THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 56, 13 April 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

» "ALADDIN."

A "pantomime extravaganza" on the mere appearance of the words suggests a form of entertainment rather hard to define. So far as these words apply to '' Aladdin,'' theyXmean something more than an evening of jolly g° 0( l fun. The producer of the piece has a surety of touch and an eye for colour that would have made an infinitely worse caste pleasing, and even an average vaudeville programme bearable. The main feature of the piece is the splendour of the colouring, the bankingof colour upon colour, the sharp contrast, the careful gradations of colour tone, the artist's certainty that each colour should have its value, and that all colours should have their merit. The ballets are quite good. The members have been carefully chosen, each, it would seem, for individual merit, and nearly all can dance. There is much praise clue to Miss Bertha Busch, who trained: them. The chorus, too, fulfils

its duty so as to please the people, though a rather unusual lack of male choristers makes its balance a trifle uncertain and its tone at times rather thin. To deal adequately with the scenery, it would -be necessary to go over each set, and as there are eleven of them, that is clearly impossible. Each is bright, clean and interesting/ The seventh scene of the, first act, the "ragtime revue," cannot be grouped with the rest. Cliristchurch has never before had a theatre company march along a raised alleyway above the stalls, the whole length of the theatre, a spotlight from above meeting the glow of the myriad rosy lamps that light the passing feet. Always to the syncopated run and threshing rattle of ragtime rhythm. Meanwhile, on the stage, Miss Margot Maurice and Mr Fred Oswald are dancing —dancing tirelessly, with easy, chosen gestures and a wealth of practised movement. Never mind the story of "Aladdin." Everyone knows, the tale of his lamp. The present version is a trifle more ornate and a good deal more intricate than most others, and it differs from them all in that it adds a humour Haroun-al-Raschid never suspected when he heard the talc told in a meeting place in old Bagdad. In pantomime extravaganza the tale is emphatically not the thing. The "thing" is the caste. Miss Grace Palotta has ease, skill, personality, superb ; control of gesture, and a laugh that is absolutely her own. Long ago somebody called it .7, carillon; the phrase has not yet been improved upon by the many who have tried. Prom the fleshings of the part of Koko slie has nothing to fear; she has seldom looked better than she looks in the splendid blue, of'/in the black and silver, hose and doublet which are hers in, the later scenes,. Miss Carrie Moore has all the artifice that goes to make a success of a Principal Boy, and has at her command each trick of vaudeville. She was successful last night; if at times it did appear she was not in good voice. A heavy cold should explain this. Undoubtedly these two make the best pair of "boys" pantomime has given Christchurch for some time. Abanazar was played cleverly by Mr Percy Clifton, a comedian who seldom did the obA ious, and usually managed to raise a laugh. The Jumper or, Mr IJo3 r .Hastings, was not overburdened with work, but made the most of such as came his- way. The Widow Twankey, Mr Edward Stanley,

j was really an estimable dame, looking I the part/ speaking the part, and making his "business" fit in without interfering' with the others. John Opp land Opp, the policemen, played by the Mullaney Twins, were bright as bright could be whenever their parts allowed them. '.They are excellent stepdancers, can sing a good song, and do knock- | about stunts apparently without end. Biddy, a suffragette, although in its | way a minor part, was made by tlio bulky presence and queer rig of Mr Joe Lauphier to have considerable prominence. The Princess Badroulbadour (Miss Nellie Batclielor), Ghee Kee, her ward (Miss Nellie Fallon), Oh Stop It, a messenger boy (Miss Flossie Carey), were all brightly taken and each helped the show along. Teddy, the donkey, Mr Joe Morris, was a clever animal impersonation, and got many a laugh. Mr Ernest Shand's study of a monkey suffered because he made the beast scratch itself too persistently and indulge in over : frequent and horribly successful •searches for edible parasites upon itself and all others within reach. This business might well be curtailed —even a laugh is dear at the price of eras:', vulgarity. The lesser parts deserve praise, and may share that which bar; been given to chorus and ballet.

Much can be said for the introduced acts and musical numbers. The Dame's voice fs an amazing thing, a true voice and,a falsetto tangled so that he sometimes, and the audiepce never, know which it is to be. On Saturday night it went well whenever he chanced it. Miss Grace Palotta made good in each number, notably in "Where do they go when the Band Stops Playing?" and the whistling song. Miss Carrie Moore struck best in the "Trail of the Lonesome Pine," sung with the aid of a male quartet stationed in the dress circle, and in "The Mississippi," Avith chorus and extremely clever effects of a river steamer passing. Other members of the company sang well enough, though now and then it was problematical whether the words could be made out or not. The dancing, particularly the solo dancing of Miss Ivy Moore Avas throughout surprisingly good and always interesting. The turn of Leon Morris and his wrestling ponies anil huge smiling negro, John Hedge, was as unusual as it was pleasing. The ponies themseh'es played although they understood and appreciatedthe humour of it all; and, judging by the clatter with which he fell they must have to renew the nigger frequently. Morris and Shand and Little Marjoiie are tumblers of the highest order. Their work is very crisp and iv each case finished. The child is a boneless wonder and more than bears he? share of the burden of a heavy turn. The Eoval Midget Troupe of child gymnasts, physical experts, and balancers, would be starred upon ary programme.

People Avho like well-dressed, we'lstaged sliOAvs, in which there is mup»e, good dressing, and no idle momevVs, Avill enjoy "Aladdin."

SYDENHAM PICTURES. There was a crowded house at the Sydenham Picture Theatre on Saturday evening, when the current programme was shown for the last time. This afternoon an entirely new programme was screened before a large and appreciative audience, the chief attraction being a powerful drama, "The Last Generation." Tn the production of this film the full strength of the Vitagraph Company was employed, and the acting is of a high

standard throughout. The story told is , that of the battle of two men of differ- | ent generations for mental supremacy, t A certain man stood pre-eminent as the ! designer of mighty ocean liners, when he ! was threatened to be outclassed by his i nephew. The elder man designed a i great sea-going vessel, in the plans of which the nephew detects various flaws. The jealousy of the older man, however, prevents him from acknowledging his I fault, and the ship is built and sent to I sea in spite of the younger designer's protestations to the owners that she will never see the end of her first voyage. His fears were found to be correct, for the vessel foundered in mid-ocean. Supporting films screened were "A Bacchanalian Dance,' •' successfully presented here by Genee; "Grenoble to Aix-les-Bains"' scenic; •' The Great Steel Beam," drama; "John Bunny for the Cause," comedy; •' Anguished Hearts,'' child drama; '' Max Under and a Daughter of Albion," comedy; " Sieillian Cities," scenic; and the latest Pathe Gazette. The pro-* gramme is one of general excellence, and will l:e screened again this evening.

K G MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An excellent picture-play, "The Next Gencrnt-cn," is the star item on the new programme at His Majesty's Theatre, presented for the first itime at a matinee this afternoon. The picture is concerned with a rivalry of intellect between uncle and nephew, both ship designers. The uncle has designed a mammoth liner, but the nephew points out defects and prophesies that the ship will never reach the end of her first voyage. The uncle, hOAvever, full of conviction in his own ability and jealous of his nephew, proceeds with the vessel according to his design. The prophesy comes true, and the great vessel founders in a scene of striking realism. This picture is one of the greatest productions of the kinematograph, and in its performance over 100 actors are employed, included amongst them being such notabilities as j Edith Storey, Lee Delaney, Tefft JohnI son, and John Morey. Other fine picj tures that support this star drama are: |"A Bacchanalian Dance," a specialty which was introduced in Christehurch by Genee; "Grenoble to Aix-les-Bains," Pathe colour; "The Great Steel Beam," ! drama; "John Bunny for the Cause," j comedy; "Anguished Hearts," drama; ' 1 Max Linder and a Daughter Of Albion, '' comedy; '' Sicilian Cities,'' scenic; and the latest Pathe Gazette. His Majesty's orchestra Avill accompany all screenings.

COLOSSEUM. The Colosseum is this week reviving that magnificent and ever-popular spectacular drama, "The Last Days of Pompeii,'' and it is safe to say that a bigger attraction could not. be chosen. The great picture attracted crowded houses continually when it was last shown here, and therefore everyone is familiar with the story of the picture even though they may not be acquainted with Bulwer Lytton's novel on which it is based. The setting of this tragedy of the ancient Roman pleasure city is magnificent—old Rome and Roman customs being reproduced with marvellous fidelity. The numerous striking situations that make the story, culminating in the destruction of the city in the erruption of Vesuvius, make this one of the most notable of all the dramas reproduced by the kinematograph. But besides the human interest of the drama it has the further value of presenting a careful and adequate reconstruction of the life led in Rome 2000 years ago, eveu to the minutest detail

of clothes. Antiquarian research has been availed of to the fullest extent in staging "The Last Days of Pompeii," so that it can be truly said to have educational and historical value. Speciallyarranged music by the Colosseum Orchestra, under Herr Zimmerman, accompanies the production, and seats for any evening may be reserved at the Dresden.

OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House is presenting a programme of more thato usual excellence this week. A special matinee performance was given this afternoon, and a large audience enjoyed the innumerable good things provided. Brent Hayes gives one of the best performances on the banjo that it is possible to hear. He gets genuine music from the instrument, which he handles with so much musicianly skill. The three Luxors are novelty instrumentalists and bell ringers, who produce music from all sorts of instruments, and make one of the best turns in this particular specialty that has been seen here for a long while. Foster, Lamont, and Foster are a trio of line acrobats who perform feats of strength and agility rather out of the ordinary. They are described as the "iron-jawed acrobats," and certainly deserve the name. Captain Brunswick and his picturesque company continue to present the humorous sketch, "A Tenderfoot's Troubles," in which is introduced some very clever sharp-shoot-ing and lariat throwing. The pertlyvivacious Millie Doris displays her vivacity in several songs that win her merited applause. The black-face comedians, Cunningham and Eose, unloose a big budget of jokes on audiences that evidently appreciate the jokes and the manner of their delivery. Tom Leonard, the grotesque comedian, continues his song grotesqueries, and there are others, the Strattons, the Phillip Sisters, Knowles and Lee, and "Carlton and Sutton, all with their specialty of song or dance, patter and burlesque, and altogether they make up a iirstclass vaudeville programme.

GRAND THEATRE. The Grand Theatre is providing something special in the way of an Easter attraction in the programme which was screened for the first time to-day. The leading picture is one of the masterpieces of the Selig firm, noted for its clever introduction of wild beasts to make the sensational incidents of its pictures. "In the Jungle" is a thrilling series of adventures in which Miss Kathlyn Williams is featured. The plot of the drama is consecutive and is put together convincingly, but what makes the main attraction of this biggest Selig production is the number of narrow escapes from ferocious animals. The girl is lost in the jungle and undergoes all sorts of sensational adventures, fs chased by lions, attacked by crocodiles, and is saved through a panther. One of the most exciting incidents in the picture is a fight to the death between a panther and a hyliena. The supporting pictures are equally good in their class. The "Eclair .Journal" contains the usual topical variety, "Industries and Life in Natal " is a combination of travel and industrial film which combines the interest of both. "Broncho Billy's Secret " is a film continuing the popular Broncho Billy series, and there is plenty of laughter in the Keystone comedy, "Their Husbands." The programme will be run continuously until further notice.

GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme at the Glob©

Theatre was shown finally 011 Saturday, and to-day a line new series of pictures has been attracting much favourable attention, The programme is headed by an exciting drama, "The Shadow of Guilt," a film full of unique situations and hairbreadth escapes. A supporting drama which is also being well received is "The King's Man," a Yitagraph production. An excellent number of the "Warwick Chronicle" supplies topical news, while to complete the programme t,wo most laughable comedies are screened in "Tomboy Bess," and "The Family Next Door."