AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10196, 4 July 1911, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

OPER A HOUSE. In spite of the numerous counterattractions. there was a large audience at the Opera House last evening to witness the change of programme presented by Fuller's Vaudeville. Company. A number of artists made their first appearance, the best of whom was probably Master Hughie Selhvood, a boy with a remarkable aoprano voice, which he used to full advantage, and which earned for him tho hearty applause ot the audience. Tho Rhodosburgs, two patter comedians, gave a turn which was evidently to the satisfaction of the audience and which was appreciatively recoived. Tho Tybclls proved themselves to be acrobats of no mean order, and gave a really wonderful exhibition of trapeze and other acrobatic work. The rest of the company were well received aud made up a very interesting and well-diversified programme. Tonight a novelty will be introduced in the shape of an "amateur trial night-'' when balladists, aerios, sketch artists and comic song singers who aspire to the vaudeville stage will be given the opportunity to make their debut. FULLER'S PICTURES. Notwithstanding strong counter-at-tractions, change of pictures at the Colosseum . last evening attracted a crowded house., aud all the films were appreciatively received. They covered some very instructive subjects, such as " Mushroom-growing," an art not specialised on in New Zealand; "The Cinematograph in Africa,'' a fine travel film ; " 111 and Around Jerusalem," a cleverly-handled subject of gre-ii interest historically; ''The Snail," a biological study; and ""Who's Wlm at the Zoo," a subject of interest equally to adults ancl children. "The Warwick Chronicle'' added largely to the success of the programme with a pictorial representation of sundry world's happenings. " A Byzantine Tragedy" was very well staged and mounted: and "Actress and Singer" was almost equally successful in the dramatic line. Many humorous films helped to make the programme thoroughly enjoyable. The programme will be repeated this evening.

WKST-HAY\V AIID PICTURES. The inclusion of some really first-class films in the " all new " programme ot' Hay ward's Picturo .Enterprises at His Majesty's Theatre last evening brought tho pictures well above the average, and the large audience was very wholesomely entertained for a full two hours. " Between Two Fires." a drama of the Franco-Prussian war, introducing a charming love-story with the usual happy ending, was the first picture of conspicuous merit, but it was surpassed hy " An Idyll of the Eighteenth Century,*" a magnificently-staged coloured film, telling of the rivalry in love of three nobles, and introducing very faithfully the dress of the period. " Unveiling the Queen Victoria Monument" was a film of topical interest, as it clearly showed a number of Royal celebrities, including the King and the Kaiser. "Water Lilies" was a pretty fancy in lore-stories, and " The Sisters," a bioscope film, was another very appealing little drama. Travel pictures were not lacking, the " Pat-h-e Gazette" supplying a variety of topical subjects, while " ! The Rome Exhibition" gave an idea of the magnitude of the buildings that are being erfcfctw.l for the big event. There were also several very good humorous films. The programme will bo repeated this evening. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The Sydenham Pictures were well patronised last night, and the programme wet with marks of approval. Tho star film' " Life in the Australian Bush." and the scenic, dramatic and comic numbers made up a very enjoyable programme. The final showing of the Australian picture will take place to-night, and a new programme will bo shown to-morrow.