THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 150, 31 July 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

COLOSSEUM. "Protea the Second," an intensely interesting criminal investigation drama, is the star attraction in the current programme at the Colosseum. '' The Chicken Chaser " is an excellent Keystone comedy, while other supporting pictures go to make up a very fine programme which will be repeated this evening, at a matinee performance to-morrow, and finally to-morrow evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. The current programme at His Majesty's Theatre continues to attract large audiences nightly. '' Marvels of Nature" is the star film, a production which shows various beasts of the Indian jungle in their native haunts, while a Keystone comedy, "When Hazel met the Villain," is only one of a fine series of supporting pictures. The programme will be repeated this evening and at a matinee performance tomorrow.

OP£RA HOUSE. The Opera House was largely attended again last evening when the current programme was repeated most successfully. Each and every artist appeared to advantage, and the performance went with zest from beginning to end. The same programme will be presented this evening and at a matinee performance tomorrow. The management announces that Miss Daisy Jerome, the popular comedienne, will appear for a brief season shortly. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The change of programme presented at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening was successful in entertaining a large audience. In the forefront of the series is "Protea the Second," a very fine criminal investigation drama, with a well-marked streak of comedy. It is one of the finest films of this class that has ever been shown in Christchurch, and contains exciting incidents in abundance. '' The Chicken Chaser" is a close rival for popularity, being a Keystone comedy, which is a sure recipe for laughter. Other pictures of the series are "The Pathe Gazette," topical;

"How God (Jame to Sonny/' drama; and ' 1 Dynamite as an Aid to Agriculture," industrial. The programme will be screened again this evening and at a matinee performance to-morrow. * GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme at the Globe Theatre is made up of a fine series of pictures. '' The Prince,'' a Lubin drama, is one of the best productions. It tells of how, in order„to keep his wife, a lady in society, John Wakefield was driven to robbery. Wakefield was the proprietor of a gold mine which unexpectedly failed and he was left on the verge of financial ruin. Fearing to tell his wife of the trouble which had overtaken him, he committed various thefts in order to supply her with the money she constantly demanded. In fear of detection in his home town, he left for another city, continuing his pilfering in order to maintain his wife. In his absenee word came that the dispaired-of gold mine had proved most valuable, and the wife -set out to carry the glad news to Iter husband in the distant town. The hotel at which she stayed the night was broken into, and in shooting the burglar who entered her room the unfortunate, woman

killed her husband. "The Way to Happiness '' and '' The Bear Hunter'' are the other dramas on the programme, while the series is completed by the screening of an interesting number of the '' Gaumont Graphic" and three comedies, "What a Lark!" "He and She," and '' The Speed Kings,'' a Keystone production. The programme will be repeated to-day and throughout to-morrow. OLYMPIA RINK. There have been very large attendances at the various sessions at the Olympia Rink lately, the popularity of roller skating having lessened not a whit. The same hours will be observed this evening and to-morrow. The Olympia Band is in attendance at all the evening and Saturday afternoon sessions. THE SMART SET. Mr Edward Branscombe's clever company of drawing-room entertainers, "The Smart Set," brought a successful season to a close last evening, when the Theatre Royal was largely attended by a highly appreciative audience. All the members of the company scored exceptionally well, being received enthusiastically. The musical comedy presented, "The Bandits," gave each, one of the performers a chance to do his or her best work, and no one could possibly be 'disappointed with the result. Mr Harry de Robeck was as amusing as ever, as was Mr Gavin Wood in his own quiet way, while Miss Gwenyth Evans, Miss Lalla Knight, and Mr Ernest Parkes sang several songs in their usual pleasing manner. Mr Walter George and Miss Georgie Martin were also quite as successful as they have been at any time during the season, and Mr Edgar Hulland was also loudly applauded for his admirably executed piano soli. '«THE FORTY THIEVES.•' The box plans for "The.. Forty Thieves" pantomime season are now .open at Milner and Thompson 'a. The pantomime to be presented here to-mor-row evening at ten minutes to eight, is said to possess many striking and effective tableaux, conspicuous amongst ■ which is the much-discussed feature of "The Drums of all Nations." Prance, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, and Australia are represented in this brilliant pageant which is said to be the most, gorgeous and original of anything yet seen in pantomime. Another novel feature is introduced in the song, "I'd like to live in • Loveland, " sung by Miss Marie Eaton, in which tuned electric bells affixed. to posts in the stalls and dress circle accompany the singer. Of the ballets, probably the most pleasing will be found in the black and white dance, jthe prehistoric ballet, in which Mile. iGenee is admirably parodied by MiBarry Lupino; the graceful ballet of Australian products, and the daring Sesame ballet. There are many others features of interest —songs, marches, and tableaux of surprising beauty. The vaudeville portion is found in an amazing performance by "The Three Rubes," a team of American knockabout artists, who never fail to create a sensation. The music is af,firmed to be especially tuneful. The general impression appears to be that the latest version of "Ali Baba" will be superior to any previous competitor. There is a more than ordinary sufficiency of plot to make the story recognisable. The scenery is said to be particularly beautiful. The composer of the music has been no less successful. I The pantomime has been plentifully endowed wdtli much sparkling and tuneful music.