AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9304, 3 August 1908, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

~+ OPERA HOUSE. The Wde W. rid Pictures, which haro succeeded the Royal Pictures in popularity and have supplanted Fullers Vaudeville- Company at the Opera i House, drew large audiences on Satur- I day for afternoon and evening entertainments. The pictures; which covered more than the usual variety oi' subjects, end were appreciatively received both by children and adults. The programme will be repeated every evening until Thursday, when, there will be a complete change of pictures. THEATRE ROYAL. Th*» change of programme made by The Merrymakers at th© Theatre Royal on Saturday evening drew a large audience, which enjoyed the clever entertainment thoroughly. Among such a. talented set of artists it is hard bo cay which is the best, hut if there is a beet it is Miss Betty Ohls, a vivacious young lady who Kings a number of dainty wngs in a most captivating manner. Her bird songs w.ero distinctly pleasing, " Cuckoo " gaining an emphatic encore., while the clearness* and easewith which she takes some very high I note ia remarkable. . Her pretty.

French song again mot ivith a soot reception. Mr Sana Walsh gave ; eorie^ ot' witty ;uid enjoyable piam "talks," and Mr Eric Blorc's snecauif «;ong was given with a verve that so cured him a well-merited encore. Mi J. I\l. Campbell repeated hi« :: Mm Wizzeu ''* fc ketch, and told a number o Scotch storic.3 tliat brought down tht liouf e. Miss Doris Lind tsang a tuncfu coon ecng, '' Ruii Away From Old Mar Goblin," prettily, and Miss Elsie Vv 7i]liams gave " Enid," n. song deficriptivf of a vicar's daup;hter\s droadful career with much spirit. Mr Gavin Wood, who possesses a fine bass voice, sane v Tho Admiral's Broom " well, and wai alsa euccpfii-:i : i]l in l)i« other eongs, notably ;t Bins Bonnete." The humorouii part eongs evoked roars of laughter. and " Soothing Stimulauts," a clove i metlley. vas pvebably the best- of then:. Altog'othor tho entertainment was bright find en.joyabio all thranah. Th<j pro^rammo will b-3 repeated t£is evening. MESSRS MEYNELtTaND GUXN'S SEASON. By arranjrevr.ent with Mr Ailan Hamil'Lon, Mos.srs Mej'iieil and Guan I will inaugurate a new season of drama !on Friday evening, at tho Theatre Royal. The season will be limited to eight nights, during which threo plays .will be presented, two of which a,Vo now. The opening play, "Tho Liftta Breadwinner," will bo staged for four nights, and will be- followed by Arthur Shirley's drama, "Tho Stepmother." The last t-«--n nights of tho season will bo devoted to a revival <;)' "The Faial Wedding." "Tho Little Broadv.ii:.ner;: has been performed in all the chief centres of Australia since the beginning of tho year, and everywhere luas drawn large audiences and attracted favourable attention. The character of Meg, tho little breadwinner,, played by Miss Queenie Williams, k said to bo one of th© sweetest of child ehjiraotors. An Australian actress. Miss Beatrice Holloway, will play tho lead, and will be supported by "some well known artists. Mr Ernest Leief^ter has been engaged for the part of Captain Bristow in ''Tho Stepmother,"' and will make his first appearance in that piece. The box plan will be open at the Dresden this morning