AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18414, 21 May 1920, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

" LIGHTNIN’.” At the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening next the much-talkcd-of play “Lightnin’ " will bo presented by a new and very capable company under the management of J. C. Williamson’s. Tho piny in amusingly set with the State line of Nevada and California running through tho offico of tho hotel owned by “Lightnin’” Bill’s wife. Out of tins seemingly mi important fact tv living comes to the Jones family. They cannot get summer boarders, but they can and do have women in droves staying on the Nevada side of the house, putting in the necessary six months beforo they can appear at the famous town of Reno, seeking divorces. Naturally the most amusing complications ensue, in tho unravelling of which ‘‘Lightnin’ ’’ Bill Jones has a more than ordinary '■ share. Coining to Melbourne from New York practically unheard of. the play was first presented at tho The- | alre Royal in that city and immeI diately became popular. After a few weeks | ot pre-sentatio.D it became the vogue, and at tho time, of its compulsory withdrawal after 130 consecutive representations, it hfid ' become the rugo. Something of the same i phenomenal success awaited the play in Sydney, where it had an unbroken run ot eighteen weeks, again being compulsorily withdrawn to make way for other important waiting attractions. In a groat measure its fortune is due, it -is said, to tho norformanco j of Mr John O’Hara as “Lightnin’" Bill : Jones. Mr O'Hara is credited with giving : a piece of perfect character acting. The !J. C. Williamson directors have gov ! together an exceptionally good company to interpret the play. From first- [ class New York theatres aro Messrs I Robert 'Toms, John Beck. Fred. Esmelton, 1 Arthur Cornell and Misses Diana Wilson and Victory Bateman. Others who are well and favourably known aro Misses Lizette Parlies, Marion Marcus Clarke and Messrs lan Macliiren, Thomas Lloyd, Fred. Cambourne, H. 11. Wallace, Edwin Lester and David Drayton Tho box plans for tho season will bo open at The Bristol on Monday morning. NORMA TALMADGE IN ‘‘POPPY.’’ The change of programme at tho Liberty Theatre to-morrow will include as the leading attraction a photoplay version of Cynthin Stocklcy’s popular novel, “ Poppy,” with Norma Talmadgo in tho stellar role. In the beginning of the story Poppy is seen ns a hopeless little waif of fourteen, bullied and neglected in turn until life is almost unbearable, and she runs away. From tills point she progresses through a varioty ol experiences until she reaches the culmination of her lifo as a successful author, nnd is courted by two men for her beauty ana clmrm. A situation new to the drama is established by tho fact that one of these men marries Poppy when she is hardly more than a child, pretending to adopt her and having tho ceremony performed in French. For years tne husband keeps the secret, divulging it only when the young woman falls in love with another. The working out of this complication is a clever piece of plot construction. Supporting Miss T»l----madgo is . a capable cast which j„cludos Eugene O’Brien, Frederick Perry, Jack Meredith and Dorothy Rogors. A varroty of unique and beautiful settings add to the attractiveness of tho picture. Aa usual there will bo an excellent supporting programme, including the latest Pathe Gazotte and lopicil Budget also another oi the charming Chester scenics, entitled “A Setting of he A„ ca ” Mr Arthur Macdonald, ft popular Christchurch baritone, will bo heard in a budget o” now songs. The Liberty Orchestra will play a -programme of specially selected music. OPERA HOUSE. , . There is a well-varied ana entertaining P™" gramme at tho Opera House this week. Iho principal artists aro the Cevme r °^ e > N f Sisters Paul and Connors, Fullore Nine Wonders Tilton and West, Maggie Buckley 1,313, London. .Tho Cvin. ronton sists of six clever wire-walkers, who permrm daring tricks on tho tipht-ropo, including skipping and dancing. The orchestral items are, as usual, very onioyable. The programme will bo presented again this evening, find tomorrow thcro will be the usual afternoon performance at 2.30, besides the evening per,o(”“?ond.,B - evoninf, Ih. Sunshine Players will commence another season under tho direction of that brilliant producer, Mr Walter George. The opening production will bo “The Bandits. The box plan io at Milner and Thompson e. CRYSTAL PALACE. The programme presented at the Cryptn.l Palaeo this week ia headed t>y ft Pru-nniount feature entitled “ Partners Three 1 which displays to advantage tho dramatic capabilities of Enid Bennett. The --.r-nnil si" r film “ A Bit of Jade.” hj” ns i its star the captivating little actress. Mary Miles Mintor. Mr J. C. Thompson, a woU-K--i>wn local hnnt-ne. is contributing Bovcral songs in good style. LIBERTY THEATRE. “Tbo Hoodlum," featuring Mary Pickford, i« drawing large attendances at the Liberty Theatre. " It will be shown for tho last time to-night. Another film that commands attention shows tho civic reception to the Prince of Wales in Latimer Square ana the review in Hngloy Park Tho supporting films arc all attractive. Seats can be booked at Tho Bristol till 5 p.m. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “ The Dance of Death." a picture that deals with tho lifo of professional dancors and tho effects of jealousy, is one of the princxoal films at the Queen’s Theatre. Another good picture ia “Go West Young Man. Alice Brady is the star in tlie first mentioned film and Tom Moore in the second The programme will bo screened from 11 . •*

to-day. _____ « CHARLIE ” ARRIVES. The arrival of •‘Charlie" in the city yesterday created considerable interest. Jdl9 iourrey through the principal streets was watched by largo crowds, and his numerous antics created a good deal of amusement. Manv of the leading establishments were n „ well as sonio of the schools, and the Association football match, H.M.B. Rev r.own v Rangers. To-day ho will visit the principal schools, as per advertisement elsewhere ill this issue, and appear in the main thoroughfares of the city. To-morrow lie will attend the Rugby football matches at Lancaster Tark, and at noon will drop a message in Cathedral Square from an aeroplane. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. “You’re Fired,” starring Wallace Reid, and “ Vicky Van," starring Ethel Clayton, the two leading films at Everybody s Theatre, were screened to go-id attendances yrotorday. They will bo shown again to-day. ‘True Heart Susie,’' a Griffith picture, wall head rcx t week’s programme. STRAND THEATRE. William Hart, in “Waggon Tracks," will bo seen at the Strand Theatre today, tliy fjl, n receiving its final screening. . Supporting subjects include “Making Money at the Mint,” and “ Skinny Sick.”

SYDENHAM PICTURES. Mary Pickford in " The Hoodlum is the leading item in the programme at the bydenham Pictures.