THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 176, 31 August 1914, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

HARRY LAUDER. HIS TIKST CONCEET. THE BUYER OF THE FLAG. It was a bravv, bricht, moonlicht flickt for the first of Harry Lauder's appearances in this toon, and he was a' richt, ye ken. Popular tradition has it that when a Seotelwnan says a performer is "no' so bad," he is expressing a considerable measure of approbation. When he declares that a man is '•'a' richt," or confesses t ! »at he "liked Jiinv fine," he is handing out a testimonial that might be inscribed on •parchment in letters of gold. Over many a wee doech an doris Harry Lauder will be recalled, and the last line of his ain sang will be the tribute" paid him. "He's a' richt, ye ken."

There is a charm about Harry' Lauder which one simply has to respond to.. He lias that almost indefinable quality, personality, or magnetism, or whatever you like to call it, which takes one a willing captive. He fills the stage with his breezy and vigorous presence, and he. sings, laughs, and jokes his way in the minds and hearts of ihis hearers. In his laughter making the adventitious aid of the costumes and make-up which are part of the stock-in-trade of every comedian, b»4 his art only begins there. He contrives to invest every gesture, word, and action with some humorous significance, and people find themselves laughing almost without knowing what they are laughing at. The very way he said "McKay!" brought the house <lown. ; There is nothing very subtle in Ms methods, his songs, or his jokes. In each of these simplicity and homeliness are the • distinguishing features. Perhaps that is why he is so delightful and so irresistible. His comie "business" is always refreshing and spontaneous, and he has a lot of natural agility packed away in his sturdy little body and short legs.

Mr Lauder fills the second half of the programme, which means that the responsibility for over an hour's entertainment rests on him. He has been a prolific writer of songs, many of which have achieved a wide popularity, and with the words and airs of which'his audiences are quite familiar. The "Saftest of the Family,'' of course, is quite a classic, and it was good to see and hear Mr Lauder in the character which he has created. The song is only an incident, most of the fun being contained in the monologue of the "saft" bay who is portrayed bA* the comedian with such consummate skill. It has its fleeting pathetic moments, which were just touched with the artistry of true genius. Later Mr Lauder appeared as one of the corps of "Horse Kilties," and gave the audience fifteen minutes of undiluted fun in his songs and stories of that gallant and amorous company. "She's Ma Daisy" was the incidental 8on & given in the best Lauderian manner. " Tobermory" and "A wee Doee.h an Doris" were also given, and the audience simply had to join in the

chorus of the latter song. "I Love a Lassie" and ''The Wee Hoose Among the Heather" were sung in excellent style. Their humour is not so virile as that in thc.ji.ther songs, but they have dainty and lilting airs, which Mr Lauder sings to perfection. He has a capital singing voice, an asset which is quite a rarity among comedians. Mr Lander was daring enough to sing once or twice without accompaniment, one of the songs being an Irish one, in deference to the wish of a "bowld buckoboy" in the.gallery. The comedian is accompanied by a number of artists, who till the first half of the entertainment, and do it very well. The musical director is Mr Horace Sheldon, whose unconventional style of conducting created some little amusement, and attracted more than usual attention to the capable work of the orchestra. Mr Jack Ark is described us a unique diabolo expert, and he certainly performed some marvellous tricks at a game which never reached the. -dizzy limits of a craze in this outpost of the Empire. His concluding turn, making the spinning toy run up an inclined plane from the stage to the gallery, where it exploded a cap, was quite as startling as it was clever. Mr Selvvyn Driver is an entertainer of some calibre, sms.it and bright all the way through. His "Advertising" monologue was exceedingly clever and entertaining. Mr Ernest Sewell mystified the audience with a few sleight-of-hand tricks, which were performed with dexterous cleverness and in the - most engaging style. This ) however, was only an introduction to his "living marionette" turn, which wants to be seen to be understood and appreciated. Mr Sewell kept the audience in roars, and his departure was quite Regretted. A novel performance was given by Miss Irene* Bercseny, a cymbalist, assisted by Yoska, violin! ist. It was a very pretty turn indeed, j and one would like to have heard more | of the cymbalist. An acrobatic wire act, full of thrills and daring, was put on by the three Hassans. They (two ladies and one man) were all wirewalkers and dancers, and the youngman was a wire-cyclist who did some amazingly clever things, on single and double wheels, on a wire rope. Miss Kitty Ryan, an Irish balladist, sang her songs charmingly. The first part of the show is excellent vaudeville. At the end of the performance the flag which had been made and presented by Messrs Strange and Co. to the Patriotic Demonstration Committee in aid of the Patriotic Fund, was offered by auction by Mr Jones, of the Craddock, MeCrostie Company, in conjunction with Mr Harry Lauder. The flag, j a silken Union Jack, was brought on j to the stags by "John Bull" and the i Ma.yor, and was greeted with rousing enthusiasm. Small flags of the allied countries were also displayed, and were offered with the Union Jack. Mr Jones stated that the flag bore the signatures of the Governor (Lord Liverpool), Sir Alexander Godley, Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, the Canterbury members of Parliament, Bishop Julius, Bishop Grimes, Mr Justice Denniston, Mr J. J. Dougall (president of the Navy League), the Mayor, the Town Clerk, Mr Harry Lauder, and the Executive Committee of the Patriotic Demonstration.

The bidding opened at 10 guineas, and jumped quickly to 00. "This is a

banner which has never been defeated," said Mr Lauder. '' We have been chased away often, but we have always come back and stood our ground. I really believe that this war is the greatest in history, and the British Empire is going to do something this time that will last for ever and ever." Mr Lauder advanced the bid to 50 guineas amid great applause. Bids of 60 and 70 followed, and finally Mr Lauder came to light with 100 guineas. The flag was

knocked down to Mr Lauder amid great cheering. The purchaser started the singing of "God King," the audience joining in with patriotic e*thusiasm. *"'

"HINEMOA." There should be a large attendance at His Majesty's Theatre to-rtight, for, as previously announced, the fine drama of the ancient Maori, "Hinemoa," will be produced. This picture was acted and taken amongst scenes ascribed to the legend, and was played by a special troupe of Maoris brought together with the assistance of the Government. A synopsis of scenes and incidents, which gives some suggestion of the drama, includes the following: —The Return of Rangiuru to Whakane with Tutanekai —Eighteen Years Later Tiki Brings News of Hmemoa —Jealousy of Ngararanui—The Meeting of the Maoris — Secret Meetings of the Lovers—Hinemoa on the Rock—Maori Customs—The Sound of the Lover's Flute —Hinemoa's Swim from Rotorua to the Island of Mokoia —Mokoia Island—Hinemoa 's Bath —The Broken Calabash—Tutanekai Finds Hinemoa —Lonely Tiki —Happiness of All—Sunset—Te Honga. Other supporting pictures are: "The Bos 'un 'sMate'' (Jacobs's comedy), i' A Song at Twilight" (drania), "The Mighty Monarch"-(Vita comedy), and the latest copy of the '' Gaumont Graphic." Box plans are available at the Dresden.

COLOSSEUM. Both afternoon and evening sessions at the Colosseum on Saturday were well patronised, and, thoroughly enjoyed. "The Mysterious Case" and the Keystone comedy "A Water Dug" being specially approved. The management announced a new series of i'ilms for to-night, the chief feature being a military drama 4000 ft long, entitled "Fighting Blood of 1809." The film deals with incidents in the life of Napoleon, particularly with his wars wi£h Austria after the victory at Austerlitz, and has as main incidents episode's in the life of Andreas Hoper, the patriot of Tyrol, who fought against the Grand Army, and died for his country. The supporting pictures are: — "Pathe's Gazette," showing many recent topical events, "Grandmother's Wedding Dress" (drama), "A Trip in Southern India" (scenic), "Brussels" (scenic), "Belgian Cavalry," and another of those popular Keystone farces entitled '' The Fatal Mallet.'' SYDENHAM PICTURES. The Sydenham Picture Theatre is also showing the notable Maori drama, ■ this evening, and for the rest of will command as much as at His Majesty's. This version of the old "Maori legend is taken at Rotorua amongst the scenes belonging to the story, and has been acted by a troupe of fifty Maoris, all capable performers, the result is an unusual drama of more than ordinary interest. Amongst the other pictures which go to make up the programme are "The Bosun's Mate" (Jacobs's comedy), "A Song at Twilight," "The Mighty Monarch" (Vita comedy), and the latest "Gaumont Graphic."

GLOBS PICTURES. The Globe Continuous Picture Theatre, having just concluded a very successful series, opened to-day with another which is, if possible, even more attractive. For thrilling incident and ingenious devices, hairbreadth escapes and strong dramatic intensity there are few picture plays to beat "The Chinese Death Trap," and the audiences follow with tense interest the exciting adventures that befall tl«> chief characters until the end, when Oriental villainy is frustrated and the hero wins out to his reward. Another fine picture of great interest at the present moment is the spectacular review of the British .Navy at Spithcad last year, all

the great battleships being seen in their parade state, at close quarters, and in fighting array. There is also a genuinely funny comedy to be seen in "The Cusher," a Keystone mirthmaker, and there are others besides that go to make a good entertainment.

OPERA HOUSE. Saturday night saw the closing for the time being, at any rate, of the Opera House, a decision A'.hUii has been arrived at by the proprietary owing to their inability to be qnite sure of a regular supply of artists,;consequent on the more or lews dislocated steamer services. The house was crowded ±\n the Jast performance, the audience being especially entliusiasti.'.. The ' 4 busiiie*;«;' at the resort of vaudeville in Christchurch has progressed wonderfully of late; due in no small degree to the admirable management; of Mi Chadwick, who certainly has made the show'"go," and the final programme presented was one of high order of merit. Mr Chadwick, better known perhaps as manager than artist, assumed the latter role on Saturday night v as the leading member of the Musical Clarinos, a duo who delighted those present. He is possessed of somewhat remarkable executant ability and his work on the concertina was a feature of the evening's en tertainment. The other artists did their share in providing an admirable programme and at the close there was a demonstration of appreciation by the audience.

ORGAN RECITAL. A well selected and enjoyable propranime, devoted to Handel's music, was given by Dr Bradshaw, in his organ recital at His Majesty's last evening. The numbers included the Triumphal March (concluding with the Occasional Overture), "Ann, Ann, Ye Brave" (with "See the Conquering Hero Comes," from Judas Maccabeus), "Lift Up Your Heads" (from the Messiah), " Water Music," " Ruddier than the Cherry," and "Cuckoo and Nightingale. '' The Mayor (Mr 11. Holland), in an address to the audience, said 6 that in consequence of the recent poor attendances causing a substantial loss to the council, it had been suggested that the recitals should be stopped for the present. He would greatly regret their discontinuance, as would many music lovers who appreciated their merit. By reducing the cost —some £l6 per recital —by A r oluntary help in the management, and a judicious lowering of the rent, as well as by a greater liberality on the part of the public, it might be possible yet to maintain the recitals. Mr Holland invited a show of hands, which resulted., in favour of continuance.