THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

REVELRY ON ROLLERS. CABNIVAL AT OLYMPIA. There was plenty of colour and Variety at the Olympia Skating Rink last night when the second' carnival of the season was held, and there was as much grace - and agility. Though some showed up as inferior to other strikingly proficient skaters, there was not one on the floor who was not perfectly at home on the rollers. The feminine part of the motley throng showed out as greatly superior to the majority of\the males, possibly because they have more time to practise, or maybe because they have more natural grace. Anyway, the skating as a whole was good, and was as much enjoyed by the spectators as an exhibition of the graceful art as by the exponents. The costumes and "make-ups" of the many revellers were bright and gay, even if not strikingly ingenious or original in most cases. Yet there were many good costumes nevertheless,

especially amongst those advertising different firms. There was a weird assortment —tramps, rags and tatters, soldiers of all sorts, from an hussar to a very grotesque "Tommy," John Bulls (two of them), jockeys and huntsmen, an organ grinder, a very affecting caricature of a sleepless father and infant, a most enticing witch, a teddy-bear, and a monkey, everyone in fact, including such old acquaintances as pierrot, pierrette, and Mephi stopheles. Several competitions were held during the night, and some most graceful exhibitions were given. The results of the various competitions are as follow:—

- Two-step, ladies, Miss Gladys Hill; two-step, men, Mr J. F. Sullivan; twostep, couples, Miss Thornton and Mr Spencer; best fancy dress, ladies, Miss Gladys Hill ("white witch"); men, Mr Higgs ("Dresden China"); best poster dress, ladies, Miss Hannah (Turnbull and Jones); men, Mr Hiddle (Dunlop tyres); most comical character, Mr Isles (the rooster). HIS MAJESTY'S. Miss Mary Pickford, the talented young photo-drama player, has achieved another triumph in the ro-

mantic feature film, "Hearts Adrift," now appearing nightly at His Majesty's Theatre. The plot deals with strange happenings on a desert island, and some very fine scenic effects are introduced. Amongst other subjects are "Off to the Front," a special film of paramount interest at this time, showing stirring military scenes in Wellington; and "Britain's Defenders," showing the steel walls of Old England. The usual matinee is billed for Saturday, and the programme will be repeated to-night.

OPERA HOUSE. The strong company holding the boards at the Opera House this week pleased another holiday audience last evening, the entertainment being a conspicuous success. All the performers appeared to distinct advantage, and the programme is one that should not be missed. The New York Comedy Four scored well, as did Crotten and Kremka, and the Jackowlew Trio, while there was not a weak item throughout, and encores were loudly demanded. The programme will be repeated tonight, and a special matinee is announced for Saturday. The popular comedienne of "Come Over Here" fame, Miss Daisy Jerome, is to open a short season on August 24. The box

plans will open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's on the 17th ins't. To-morrow night a special cycling contest is to take place between A. Bonis and Phil. O'Shea. COLOSSEUM. A holiday audience attended the Colosseum last evening, when "The Black Triangle," a stirring detective drama, was again the star attraction of the excellent programme showing this week. The exciting episodes set forth in connection with the disappearance of a banker's daughter and her detention by a gang of crooks, together with her ultimate release owing to the endeavours of a private detective, make a highly interesting story. The supporting pictures are a splendid series, and the programme will be repeated this evening and at a matinee performance to-morrow.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. A large holiday audience attended the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening, when "The Black Triangle," a highly exciting detective drama, proved the star attraction. The story told in this production is of the kidnapping of a banker's daughter by "The Black Triangle," a triumvirate of crooks. After many thrilling experiences the girl is rescued by a clever private detective. The supporting pictures shown are '' Off to the Front,'' showing military preparations in Wellington; "Pathe Gazette," topical; "A Storm on the Welsh Coast," scenic; "Evolution of London Traffic," educational; "Her Awakening," drama; and "The Fatal Dress Suit," comedy. The programme will be repeated this evening and at a matinee performance tomorrow.

GLOBE PICTURES. The current programme at the Globe Theatre contains many fine pictures, starred by an Edison drama, "The Coward and the Man." This production tells how a man in search of employment was insulted by a company promoter, and, retaliating, was sentenced to imprisonment for assault. The company promoter floated a bogus company, and one of his victims was a widow who was ruined in the venture. Shortly after being released, subsequent to his having saved his warder's life, the man met the widow. They discovered that they had a mutual enemy and devised a plan whereby all the money fraudulently obtained was returned to its rightful owner. The supporting films are "A Deal in Oil," comedy; "The Children's Hour," drama; "Gaumont Graphic," topical; "Forced to be Stylish," comedy; "Reaping the Whirlwind," comedy; and "The Battleships of Britain," and "Off to the Front," the latter showing a section of the Expeditionary Force in Wellington. The programme will be screened again this evening and throughout to-morrow.

•' THE ARG-YLE CASE. '' "The Argyle Case," which will be presented by the J. C. Williamson Company at the Theatre Royal on Monday, has been happily described by an Auckland contemporary as " a typical American drama seriously presented on comedy lines." This, of course, is equivalent to saying that it embodies both the elements of comedy and of tragedy. i The story is an intensely interesting one, not the least striking features being the exposition of detective methods embodied in the use of the dictograph, and the exploitation of the finger-print system. The dictograph used in the play is a genuine one, and is an exact replica of the one used by Detective Burns in sheeting home the charges against the notorious Los Angeles criminals. The Company includes a number of old favourites, among whom is Miss Maggie Moore, Mr Arthur Styau, and Miss Gertrude Boswell, whilst among the stars who are making a first appearance here arc Mr Charles A. Milhvard, Mr William Harrigan, and Miss Sylvia Bremer. The box plan is open at Milner and Thompson's.