THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1787, 5 November 1919, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

CHRISTCHURCH ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. The Orchestral Society will have to work Very hard if it wishes to eclipse the high standard set-at its concert last evening. In all departments a marked advance was noticeable, and no better instance of this could be cited than the "Tannhauser" overlure, with which the programme opened, the unusually steady initial speed adopted j serving to bring out much of the instrumen- [ tat detail which is so often unheard. The brass section, always a bete Tioir to a conductor of amateurs, was responsible for much Of the improvement, their accuracy of both note and pitch showing a great advance on previous work, whilst the strings and wood-wind had their own especial claims to eulogistic comment. But, excellent as this was, it was excelled by the orchestra's share in Grieg's Pianoforte Concerto, on which achievement Mr Bunz has very good reason to congratulate his players, and they to return the compliment. Orchestral accompaniment of this order is a far harder test of a band's capabilities than the performance of many a seemingly more difficult selection, and, taken in conjunction with the delightful playing of the soloist, serves to stamp this concert as a very noteworthy one indeed. Similar flue . playing was heard in McDowell's graceful I trifle, "To a Wild Bose," arranged by Mr I B. A. Home, and containing some daintyeffects with muted strings; in Coleridge Taylor's fascinating "Petite Suite," with the addition of the "Tarantellc"; and in the tuneful and invigorating "Pique Dame" overture by Suppe. It is the fashion (or the pose) of many nowadays to hold pure, unembellished melody as of very little ac- i count, and an occasional performance of | one of these light concert overtures comes i as a welcome reminder that no amount of skill in a composer can altogether atone for lack of melodic facility. Miss Kathleen Crcsswell, who essayed the arduous part of soloist in Grieg's Concerto, is an unusually versatile performer, to whom no style of playing is likely to come amiss. In execution she is deft, sure-flngered and altogether reliable, her octave work being particularly brilliant; her touch, although inclined to hardness in her emphatic moods, possesses most beautiful singing quality in sustained passages; whilst her handling of the adagio betokens the possession of a remarkable sense of artistic phrasing and rhythm. Mr Empson should be proud to have so accomplished an exponent of his high skill as a teacher, and no doubt he is. Debussy once likened Grieg's music to "eating pinkcoloured bonbons filled with snow," but, if this is meant to imply a luck of the elements of boldness and masculinity in many of his works, it is not true of the concerto under notice, as Miss Cresswell was able to demonstrate very forcibly. A selection of delightful songs, two of Schubert's and two Old English, was contributed by Mr Heathcote Garland, a young singer of artistic intentions, fine enunciation, and most musical temperament, all qualities which will stand him in excellent stead when he has acquired a sounder control of his mechanical outfit. His voice Is distinctly a good one, but at present he is on unsafe ground in the management of the upper portion. When this is rectified Mr Garland will find himself the possessor of a much better vocal instrument than he possibly suspects. Messrs Matheson, Joll, Beveridgc and Hawker bid fair to do most creditable work as a quartet party, as soon as they have mastered the all-important matter of balance. Their first tenor and second bass have unusually good types of voice for effective combination, but the second tenor is inclined to unnecessary prominence. Their selections, Hatton's "Absence," Brahms's "Lullaby" and Macey's "Simple Simon," found high favour with the audience. The last-named, with its clever quasi-recitatlve passage, is capital as an example of a humorous part-song, but it can scarcely be said to have an ralson d'etre In a programme of serious music. Miss Muriel Little, as accompanlste to MiGarland, played delightfully, and cordial congratulations are the due of Mr A. .1. Bunz for the pronounced success of the major portion of the concert.

"GOODY TWO-SHOES" PANTOMIME. | The box plans for the first six nights and next Saturday ami Wednesday matinees arc now.opcn at Milner and Thompson's. The popularity of the coming J. C. Williamson "Goody Two-Shoes" pantomime is likely to he illustrated by the magnitude of the advance booking. Possibly no J. C. Williamson pantomime of recent years has been so looked forward to. This in a great measure is due to the exceptionally fine cast. Again Mr Arthur Stigant Is the Dame. A new principal boy will be found in Miss Dorothy Hastings, who comes with an enviable reputation. Miss Madeline Harrison is the principal girl, and bails from America. Miss Maggie Dickinson is seen in several beautiful ballets and specialty dances. A tower of artistic strength is Mr Fred Walton—The Toy Soldien —a performance quoted ns being ! absolutely inimitable. Then there is Miss Toby Claude, who plays Araminta. Miss Claude is recognised as one of America's foremost eccentric comediennes. Other people of importance In the glittering show axe Misses Hazel Stewart, Floie Allen, Herbert Walton, Gus. Bluett, Charles' Howard, Sydney Yates, Arthur Klliott, and Stanley Odgers. The specialties, too, are unusually attractive, amongst the most notable of these being the famous Kenna Brothers, in their acrobatic act, "By AirpUme to the North Pole"; Fred Walton with the Toy Soldier, and Jewel's Marionette Circus, presenting "Circus Day in Toyland." Officially the J.C.W. management consider that "Goody Two-Shoes" excels in every way those two notable successes, "Mother Goose" and the "Forty Thieves." Every year when the .T. C. Williamson pantomime is going on in Melbourne the enthusiastic statistician in the office of Her Majesty's Theatre sets to work to enlighten playgoers as to what the making of n huge pantomime really means in figures. He has estimated that 9000 electric lights will shine in the big production; that three miles and a-half of electric wiring will form part of the equipment; that the number of times the chorus and ballet will change their costumes will be 15 at every performance; that the total number of articles of dress in the costume side of the pantomime will be 4200, Including millinery and head dresses; that the timber used in the huge stage settings would extend a disstancc of four miles; that seven miles of canvas will be used for the scenery; over which will be spread 300cwt of paint. The number of people employed in the production is over 150. The nine nights' season will commence with a matinee next Saturday.

OPERA HOUSE. Newcomers on this week's programme at the Opera House include Moon and Morris, soft-toe dancers and patter artists, who provide a highly diverting turn. Pinto, a contortionist, introduces a number of new novelties and ties himself into apparently inextricable knots. "Hold-overs" from last week's programme are Frank Sidney and Co., the Astons, and the Cracknells. The revue portion of the programme is supplied by the Paul Stanhope Company, which presents an amusing production, entitled "Safety First." Paul Stanhope as Spike Murphy is as popular as ever, and he is ably supported by the other members of the company. "Safety First" is replete with songs, choruses, dancing turns and comedy interludes. The same programme will be presented this evening. QUEEN'S THEATRE. There is a good programme at the Queen's Theatre this week, headed by D. W. Griffith's masterpiece, "Hearts of* the World." This picture has been shown in Christchurch before, but it is of such excellence that it can easily bear more than one repeat. It unfolds a drama of the Great War, and contains one of the sweetest love stories ever written. From an artistic viewpoint the picture leaves nothing to be desired, the touch of the master-hand of Mr Cii-illitli being apparent throughout. A strong cast includes such notable artists as the Gish sisters and Robert Harron. GRAND THEATRE. A play with a somewhat peculiar title, "For Husbands Only," is at present being shown at the Grand Theatre. It is a wonderfully good play nevertheless, and stars the fascinating Mildred Harris, wife of Charlie Chaplin in private lire. The serial picture, "Further Adventures of Stingarec," proves a great draw to the theatre. A Christie comedy, "A Regular Patsey," and the latest number of the "Co-operative Gazette" finishes off an all-round good show. The pictures will be shown continuously to-day and to-night from noon until 10 p.m. CRYSTAL PALACE. The dainty Metro star, Emmy Wehlen, may be seen at Crystal Palace this week in an interesting romance, entitled "When A Woman Loves." There is a dramatic climax to the story, which cannot fail to appeal. "The Last Bottle," a clever satire ion Prohibition, by J. Montgomery Flagg, and "The Rogue," featuring the comedian, Billy West, are the humorous items on the programme. A number of classical solos are sung by Mr Harold Prescott. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A strong programme is being shown at this popular theatre this week, including a film drama from Rex Beach's powerful story, "Heart of the Sunset," and "The Magnificent Meddler," a Topical Gazette, and a comedy film. STRAND THEATRE. The current programme at the Strand Theatre is beaded by "Arizona," featuring Douglas Fairbanks, and "Jane Goes A-Woo-inp," with Vivian Martin in the lead. The supporting programme includes dramatic, comic and topical subjects.

LIBERTY THEATRE. "The Sentimental Bloke" continues to charm large audiences at the Liberty Theatre. It would be hard to imagine more sympathetic and artistic treatment for Mr C. J. Dennis's delightful poem-story. The acting is beyond reproach and the scenery is in keeping with the general happy result. Good supports are being shown. ROYAL TOGOS-ALSACE COMPANY. The Boyal Togos-Alsace Vaudeville Company- will open a short season of five nights at the King's Theatre on Friday. The Boyal Togos come with a very big reputation. They have headed the bills all over the world wherever they have appeared. It is over two years since Mr Hugh D. Mcintosh Imported them, and they packed the theatres on the circuit over which they played three times. After, finishing their engagement with the Tivoli Theatres, Ltd., they were about to return to England, when Mr Ben. Fuller engaged them, and played them over his big circuit of theatres three times also. They have .apeared for six seasons in Sydney and Melbourne with enormous success. Their clever and wholly unique performance has never been excelled locally, and their wonderful balancing feats stamp them as masters of their art. "Alsace" is a musical wonder. He plays the 'cello, saxophone and violin, and introduces the "Alsaccphonc," the "violin with a human voice." He is a perfect master of nil these instruments, and he provides a refined and cultured act in every respect. La Belle Undine, premiere danseuse, In the latest dance originalities, direct from the Nouveau Cirque, Paris, will make her first apearance in New Zealand. Wendy Dale and Alphonsc arc two

•clover musicnl people, whose net lias hecn much appreciated throughout their tour in New Zealand. Miss Lalla Knight is a lyric soprano, with a fine voice, and Miss O Hana Matsu, solo pianistc and accompaniste, is the only Japanese pianlste who has toured New Zealand. The hox plan is now open at The Bristol.