THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 699, 8 May 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

PAUL DUFAULT. The huge crowd which assembled |in the Theatre Royal on Saturday I evening at the last concert of the .Paul Dufault season, was a tribute ito the manner in which the famous lienor has sung himself into and won the hearts of lovers. The theatre was packed, patrons being accommodated in the i aisles and on the stage. It was an 'enthusiastic audience, 100, for Dufault, in addition to his powers as a I vocalist, is also an artist, who brings ! out the dramatic, the tender sentiiment, or the humour of his songs, iThe first number, the aria, "How many hired Servants of My Father" (Sullivan), was splendidly given. |"Morning" (Speaks) was a delightIful conception, Mr Dufault fully conjveying the anticipatory hush of the dawn, the gradual awakening of i Nature, ending in the joyous note of j the sunlit morning. The stirring version of "The Trumpeter" aroused much enthusiasm, as did also the old 'favourites, "Au Pays" and "How's My Boy?" His stirring rendering of "The Marseillaise" brought the audience cheering to its feel. Miss Bindley's most ambitious number was the aria "One Fine Day" in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," in which she was heard to advantage. jShe was more successful, however, tin songs which do not make such big demands on the singer, the delicate I and sweet "Villanelle" (Dell'Acqua) | being easily the most conspicuous in j this respect. The dainty playing of I Miss Scapini, in Max Bruch's "Finale from Violin Conccrlo" Is deserving | of special mention, while in no small measure the success of the concert was due to the accompanist, Mr Harold Whittle. THE ROYAL STROLLERS. At the Theatre. Royal this evenI ing the Royal Strollers will make j their first appearance, and, as they come with the highest of reputations, i patrons are expecting an entertain- | ment quite out of the ordinary. The j Strollers have a very line orchestra, | which enlivens proceedings and adds to the charm of the vocal and dance items, in the latter the drummer introduces some quaint effects in the manipulation of his instrument. After an orchestral selection under the direction of Mr Arthur Frost, the Strollers introduce themselves, and from then on dull care is banished and everything is bright and sparkling. First comes an opening chorus then a medley followed by duet, song and dance by Miss Madeline Rossiter and Mr Desmond. Then comes Chief Stroller James wilh his criticisms on "Songs and Singers." The basso Mr George j Graysfone will contribute an item, ! and a new arrangement of "Three j Blind Mice" by Misses Rossiter, ] Milne, Lewis, and Messrs Desmond, Grayslone and James will be I'olI lowed by a series of songs at the I piano by Miss Gwen Lewis. The first part of the programme will be concluded wilh Mr Sydney James in |his ventriloquial scena in whicb.be j will introduce "Billy," the incom- | parable jester. The second part j commences wilh an orchestral selecI lion followed by a vocal solo by Miss Connie Milne, then Miss Rossiter will I present one of her dance speciali- ! lies and Mr Desmond will contribute! ! ragtime numbers and a wonderful eccentric dance. An original bur- 1 | lesque entitled "Our Picture Palace" | will conclude the entertainment. In I Ihis clever sketch all the members I of the company will appear as favourite picture players. The box plan is now on view at The Bristol. j OPERA HOUSE. A number of new acts will be presented at the Opera House to-night, 'be foremost being thai of the dockers, who present, a water juggling turn. This is an entirely new departure in juggling, and the turn is said to he particularly clever. George Grotty, a yqvuc star from the I leading London music halls, is an-i

other newcomer. De Baker's Models will present new groups of livingj statuary, and Brown and Sorlie, who I have made a decided hit with Christchurch patrons, will appear in a; sketch. All' Holt, the clever cuter-! tainer and imitator, concludes the first half of the programme. The Victor Prince Revusical Company will provide the whole of the second half with a new production entitled "Full Steam Ahead."