent, and tho acting of tho principals of an unusually high standard. To-day there aro to be matinees for both sexes, and thd evening session will bo for man. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Ttfarie, Limited," featuring- Alios Brady, which is being screened at the Queen's Theatre this week beiore largo attendances, is a story with a special feminine appeal. Tho secoud feature is Goldwyn'a masterpiece, " Thais," otorring the grand opera prima donna, Mary Garden. Tho scene is laid ir« Alexandria, about 400 A.D There is a varied supporting programme.

GRAND THEATRE. _ There were Jargo attendances at all ees> sions of tho Grand Theatre yesterday, when "Tho Lion and the Mouse," Charles Klein's great stago success, was repeated. Tho popular series of the '' Adventures of Stingoreo" was .again oontinued, and the humorous element was well supplied in, the Christie comedy, " Married by Proxy," and Charles Chaplin's "Trysting Place ; while the Cooperative Weekly Gazetto was of a most interesting character. Tho box'plan is at The Bristol.

NEW SOUTH WALES STATE ORCHESTRA. Christchurch is at last assured of tho privilege of hearing the New South Wales Stato Orchestra. It will be remembered that there was some difficulty about securing a hall largo enough to accommodate this organisation and the groat audiences whichare anticipated, owing to the Colosseum being debarred. It is announced in an advertisement in this issue that the concerts will take place in tho King Edward Barracks. The officer commanding (Colonel Young) has kindly allowed the use of the Barracks, although it has only been possible to do this at considerable inconvenience. Tho concerts will bo held in that building on the datos originally arranged—January 29, 30 and 81, and February 2. Tho box plans will open on Wednesday, January 21, af The Bristol Piano Co., Ltd., and Milner and Thompson's. A telogram from Auckland states that there was a grand performance of " The Messiah " last night, in conjunction with the Choral Socioty and Royal Auckland Choir, a total of three hundred voices, conducted by Mr Vcrbrugphen and acoorapanied by tho orchestra and Mr Maughon Barnott oil tho organ. At four o'clock in the afternoon crowds assembled waiting for admittance, and at soven all seats not booked had been sold out. It is estimated that two thousand people were turned away. Oyer three thousand people were crammed into the Town Hall, where a memorable performance wis given. Auckland has risen like one man during tho past few days, and the orchestra has been deluged with requests to stay longer. Tho takings last night constitute a record for Australasia fox the State Orchos-

tra'» tours. Tho orchestra will leave for New Plymouth to-day. Mr Cyril Towsey, the well-known writes to the Preu3 as follows s— " Beiore the State Orchestra leaves Auckland I would lilte you to know what- a wonderful treat their playing has been. Wo consider that the concerts wo have had during tho past week L«Jve been a revelation to the Auckland public. Mr Verbrugghon is a wonder. A can Bay without fear of contradiction that his is tho most magnetio personality ol any conductor, perhaps with the single exception of Niknsoh, in the world to-day. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Tho popularity of Constance Talmadke was well demonstnated by the large audiences which attended yesterday's sessions of Evorybod/s Theatre, where she was seen in an interesting part ir. " A Lady's Name.' The second star attraction on tho programme is tho latest Paramount photo-play, " The Law of the North." It is a picturo of thrills and sensations, which presents tho accomplished Charles Ray in a decidedly new role. Special musio is rendered by Everybody's Seloct Orchestra, including the overture, ' 11 Trovatore," and, as an entr'acte, "Andantino" (Lemare) Reserved Beats may bo booked at Tho Bristol.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Yesterday's sessions at tha Crystal Palace Theatre were • well attended, when " One-Thing-aUi-Time O'Day," in which Bert Lyteli ia tho star, was repeated. Tho supporting programme includes a comedy entitled "' Tho Curse of a Name/' a Dominion! Travelog le, and a Topical Budget. The popular young concertina exponents, Colin and John Campbell, and the Crystal Palace Orchestra, under tho conductorship of Mr Robert T. Kirk, also contributed to the entertainment. STRAND THEATRE. "Bunkered," an original comedy by Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew, and "The Sheriff's Son," with Charles Ray and Seena Owen in tho leading roles, attracted good attendances nt the Strand Trootre yesterday. The supporting films include tho second episode of "Tho Silent Mystery," a pictograph, cartoon and gazette. WTRTHS' CIRCUS. One of tho most interesting events of tho season will bo the advent of Wirth Bros.' great circus and menagerie on Saturday, tho location being opposite, tho Railway Station. Tho whole of tho programme will be shown exactly as »'t was presented at Sydney. Many star attractions will be presented, including the Eddy Duo, on the silvw wire; tho Covin© Troupe of four ladies and two gentlemen, in a whirlwind wire-walking and dancing act, entitled Tho wire-walking and dancing act entitled "The acrobatio feats; the Zandil Sisters, in a butterfly ballet in mid-air, suspended by cords held in their teeth; the Flying Winskills, who leap through tho air pirouetting and somersaulting, from one swinging trapeze to another, whilo their Charlie Chaplin clown keeps the audience in paroxysms of laughter; Leo Montfort. circling the loop of death; Tex Bailey's living statuary animals, in an entirely new set of classical and topical poses, copied from tho beautiful alabaster statues of the world's famous galleries; La Belle Onra, who will execute graceful and daring feats on the high trapeze; Silly Danny, the clown, with his flock of performing geeso; and the mysterious Howards, " two minds but a single thought." The galaxy of stars will be supported by the full j circus company of trick riders, clowns, performing horses, ponies, elephants, lions, bears and puppies. The menagerie will be open from 4 to 5 p.m., when the wild animals will be fed. The box plan is at Tho Bristol. Matinees will be given each afternoon from Monday next.