AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9305, 4 August 1908, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The Merrymakers attracted a large audience to the Theatre Royal last evening, when \ Saturday night's successful programme was repeated, with some alterations and additions. Mr Sana Walsh, in response to the last of many recalls for Ms clever and humorous pianoforte sketches, recited the , battle invocation from Henry V. in a spirited and dramatic manner. Miss Doris Lind sang a humorous songlet, " A Delicate Hint," and was doubly encored. Miss Betty Ohls delighted her audience with her dainty singing, and Miss Elsie Wiliiams's items were exceptionally successful. Mr Gavin Wood's bass songs were sung artistically, and the concerted numbers by the company were extremely amusing. Mr J. M. Campbell's funny stories and his imitation of Harry Lauder were especially effective. The programme will be repeated this evening, OPERA HOUSE. The Wide World Pictures drew another largo audience to the Opera House last evening, and the films, which wero very clearly shown, were heartily appreciated. The American Civil War picture, the fleet at San Pedro, and the humorous pictures wero highly appreciated, and the Fnan-co-British Exhibition was cleverly displayed. The programme will be repeated this evening, and on Thursday a change will be made. "THE LITTLE BREAD WINNER." Messrs Meynell and Gu'nn's Dramatic Company, under the direction of Mr Allan Hamilton, will open a season in Christchurch on August 7, when a domestio drama by H. C. Campbell, entitled "The Littlo Bread Winner," will be produced for the first time. The play has had a remarkably successful run in Australia. The machinations of the unscrupulous secretary of a Quaker Earl, which bring about a series of misfortunes to the earl's daughter and grandchild, are the main features of j the plot. The children in the piece, Misses Queenie Williams and Maggie Dickinson, are the good fairies of the story, and their success in Melbourne recently is said to have b.een excepti' lal. xhe Little Bread Winner " Company also includes Miss Beatrice Holloway, the .clever Australian actress, and Mr C. R. Stanford, who is well known here. The piece will be produced for four nights, and will be followed by Arthur Shirley's successful play "The Step-mother," and the two final nights of the season will be devoted to a revival of " The Fatal Wedding." Tho box plan is at the Dresden. MACMAHON'S PICTURES. Messrs MacMahon, who, since they were last in Christchurch, have had a remarkably successful tour throughout the dominion with what are described as their " Exquisite Living Pictures," will commence a season in His Majesty's Theatro on Monday evening. It is stated that every item will bo new and of a distinctly novel and interesting character. The management is constantly in touch with the sources in Europe of the ever-increasing developments of the - cineinatograph^'^sTjirid" has secured now films, embracing m^ny subjects. The mechanical and electrical appliances possessed by the management have won special praise for the perfect manner of the presentation of the pictures. There will be two matinees during the Grand National week.