THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 167, 20 August 1914, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

THEATRE ROYAL. At the Theatre Royal last night '' The Argyle Case'' was presented finally before a large and appreciative audience. To-night the second attraction of the J. C. Williamson Company's short season will be presented in "Ready Money," a bright and breezy American comedy from the pen of Sir James Montgomery. It touches in lighter vein on the psychology of high finance, and might well be compared to that other sparkling comedr, "Get Rich Quick Wallingford." The interpretation will be by the full strength of the new Williamson Company, including Chas. A. MillwartL Wm. Harrigan, Geo. Bryant, Arthur Styan, Robert Whyte, jun., and Miss Gertrude Boswell, Miss Sylvia Bremer, Miss Nellie Bramley, Miss Stella Payter, and Miss Maggie Moore. Box plans are open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. COLOSSEUM. "His Guiding Star," the feature drama of the current programme at the Colosseum, is a splendid Patheeolour production of the best type. A very fine series of supporting pictures includes "Belgian Cavalry at Military Gymnastics" and "Twenty Minutes of Love,'"' featuring Edgar English, one of the best of Keystone's capable artists. The programme will be screened again this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. "When Iron and Steel Meet," the big dramatic special, pleased another large audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Two of the best of the supporting pictures are "Boys of the Bulldog*.Breed,">which needs, no explanation, and "Mabel's Nerve," a iplendid Keystone comedy. The patristic gong, "Sons of New Zealand," continues to be sung nightly. Th« programme will be repeated this evening. OPERA HOUSE. j A large audienee enjoyed the splendid vaudeville programme presented at the Opera House last evening, the Chipola Twins with their bear, the Jaekowlew Trio of Russian dancers, and Lorraine, and the various other members of the company being accorded a hearty reception. Mr A. L. Cropp was also well received for his singing of the patriotic song, "Sons of New Zealand." The programme will be repeated this evening, and the usual matinee is announced for Saturday. Miss Daisy Jerome opens her season on Monday next, for which box plans are now open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's. OLYMPIA RISTK. The Olympia Rink was as usual largely attended last night, and there have been many patrons at the various sessions to-day. The usual hours are being observed. , GLOBE PICTURES. - The ?:euasei^'programme at the Globe Picture was screened finally before 'a large audience last evening, and to-day-a' ! new 'Series has been showing most 'gtieeessfnHy. The star drama is "A Doll Pot Baby,'' a production %ipported by the following fine pictures:— ''Stepbrothers," drama; "The Snail,"

educational; "Beauty in a Seashell," "The Fickle Freak," and "The Somnambulist," comedies; and "The "Gaumont Graphic," topical. The progra»me will be screened this evening and throughout to-morrow. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience last evening, and to-night a new series is to be presented. The principal drama will be "His .Guiding Star," winch will be strongly supported by the pictures, "Italian Love," comedy; "Pathe Gazette," topical; "Marseilles to Port Said," scenic; "Resurrection of Caleb Worth," drama; and "Timing Cupid" and "Twenty Minutes of Love," comedies. HARRY LAUDER. Within the last few days the general topic of conversation has been the coming of Harry Lander, and on Monday morning at 9 o'clock the box plan will be opened at the Dresden. Ever since the opening night in Melbourne, when a record house was established, the booking of seats for the Harry Lauder performances has caused quite a stir in the towns and cities he has visited. Many amusing incidents have occurred resulting from excitability of some of the intending patrons, but there have been other incidents with which the management have had to cope—the purchasing of large numbers of tickets by speculators who attempt to extort from the public twice and sometimes three times the price of admission. This was firmly put a stop to by the management, who protect the public, by limiting the number of tickets sold to any one person, and thus ensuring an equal chance of obtaining seats. Applications for seats from country patrons are equitably dealt with and should leave no room for complaint. Everything will be done to facilitate the which is expected, and attention is drawn to the advertisement which appears in this issue.