"THE PINK LADY."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1164, 3 November 1917, Page 9

"THE PINK LADY."

"The Pink Lady," to be produced for the first time in Christchurch on Monday night next at the Theatre Royal, by J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company, is slated to fee a musical novelty with a pleasant surprise. The piece has many recommendations. One of these is that there is an approach to coherency in the plot, which is founded on a French farce, elaborated into a three-act musical comedy. The libretto and the lyrics arc by Mr 0. M. S. McLcnnan, who has offered proof of his dramatic capacity in "The Belle of New York" and "Leah Klcshna." The music is from the facile pen of Mr Ivan Caryll. and possesses a tuneful significance which is not always apparent in pieces of this kind. There is plenty of gaiety and glamour, which comes from the scenery and costume and the brilliancy of the numerous accessories which the J. C. Williamson management knows so well how lo handle in this class of production. Poetic, piquant and melodic, it is carried along by a capable cast. which gives the production a quality of abandon and rhythmic grace. There is nol a moment of fhe whole nerformar.ee which lacks the sparkle of refined merriment. The piece I is distinguished in being given one lof the strongest musical comedy j casts that has ever been announced ;in this city. It includes Minnie Love ! (the Pink Lady). Florence Young, \ddie Lennard, Jessie Catfyn, Gladys Moncrieff. Maie Raird, Bessie Foy, Marjory Brav. Phil. Smith, Reginald Roberts, Leslie Holland, Harrv jßadclifTe, Jack Ralston, Dick Shortland, Stanley Odgers, Alfred Andrew, Claude Solomon, Freddy Wallace, and the clever eccentric dancer, Clyde Cook. This production ! will be staged for four nights. On [Friday and Saturday next "The j Cinema Star" will be presented. The [box plans for "The Pink Ladv" are [now on view at Milner and Thompson's. The company will arrive tomorrow morning from Wellington. POM POM PIERROTS. The Pom Pom Pierrots will present a well-varied programme at the Opera House on Monday evening, in aid of the fund for supplying comforts to the men in the trenches. The nerformers are Montague Gillmore (tenor), Miss Louise Hannay (contralto), Charles Lawrence (light comedian), Miss Grace Jones (soubretfe and danseuse). William Fredericks (raconteur), Miss Jean Adams (elocutionist) and Robert Kirk (pianist). The Pom Poms have been putting in hard work for some time past under Mr William Densem, and a very successful entertainment is anticipated. The concerts presented by Mrs H. R. Smith's clever combination in the various country districts created a very favourable impression, and have been well attended. The programme on Monday evening will include several numbers which have not yet been presented to Chrisfchurch audiences, and the performance will be enhanced by instrumental music bv the Christchurch Ranjo Rand before the performance and during the intermission. The staff for the Opera House, arranged by Mr B. S. Knox, has given its services free. The box plan is at The Bristol. AUTO PIERROTS. A concert in aid of the Red Cross funds will be given in the Opera House next Friday and Saturday evenings bv a troupe of performers who style themselves the Auto Pierrots. The performances are being given under the auspices of the Canterbury Automobile Association. The list of artists appearing is a very lengthy one, and so many excellent items are included in the programme that the concerts are bound to be most interesting and enjoyable. MR H. NEVTLL-SMITH'S CONCERTS. In the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening (November 14). The first of two concerts will he given bv the students from the studio of Mr 11. Nevill-Smith, the proceeds to he donated to the Returned Soldiers' Fund. Mrs Percy Rule, who is wellremembered by her brilliant singing here last year, will be heard in several new works. Mrs Rule has a charming soprano voice, and her graceful girt of expression adds materially to her success. Lieut. Zeisler makes his first appearance since he returned from the war. He made many successful appearances in New Zealand before leaving for the front, and sang both in France and England. Many talented young singers will make their first appearances at this concert. The box plan opens at The Rristol next Wednesday, November 7. Reserved scats are 3/-. SONG RECITAL. Mr Sidney Williamson will give the last recital of this year's series in the Masonic Hall, Gloucester Street, on Monday evening, November 12. The programme for this recital has been chosen bv Mr Williamson's subscribers from the works introduced bv him during the past seven years. The supporting artists are Miss Flhel Johnson (contralto) and Miss Gertrude Eaton (pianist). The box plan is at Milner and Thompson's.

BOY SCOUTS AT OPERA HOUSE. Next Wednesday and Thursday the Boy Scouts will give a spectacular o 'tertainrhent at the Opera House. A special feature will be a large camp-lire scene, occupying the whole stage, at which the Scouts will show what they can do in jiujitsu, boxing, Swedish drill, etc. Mr Bracey Wilson will give some of his Scottish songs and stories. Two very line films, entitled, "Girl Scouts," and "0.H.M.5." will be screened for the first time in this city. The box plan is at Milner and Thompson's. The prices of admission are 2/- and 1/-, with Cd extra for reserved seats. GATHERING OF THE CLANS. On Thursday and Friday next the Scottish Society of New Zealand will hold their annual "Gathering of the Clans." This is the sixteenth celebration, and it promises to be as successful as its predecessors. The good Scots of the district will don the tartan and gather to hear the "Auld Scols Sangs," and to enjoy the Highland dancing by both senior and juvenile members. A special feature of the function will be the free distribution of heather, which is specially sent out from Scotland for this annual gathering. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. A concert will be given in the Choral. Hall on Monday week by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr A. Worsley. The hox plan will be opened at Wehley, Sons and Gofton on Thursday.