THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 41, 25 March 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

MLLE. ANTONIA DOLORES. Each separate item that went to make up the programme of the recital given by Mile. Antonia Dolores in the Choral Hall last night was, in itself, a musical treat. Of the lighter numbers, the cantatrice was most happy in Arne's "The Lass with the Delicate Air," for which she was recalled, responding with Hook's "O Listen to the Voice of Love." Another favourite was "Echo, Tell Me," by the same composer. Tschaikowsky 's '' Adieux JForets" was sung with a passionate appeal, the tragic pathos of Jeanne fl'Arc's farewell to the forests being interpreted with that artistic feeling that is always evident in singers of the standard to which. Mile. Dolores belongs. On being recalled she sang "The Angelus" (a song of Brittany). '' Der Nussbaum,'' a tender little song by Schumann, evidently found its way to the hearts of the audience, who' did not hesitate to show their appreciation by recalling the singer, who, with her usual graciousness, added one more item to the programme. The encore, an Irish folk song by Footc, had all the quaint charm of this type of song, the refrain being especially haunting. In "Chanson de Musette" by Thouie, Mile. Dolores was more than at home, the joyous abandon of Youth being perfectly portrayed. As a grand finalej the storming of the hearts of the audience was completed with a charming and delicately humorous interpretation of "Comin' Through the Rye." During the evening three floral bouquets were presented to the singer. Miss Iris de Cairos-Rego carried out to perfection the function of that rare commodity, a genuinely sympathetic accompanist. She also contributed several soli to the programme, the first of which was Chopin's lade in A Flat." On being recalled, the pianist responded with a dainty little composition by Chopin. The other items, two intermezzos by Rex de _Cairos-Rego, a rhapsodie by Pohnanyi, and Rubinstein's "Romance" were warmly applauded by the audience. On Thursday, the 26th March, Mile. Dolores will give another song recital. "THE GRAFTERS." This evening Mr Win. Anderson's Musical Burlesque Company will commence its brief season at the Theatre Royal. Many qualifications are demanded of the musical comedy artists of to-day, and each one is expected to be not only a capable exponent of the dramatic art, but also to be an expert singer and dancer as well. The members of the company who have been appearing in "The Grafters" and "A .Day at the Races" and other musical , .plays in the chief centres of population .in the Commonwealth, are said to be ..'; fully up to this standard, and that their .; reception j n Christchureh will be just V as cordial as it has been elsewhere may be taken for granted. Some excellent . character studies are to be witnessed in the course of the performance. Foremost among these are Bert La Blanc, Dave Nowlin, Paul Stanhope, and Harry Burgess, who keeps the house in roars of laughter throughoutj whilst the

feminine parts are in the hands of Misses Elaine Ravensburg, Teddy Martin, Fritzie de Guy, and Anna Clarke. "The Grafters" will be staged for four nights only, and on Monday will give place to "A Day at the Races," for a similar period. The piece will be staged by Mr W.. E. Hughes, and an augmented orchestra under the baton of Mr Geo. Leopold will render the music. A particular feature of the season will be the Tango Tea matinees, the first of which will be given on Saturday, 28th, starting at 3.30 p.m. Th<! box plan for ''The Grafters" is now open at the Dresden.

OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House is a great centre of attraction to lovers of vaudeville this week, owing to the general excellence of the fare provided. A number of new artists, have appeared, notably Les Bau Malagas, who first present the original Argentine Tango and then several Russian dances, the turn concluding with the far-famed Apache dance, a star turn in itself. The second turn of exceptional brilliance is the exhibition of taut wire work by the Rosa Valerio Sextet, three men and three girls. This turn is the most elaborate of the sort that has been put on in Christchureh for some time. Mr Sydney Bach, a Welsh drawing room entertainer, is very amusing in his turn, which consists chiefly of trick piano playing. Miss Agnes Rawes is also a new arrival, and sings several songs in a pleasing soprano voice. Other favourites of previous weeks still on the bill are: —Little Mollie, the child artist; Margaret Camber, soprano; Charles Zoli, who this week combines a new Italian monologue with his favourite number, "The Spaniard who Blighted my Life"; Weston and Hill, comedy duo; and MiGeorge Rowley, American dancer; —all of whom continue to give complete satisfaction to the. audience. The programme will be repeated to-night.

HIS MAJESTY'S. The new programme now showing at His Majesty's Theatre, which made such a good initial opening on Monday evening, continues to attract much attention. Pride of place lies between "At Handgrips" and "The Ant an] the Grasshopper." The former film is a stirring drama with a gorgeous Italian scenic setting, and abounds in thrilling incident, while the latter is an amazing trick film, the actors being trained inserts. These uncanny specimens evidence all the habits and vices of human beings, and the film is one which should certainly be seen. "Tangiers" is a scenic film of excellent merit, depicting ancient and historic architecture, and the picturesque inhabitants of the ancient town of Tangiers. "Tommy's Stratagem" portrays a simple story of sentiment and pathos. "The Hermit Crab" is an excellent film as an educational study, and topical news is provided in an excellent number of the "Pathe Gazette." The comical section of the programme is catered for by the films "A ride for a Bride" (Keystone farce comedy), and "Two Men and a Mule." The programme will repeated this evening.

COLOSSEUM. Whether or not the people of Christchurch would approve of the Tango in

reality, the fact remains that the Colosseum, at which this much-abused dance is at present being demonstrated through the medium of the moving picture, is nightly attracting "simply crowds" of patrons, who come to watch Wallace M'Cuteheon and Joan Sawyer in their exposition of the Tango as taught by them to the New York "Four Hundred.' Together with the Tango are demonstrated various specialties in '' The Hesitation Waltz'' and the '' Turkey Trot.'' Other supporting films of merit are '' Salvation Sal,'' a story of the reclaiming of a woman of the streets by the Salvation Army. "A Husband's Awakening," dealing with a husband who failed to appreciate his wife and only realised her worth when she was forced to leave him, and "The Life of the Wasp," an educational film depicting, the life of this interesting creature. Comicalities are to be seen in '' The Late Mr Jones'' and Ane Aeroplane Love Affair." An excellent number of the "Gaumont Graphic" also finds a place on the programme, which will be repeated to-night.

GRAND THEATRE. "Princess Elena's Prisoner," the film which takes pride of place in the new programme now running at trie Grand Theatre, has drawn extensive patronage during the days of its screening. It portrays the tragedy of a pair of lovers, an army captain and a princess, who belong to warring provinces, and how the princess sacrifices hef life in order that her lover may escape the penalty of attempting to escape when a prisoner to the enemy. The film is a long one, but in no part is it uninteresting. Other very enjoyable pictures are "Flower Studies, ' a pretty and effectively shown drama, "When Dolly Died," and "The Bone." This last is a highly amusing comedy. The scenic film this time a very fine view of Niagara Falls. The orchestra su; plies suitable music during th-3 screening of the pictures. GLOBE THEATRE. The programme showing at the Globe Theatre still continues to receive the attention it deserves. The main attraction is the film '' An Unseen Terror,'' a drama of thrilling interest. It deals with the lucky knowledge a young man had of criminology, by which he was enabled to detect his father's murderer. A charming love story also runs through the story, adding special interest. Excellent supporting pictures are to be seen in "The Crozets," "River Cobra, Jamaica," "The Runaways," "When the Doctor Failed," "Peggy's Burglar," and the latest "Warwick Chronicle." The programme was shown throughout the day and will again be screened this eveil-

SYDENHAM PICTURES. "How to Dance the Tango," something novel in the way of a movingpicture film, continues nightly to attract large' and enthusiastic audiences to the Sydenham Picture Theatre. It traces the development of the dance from its home in the Argentine until it reached the ballrooms of the highest in the land. The two artists who figure most prominently are Wallace M'Cutcheon and Joan Sawyer, who have as a recommendation the fact that they are sole instructors to New York's famous "Four Hundred." The film shows pupils mastering the dance, and

gives pictorial representations of ragtime specialties in the "Hesitation Waltz'' and the '' Turkey Trot.'' Other films shown ' are the "Gaumont Graphic," "Salvation Sal," "Washington," "The Late Mr Jones," and "An Aeroplane Love Affair." The programme will be repeated to-night.