THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 210, 9 October 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

THE DANDIES. The Dandies opened their return season of six nights at the Opera House last night before a fairly good and certainly appreciative audience. Their entertainment Was the same bright and attractive combination of drollery and anusie as before, though all the items given were new, and as before, Mr Boland Henry was the bright spot of comedy in the troupe. Although the other performers have their individual merits it is safe to say that none are so wholeheartedly enjoyed as Mr Henry, and the audience showed that they could stand quite a lot more of his work without thinking that the entertainment lacked variety. Mr Henry's big success last sight was his version of village melodrama, but he was good in everything lie did, and his recalls numbered more than the items for which he was set down on the programme. His humour is mostly drollery, but it has the effectiveness that only a true humorist can give. Mr Andrew Pace is another fav-

ourite. His comedy is of the light opera order, and, with his simulation of French accent and his mannerisms he -has something of " preeiousness'' in his style, but he sings light comedy songs well, and has a good voice which would be the better if he let it out more. His words do not carry far. Mr George Taylor, the basso, has also a genuinely humorous appeal, beside a good round yoiee? which he knows how to use, and he was at his best in the concerted items and in his duets with Miss Naomi McQuoin —he has some talent for character work. Miss McQuoin is the soubrette of the -company. She, too, is best in team work, and she goes well with Mr Taylor, their coster duet and the song "In Love" were their best items as a pair, but Mr Taylor got unhesitating laughter and applause with his burlesque oratorio, '' Jimmy Law." A really fine tenor voice of more than ordinary range is possessed by Mr David Lyle, but his enunciation is by no means as good'and takes away much of the effectiveness of his singing, though in concerted items this is not noticeable and the voice is used with very pleasant effect. His singing of "Oft in the Stilly Night" was his best

effort. Mr Harry Webster is a very valuable member in the part songs and other team work, but is also of merit in his individual songs with patter, though there is not a great deal of humour in the song and patter of " The Nightwatchman," other than that which Mr Roland Henry, in the character of an inebriated soldier, supplies to the medley. Then besides these artists (and it is .not because of inferior ability that they are mentioned last) are Misses Ethel Walker and Linda Bradford, soprano and contralto respectively. Miss Walker, besides the recall items which all the members of the company were called on to supply, sang "The Daisy Opens Her Eyes,'' and, with MiDavid Lyle, the duet, "On the Wings of a Dove,'' very pleasantly and Miss Bradford's solo item was "Beloved, Sleep." Several items of grotesquerie were produced by the Dandies, in pairs and quartets, all of which were amusing, and the operatic quartet "Over the Dark Blue Waters" by Misses Walker and Bradford and Messrs Paee and Taylor, was one of the best of the concerted numbers, and the quartet of male voices also gave enjoyable music. Altogether it was a very good pro-

gramme-well presented, rnd the popularity of "The Dandies" is not likely to wane. A new programme will be given on Saturday night, and the short season will conclude next. Wednesday evening. ■ . •- GLOBE THEATRE. One of the great attractions in the new programme at the Globe Theatre is a film entitled '' The Tango, '' which shows the history and intricacies of this famous dance. Another very fine picture is "The Husband's Awakening," a drama, telling a story of how a husband neglects his wife and child and becomes engrossed in his business. He soon finds out his mistake, and happiness reigns again. The other films are:— "Gaumont Graphic," "Aeroplane Love Affair'' (comedy), and " Late Mr Jones" (comedy). The programme will be screened again this evening - and throughout to-morrow. SYDENHAM PICTURES. '' A Mexican Bull Fight,''. the star item in the new programme at the Sydenham Theatre, was responsible for a- very large audience last evening. The supporting pictures, which were all well received, comprise:—"Path6 Gazette" (topical), "Francine" (com-edy-drama), ■ '■' Airlos and their Performing Dogs" (vaudeville act), "An Easy Victory" (comedy); "The War Budget" (New Zealand topical), "Wire Chief's Reward" (drama), and "An! Eavesdropper" (comedy). The programme will be screened again this i evening, ami at the usual matinee per- j formance to-morrow. THE COLOSSEUM. • | There was a crowded house at the Colosseum last evening, when the current programme, headed by "A Mexican Bull Fight," a splendid study of the national sport of the Mexicans, was keenly enjoyed. A very fine supporting series was also screened, the most conspicuous among these being "Thej Pathe Gazette," containing some good war pictures, and '' An Eavesdropper,'' a splendid Keystone comedy. The programme will be repeated this evening. The usual matinee performance is announced for to-morrow. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "Europe in Peace and War" continues to draw large and appreciative audiences to the nightly sessions at His Majesty's Theatre. The film, which shows the armies and navies now at war in a very realistic manner,, also contains scenes on the French frontier, Army manoeuvres, Life Guards, Highlanders, British guardians; of. the-air, and French artillery, etc. The other items on the programme, among which is the latest edition of the "Gaumont Graphic" are exceedingly good. The same pictures will be screened this evening, and at the matinee performance to-morrow. MISS DULCIE MITCHELL. There is every indication that a large audience will welcome Miss Dulcie i Mitchell at her concert on Monday evening. The booking has been steady and constant, and the music-loving public are anticipating something quite out of the ordinary. Miss Mitchell studied "Don Carlos" under the personal supervision of Madame Kirkby Lunn, and her interpretation of "O.Don Fatale" is said to be a musical treat. LEROY, TALMA, AND BOSCO. The magicians, Leroy, Talma, and Bosco, will commence a season of magic at the Theatre Royal, on Tuesday next, when Christchurch is promised a show of an intensely interesting and weird character. Leroy, Talma, and Bosco are bringing with them a company of 22 English, American, and Continental artists, and a stock of tricks and illusions which they have specially pre- ' pared for this tour. Mr Leroy, the producer of the illusions is a genius in I this line, and his latest sensation, to be presented for the first time in New Zealand, is a remarkable spectacular illusion, entitled, "Nero," or "Thrown to the Lions," which deals with the daj-s of Nero,-and his persecution of the Christians. Mr Leroy is the central figure in most of the scenes, but is ably assisted by Mile. Talma, described as the original "Queen of Coins," and Bosco, the comedian of the company. Mr Leroy will also perform for the first time the famous Hindu rope trick, which he has mastered after a great deal of trouble, and which incurred a trip to India to secure the secret. A tremendous amount of scenery and effects are carried; also two huge lions, which are used in the Nero illusion. Included in the company are Warner and White, eccentric dancers, singers, and talkers; the Great Santucci, who plays operatic selections and other popular melodies on his piano accordeon, an exceedingly novel instrument; aud the marvel of the canine world, Napoleon. The box plan is now on view at the Dresden, where seats may be reserved.