THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 125, 2 July 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

GLOBE THEATRE. So far this week there have been very large audiences present at all the sessions, and the new programme screened to-day should have no difficulty in maintaining that liberal patronage. In the forefront of the series is a thrilling Mexican love story tragedy, as shown in "The Mexican's Gratitude." This film contains exciting episodes in abundance, and has the extra attraction of having been splendidly photographed. "The Master Painter" is another drama of a somewhat different character, but it is nevertheless a most pleasing production, gaining in pathos and sentiment what it* loses in sensation. A very interesting number of the * i Pathe Gazette" supplies topical news of a varied nature, while the programme is completed by a film setting forth a vaudeville act, "Russian Dances," and three refreshing comedies, "The Widow's Lovers," "Jolly Boy's Dream," and "The Confiscated Count." THE COLOSSEUM. There was another large audience present last evening when the current programme was once more" presented with eminent success. "The Curse of War," the star film, is a Pathe production which should equal any that have ljeen shown in Christchurch for some time. The photography is nothing short of perfect, while the acting leaves little to be desired., One of W. W. Jacobs's breezy yarns provides material for a most refreshing comedy in ♦'Lawyer Quince," and the production has deservedly met with great favour. From an educational standpoint a series of pictures showing -recent developments in connection with the Panama Canal are unequalled, and they are also well received. Other films showing are ' 4 Gaumont Graphic," topical; "Visit to the Spider," educational; "Guilty or Not Guilty," drama; and "The Family Skeleton,' ' comedy. The programme will be repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. A programme of general excellence has been- instrumental in attracting large . audiences to His Majesty 's this week; "Love's Sunset," the star drama, being a film which pourtrays the tragic history of a cabaret in a fascinating manner. '' The Film • Johnnie,'' a highly satisfactory comedy which finds a' place on the programme also conies In for a good deal of attention. An actor somewhat new to lovers of the "movies" as yet appears / in the title role. He is one Edgar English, and. if he can appear tconsistently to such advantage as he does in this production his name will soon be a byword among patrons, of the" picture theatre. Other supporting pictur.es shown are "A Dangerous Case," comedy; "The Blue Danube," scenic; "Pathe Gazette," topical; "The Higher Law," drama; "Works at Longwy,' educational; and "The Telltale Star," drama. The same! programme will be screened again this evening. OPERA HOUSE. An exceptionally attractive vaudeville programme is being presented at the Opera House this week, with the result that public patronage has been liberal to a degree. A thrilling' turn is that provided by the Four Casting X»amysj aerial gymnasts, whose performance is nothing short of brilliant. Bailey's posing dogs also are living monuments of canine intelligence, and the fruits of human patience in the matter of training. Signor Rellimi, with his- giant concertina, puts on a turn both novel and interesting, and well deserves the enthusiastic reception wMch he receives. Le Witte and the various other artists appearing are also «juite successful in their turns, and the programme is one which should not be missed. •. The same fare will be provided this -evening, while the usual matinee performance is announced for Saturday- , SYDENHAM PICTURES. Last evening at the Sydenham Picture Theatre, the current programme •was screened finally before a large and appreciative audience, and for to-night a new series is promised. This programme will consist of: —"The Curse of War," Pathe colour; "Guilty or Not Cruilty," drama; "The Gaumont Crraphic," topical; "A Visit to the Spider," educational; "The Family Skeleton," comedy; "Lawyer Quince," comedy; and "The Panama Canal," ' educational. OLYMPIA RINK. Each and every session at the Olympia Skating Rink sees skaters participating in large numbers in an indoor pastime which it would be difficult to equal for attractiveness. The conditions at the rink are of the best, and the evening sessions have an additional attraction in the splendid music provided. The usual sessions will be observed this evening and throughout tomorrow. "THE AWAKENING." , That' enterprising : and enthusiastic I»and of amateur players, the Julius Knight Dramatic Club, will produce Haddon Chambers's fine play, "The Awakening," at the Theatre Royal for the first time to-night. It is not often that we have the opportunity of witnessing drama. of such quality as Haddon Chambers's work, and the fact that the members of the Dramatic Club have proved their ability before Christchurch audiences, and are keen students very much in earnest in their desire to give adequate expression to the characters and scenes of the play, makes it certain that their rendering of good drama will be an interesting and worthy performance. '' The Awakening" will be played to^omorrow-night also. "THE ROSARY." Lots of pople have been talking about "The Rosary'' as though it were a religious play. It is not, and there is plenty of good comedy right through it. Of course, it is like the book, '' Father Kelly of the Rosary," for the simple reason that the book was written 0:1 the play, not, as is usually the case, when the play is a dramatisation of the book. It is a pretty story of home life and the skeleton that crept in and made trouble in the happy home, which, for the time, becomes desolated. But everything is made right and happy through the good offices of Father Kelly, who is a friend of everybody and always turns up whenever anyone is in trouble, and not only comes 011 the scene, but has the happy knack and facility of purpose to cause him fb render assistance and good advice-to all, no matter whether it be the heroine, the hero, or a burglar, one of whom he catches robbing himself. Instead of handing him over to the police he gives him some jaoney, gets him work, and makes an

honest man of liim\ The comedy right through the piece is more than humorous, and is very entertaining. It will be staged on Saturday night next, the 4th inst., at the Theatre Royal, for seven nights only, and the box plans are at the Dresden.