THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 155, 6 August 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

THE PANTOMIME. From "the good old top shelf, "as Ali says, to the front stalls, there was , not a vacant seat in the Theatre Royal ijlast night. What was even more important, everyone in the audience was .enthusiastic, and the encores were many. The work of the three Rubes was loudly Applauded, and these clever dancers and acrobats were brought back time and »gain. The ballet of Australia's pro•lticts is without doubt one of the bestStaged scenes we have had in Christchurch with any pantomime. The finale to the dance was loudly applauded, and the\ tableau was encored until the curtain went up again. Last night the "whoops" competition was most enthusiastically revived, and the audience,,' after a little encouragement, joined in; the chorus as long as the music lasted,. The naval ballet was perhaps one of the most popular items of the performance, and'it deserved to be, for the girls were well dressed and well trained'; Their cutlass drill and marching appealed to the house, and they Vere encored twice. This is perhaps one of the first pantomimes that could be truly said to be interesting from start to finish. There is something happening all the time, and the series of solo dances, ballets, songs, and tableaux is well sustained throughout the evening. The patriotic sense of the audience was aroused when the "Drums of all Nations" ballet made its appearance. The French troupe received prolonged cheers, but the Austrian and ©etman squads canie and went unapplaluded. There was no lack of enthusiasm when the British Drums came down •tage and saluted, and the whole performance closed with the singing of "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the King; 1 " the whole audience standing the while. " Someone from the gallery called for "three cheers and they were given. Hie pantomime, with its songs and ballets, its clever patter, and effective . scenery will be staged again this even*t. ' ;. H HIS MAJESTY'S. "The Lure of London" again proved the ttiain attraction of the current pro--fpramme at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. It is an excellent production, telling a highly interesting story by »eans of capable acting and superb -photography. There is a fine series of importing pictures, comprising the *'iGaumont Graphic," topical; "Studies •f Bird Life," Nature study; "Visions •f Rome," scenic; "His First Love," dJ&ma; and "The Joy Ride," comedy. The programme will "be repeated this •Vening, while the usual matinee per--forroance is announced for Saturday. COLOSSEUM. «> The Golden Beetle,'' the sensational Anglo-Indian drama which is the •tar attraction of the current prograxnme at the Colosseum, again attracted a large audience last evening. Stirring episodes abound, the story told being most captivating. Pictures •f. the French fleet are a feature of the 4 'Pathe Gazette" shown, while other .splendid supporting films are "A Real English Winter"; "The Nurse and the Counterfeiter," drama; "Construction of a Lifeboat," educational; and

"Simple Simon and the Dromedary" and '' The Whirlwind Kids,'' comedies. The series will be screened again this evening, and the usual matinee performance is announced for Saturday. OPERA HOUSE. Another large and appreciative audience attended the Opera House last evening, when the current programme proved most attractive. Crotten and Skremka; Fred. Smith, "The Musical Nut," and the New York Comedy Four present the star turns, but the whoje company does not contain a single weak performer, and all the items are most pleasing. The programme will be repeated this evening, and the usual matinee performance is announced for Saturday,, while the management also announces the coining on August 24 of Miss Daisy .lerome, the popular comedienne who achieved such success in the '' Come Over Here'' revue. GLOBE PICTURES. The current programme at the Globe Theatre was screened fiually last evening before a large and appreciative audience, and the new series of films showing to-day has also been well received. In the forefront is a splendid drama, "A Cabaret Dancer," which tells an interesting story and is capably .acted and well photographed. Excellent supporting pictures are "The Gaumont Graphic," topical; "A Muddy Romance," comedy; "The Dancer and the Fairy," drama; and "Where the Monsoon Blows," scenic. The series will be screened again this evening and throughout to-morrow. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre was screened finally before a large and appreciative audience last evening, and a new series will be presented to-night headed by a sensational Anglo-Indian drama entitled "The Golden Beetlo." The supporting pictures will comprise "A Real English Winter"; "The Nurse and t'»: Counterfeiter," drama;; "Construction of a Lifeboat," educational; and "Simple Simon and the Dromedary" i;nd "The Whirlwind Kids," comedies. OLYMPIA RINK. There have been attendance* at all sessions at the Olympia Rink lately, where every facility is offered for healthy enjoyment. A special attraction is announced for August 13, in the form of a fancy and poster oarnival.