AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18583, 9 December 1920, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT. The final concert of the Chrintchuroh Orchestral Society’s 1920 season was given in the Choral Hall last evening bofore a very largo and appreciative audience. The programme submitted, though it contained no numbers new to the society or the public, was full of interest from a musical point of view, but in its performance the society was not quite as happy as it has been on some previous occasions. Beethovcn’a " Egnxmt ” Overture made somowhat heavy demands lipon the technique of the performers, as did also Oe»Rr Franok’s symphony in D minor and the prelude to the third act of " Lohengrin." Apart from a few minor weaknesses, however, th* interpretation of these numbers was quite good, and evoked a full measure of applause from tha audience. In Louis Ganne's * Byzantine ” suit.o and Eric Coates’s intermezzo, “ Miniature Suite,” the performers wero more at homo, and gave very pleasing renderings of the varied numbers. A feature of tho "Byzantiue” suito was the harp playing cf Mr II G. Glaysher, who showed himself to be a harpist of no moan order. In conjunction with tho orchestra, Mr Howard Moody played Weber’s pianoforte concerto. The soloist aequitted himself creditably, giving evidence of n sound training in the prim ciples of pianoforte technique and interpretation. The vocalist for tho evening was Mr J. H. Corks, who was in good form, and was heard to advantage in Carl Bohin’n "Thine Only” and Goring Thomas’s ”A Memory, contributing as encores Cadman’s Land of the Sky Blue Water ” and Sydney Homer s “Requiem.” Mr Alfred Buna conductod, and the nccompimimonts wore played by Mrs J. H. Cocks.

“DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE” If aver thero was a motion picture destined to earn a mebo in the film nail of famo it is the film version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of dual idontity ”Dr Jokyll and Mr Hyde,” the Parcmount-Artcraft Royalty Masterpiece, to bo presented at Everybody's Theatre next Monday, John Barrymore, considered to be tho world’s groatest tragedian, has been entrusted with tbo interpretation of tha momorabla character, and gives the screen an impersonation that must bo placed on a higher plane than any the screen has yet known. The box plan for the whole season is now opon at Tho Bristol.

GRAND THEATRE The season of ,r strgrus," tha mystifler, is drawing to o close at the Grand Theatre. The boy wonder will make his final appearance eu 'Friday night. Yesterday’s attendances were as the previous ones and filled the big theatre in every part. The mud'evillo portion of the programme comprised items by ♦he popular Campbell Brothers and Alsace, and Miss Olive Thorpe, a popular local vocalist, contributed a pleasing selection of songs. ‘‘Argus” described' articles and answered written questions without hesitation. Some of these concerned business matters, and the replies nstoundod the questioners. Tho Grand Orchestra of eeven players, under the direction of Mr Kennedy Black, assisted in the musical items of the vaudeville company, and also rendered tuneful end appropriate music during the picture portion of the programme, Owen Moore is tho star in a clever oomedy drama, 11 The Desperate Hero." Another sensational and exciting episode of. “ The Great Gamble ” is also being shown. Patrons may reserve their scats either at The Bristol pr tho Grand Theatre (telephone 2034).

LIBERTY THEATRE. The excellent list oi attractions at the Liberty Theatre again drew capacity attendances yesterday. The film section of . tha bill ,iB headed by ."Tho Great Coup," featuring Stewart Rome and Poppy Wyndham (the Hon Mrs Dennis), with Gregory Scott and Cameron Carr in prominent support. The picture was made by the Broadwest Film Co., and is a masterful pieturaation of the famous racing story, ” Tho Great Coup," by Nat Gould. The chief support is Lorry Semon’s remarkably funny film, “ The Fly Cop,” a picture roplote with pretty girls, a clever plot, thrills, hair-raising stunts and hearty laughs. The dance recital by Mias Lynne Edwards and her pupils is an attractive and faeoinating spectacular display that givos the utmost pleasure to patrons. The dancing by Miss Edwards herself and by Thelma Jones, Doris Brammnll, Betty Jncomb, Dorothy Walshe, _ Dorothy Manhire, Jean Irvine and twelve little tots in a "Fairy Ballet” ia most pleasing, os is olso Miss Wagner’s aong, “ Dainty Dorothea.”

CRYSTAL PALACE. “ Whitewashed Walls,” featuring William Desmond, and “ Wanted « Husband,” with the popular Billie Biuko in the lead, are proving two very popular films at tho Crystal Palace Theatro, and their soreoning was witnessed by excellent attendances yesterday. “ White, washed Walls ” is a satire on tho system of government by Bullets. In “ Wanted a Husband,” Billie Burke Is seen aa a girl who is slovenly and careless in her ways, but who, under the taunts of two eirl friends who have just become engaged, determines to rectify her faults._ The stqry abounds with tho moat amusing situatiema, «nd the fun i# maintained right through. Two screenings of these pictures aTe being given daily, at 2.15 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. For pure excitement and thrill*’ no film screened in Christchurch com be said to exoel “ Terror Island,” with the wonderful Houdini in the chief role. The underwator Beenes are decidedly sensational. The supporting programme inoludes tho Paramount oomedy, “ Why Smith Left Home,” starring Bryant Washburn. The pioture is packed with fun, the genis.l Bryant Washburn proving splendid no the much-abused lioneymoonor who is prevented by all sorts of humorous developments from getting his first bridal kiss. Lois Wilson is Winter Hall has an excellent part in this picture. The programme will be repeated to-day.

OPERA HOUSE. n Six Little Wives,” by Fuller’s new revue company, delighted another capacity attendance at the Oners, House last night. In the vaudeville section of the programme Nat Hanley created a good impression with his song, “ See the Sea," which ho followed up with various humorous piano selections and songs. Kenneth Maclaine, " The Digger’s Pal,’’ again met with success with his flno voice coupled with an equally fine stage appearance., .Helen Charles (whistling solos and child impersonations) and Leonard Nelson (descriptive vocalist and reciter) repeated their previous successes. The programmo will be given again to-night.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. The ourrent week’s programme at the Queen’s Theatre was again screened yesterday before largo attendances. “Molly of tho Follies,” featuring Margarita Fisher, is the chief film. Tho supporting pictures arc the Quoen’s Pictorial Budget, Gaumont Graphic, ’• House Cleaning Horrors ” (Pathe comedy), Episode 8 of tho serial story “Mystcr ~f of 13,” and " Innocent," with the renowned screen artist, Fannie Ward, in the leading role. Theae films and entertaining supports will b® screened again to-day.

STRAND THEATRE. “The Last of tlio Duanes” (featuring William Farnum), a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, and "Her Mightv Wink” (a Sunshine comedy) are tho principal pictures at the "trawl Theatre. Tho programmo will be soreenod again at noon to-day.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. “Whitewashed Walls,” featuring William Desmond, will be screened at tho Sydenham Pictures to-night. Also on tho programme is “The Climbers,” with Corinne Griffiths in the lead. Good supports trill also bo shown.

SUNDAY CONCERT. /' On Sunday evening in the Liberty Theatre the Christchurch Professional Orchestra will gve another of to Sunday concerts. A fine programme has bo en prepared. The concert will commence at 8.15 p.rr;. ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY. The Royal Musical Society's final concoxt of the season will take place on Tuesday and Thursday of next wools, when Handel’s immortal oratorio, "The Messiah,” will b* performed by a chorus and orchestra numbering over 200 performers. The society has secured Mr Sidney Butler, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.O. for the tenor s-los. Ho will make his first appearance in Christchurch. Mrs Percy Rule, of Timaru, and Mre R. P. Hall (who will be remembered as Madame Paddon) will interpret the soprano and contralto roles respectively. " The Trumpet Shall Sound" will be sung by Dr J. O. Pairman (with trumpet obligato by Mr H. Pox). The box plana will be opened -at 1 p.m. to-day at BeggV '