THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 267, 15 December 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

COLOSSEUM. j The new programme presented at the Colosseum last evening attracted a large and appreciative audience. '' Some Minute Aquatic Animals'' made an excellent opening study, after which came '' Bill Sav.es the Bay," a splendid comedy showing sidelights on the question of speculation. "The Pathe Gazette" showed latest war news, and then a simple little drama was screened in "The Kiss," a film which tells of the temptation which befel a' shopgirl, temptation Avhieh she was successful in mastering. "She made Herself Beautiful," brought the first half of the programme to a close. This is an excellent- comedy showing how a man was ledto see that fine clothes and fine looks "'■Were 1 not the essentials in his wife. A 'special patriotic study was shown in •"Our First Line of Defence," while /'The Evacuation of Ghent and Ostend" was another war study. The star drama shown was entitled '' From the Land of Shadows, "a study showing how "love rules the court,: the camp, the grave, and men below, and saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love.'' The story tells of the fortunes of Kenneth Mann, a scientist gathering material for a book on prehistoric races, and Beatrice Stanley,' a beautiful woman. The concluding picture was "A Substitute for Pants," a ■ splendid, farce, set forth -by a strong • cast. . To-night the programme will be presented again with. accompanying music by Fuller's Premier Orchestra. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .A capital collection of pictures, typi- . cal of His. Majesty's Theatre programmes,4s being shown, at this theatre this week. The war pictures include the evacuation of Ghent and Ostend, Belgian refugees, and a very clear view of a: Taube aeroplane in flight. One of th'e.most novel pictorial conceptions that ,haye yet been screened is " Home, Sweet Home," in which the author of .j ;fchis world-famous song, John Howard Payne, appears as the hero. The story opens with a view of the author's home, at Easthampton, Long Island, in which Payne is seen saying farewell to his mother. Encouraged by his success as a local actor, he goes to England and writes plays, which he is eventually Compelled to sell to a producing manager for a few hundred dollars. While he is still at Easthampton, his mother and his sweetheart pay a visit to the local theatre, when they overhear an orgy that is taking place in the next room, and of which Payne is the centre. They are naturally perturbed at what they consider his downward step, but the girl still retains her faith in her lover. Later follows Payne's love affair with the -widow of the poet Shelley, his detention in a debtors' prison, and subsequently Ms flight to France, where he receives his inspiration to write his masterpiece, ."Home, Sweet Home." It is while holding the post of American Consul at Tunis that the erstwhile actor severed his last earthly tie. Disappointed and broken-hearted, his mother's death soon follows. Lastly follows the death of the girl who kept her faith in her lover until the Great Reaper separated them. The second part of this picture comprises a number of episodes symbolising the influence of the immortal song, long after the poet had been laid to rest.

Among the people whose lives have been influenced by the song is a mother who is tempted to murder, in order to avenge the death of her son. In her darkest hour she is saved from herself by the magic melody of home. The most novel feature of this unique film is the allegorical finale, in which the resurrection of the actor-author is depicted. A comedy film, "His Wife's Burglar,'' tells the story of a man who, in order to punish his wife for "gadding, '' plays an apparently harmless joke, which culminates in his own discomfiture and humiliation.

DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. In the Choral Hall last evening MiArthur Lilly's students gave their second demonstration concert. The programme was one of considerable merit, N and comprised a wide choice, well calculated to display the capability and the versatility of the performers. The principal vocal contributions were contained in the "Peter Pan" cycle, in which the music is by Joan Trevelsa. The contributoi's were Miss Vida Hill (soprano), Miss Netta Keid (eontralto), Mr ,T. S. Bowie (tenor), and Mr W. J. Spratt (baritone). Each of the performers had a solo, and also sang in quartets and duets, the whole performance being eminently pleasing. Another notable item was the grand opera selection, the '' Bridal Scene'' from '' Lo- ! hengrin.". The "Introduction to Act I III." was played by a quartet of piano-. ' fortes, and then the students' choir gave '' The Bridal Chorus '' in excellent style. Miss Spratt and Mr Bowie sang the duet for Elsa and Lohengrin very tastefully. In the concert part of the ! programme songs were given by Miss Vida Hill, Mr W. J. Spratt, Miss A. O. Spratt, Mr Charles Carter, Miss Elsie Large, Mr F. C? Spratt, and Mr A. C. B. Bettle. Miss Vida Hill again created a most favourable impression by her intelligent treatment of her songs, and her pretty voice. The operatic aria '' Softly Awakes My Heart'' was rather beyond her interpretative powers, but at the same time she sang it in a very pleasing and musical fashion. Mr Chas. Carter, a light tenor, has also a very pleasant idea of interpretation, and he sang "Onaway" in a very artistic and sympathetic way. The other performers need not be particularised, but it may be said that „they all contrived to make their contributions quite acceptable. Pianoforte solos were given by Miss Lucy Grantham, Miss Bonnie Young, and Miss Minnie Coulter, and in each case a measure of success was achieved in selections which were by no means easy for young players. The concert was most enjoyable, and Mr Lilly was congratulated on being able to introduce the public to so-much young talent. SYDENHAM PICTURES. There was a new programme presented at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening, the chief study of which was '' Home, Sweet Home.'' This production sets forth the life story of John Howard Payne, the writer of the immortal lyric.' It is a drama of noble purpose, poetic in spirit and artistic in presentation. The supporting studies shown were: —"With the Enemy's Help," dramaj "Is He Eligible," comedy; "His Wife's Burglar," comedy; and the latest war topical. The programme will be presented again this evening.

GLOBE THEATRE. In the current programme at the Globe Theatre the feature study is entitled "In Mid Atlantic.' ' The, story told is of the son of a captain of a liner who becomes enamoured of a dancer while he is engaged to another girl. All the parties are on board the liner when a fire occurs in mid-ocean. To prevent panic the dancer gives a performance, and after having done a great service she ik told by the captain that the best thing she can do for his son is to go

away from hiui, and this she does at the first port of call! Other studies shown are:—"The Girl'and the Middy," comedy; '' The Australian Gazette,''' topical; and a new budget of war top.icals. The programme will be screened again this evening and throughout to-morrow.

HUNTLY BENEFIT PERFORMANCE. A triple bill will be presented by a company of leading amateurs at St. Michael's Hall to-night and on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The three short plays are new to Christchurch, one, ««The Little Stone House,'' being a strongly-handled scene from Russian life, and the other plays, <' The Red Box" and "Pros and Cons," are said to be in striking contrast to the sombre atmosphere of the Russian play, being light and sparkling. "Pros and Cons" was first produced at the Playhouse, London, by Mr Cyril Maude, and is a farcical sketch of a most amusing character. A number of well-known amateurs, including Mrs H. E. Marsh, are taking part, and the production is under the direction of Mr L.H. Booth. Another attraction will be an , exceptionally good orchestra, arranged by a number ' of Christchurch musicians, which will play appropriate music The proceeds will be devoted to the Huntly Relief Fund.

ORATORIO. Spohr*s "The Last Judgment," will be giyen. in the Cathedral on Wednesday evening. This Oratorio has been sung in Advent for some years past, and is invariably appreciated by the listeners. Dr Bradshaw will conduct. MEDERTAFEL CONCERT. The members of the Christchurch Liedertafel will give a concert on Friday evening in the Theatre Royal for the benefit of the fund now being raised for the relief of the poor of Britain and Belgium. It is seldom that this popular organisation has been heard in public, although it has been in .. existence since 1885, the concerts being given exclusively for subscribers. The programme on Friday will consist of selections from some of the Liedertafel 's finest numbers, including sev-. eral patriotic items.