THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 207, 6 October 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. At the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening a new programme was screened most successfully, headed by '' Europe in Peace a.nd War,'' a series of pictures of various places of interest in Europe at the present time, and various pictures of soldiery and naval subjects. Supporting studies comprised '' The Gaumonti Graphic," topical; " 'Fraid Cat," comedy; "Trained Pets," animal study; '' The Gorges of >' Tarn,'' scenic; " Nancy's Husband," "Bridge Building of the French Army," "A Thousand Dollars Reward, '' and '' Andy Goes a-Pirating." The same programme will be presented this.evening.

THE COLOSSEUM. An excellent change programme < films was screened at the Colosseum lai night. Particularly interesting wj " The Pafhe Gazette, " which this wee shows some splendid topical war pi tures fromvEurppe. The chief study < the programme was one depicting tl national sport of the Mexicans—bul fighting. The views -were of an exci ing nature, and as bull after bull w* accounted for in the ring, some of tl excitement from the spectators in tl huge'amphitheatre was transferred i the audience, although one- could n< help thinking that a Society for .tl Prevention 6£ Cruelty to Anima •would be a good institution -in ths quarter from the poi'nt of view of tl bulls. A series of views of the recei farewell ceremony at Newtown Pari Wellington, and the embarkation of section of the Expeditionary Fore aroused considerable- enthusiasm, whi] a full.supporting programme was als screened most successfully.. One of th best of rthe supplementary pictures wa ' -.'' An { ' a Keyston comedy, which created much -diversioi The actors featuring seem -to be an ei tirely different cast from those of th Keystone Company who usually appea: but they should, soon be prime favou] ites, judging by their performance i • this splendid study." Other films show -were: ' ' Wire Chief's Reward/ y a Wesl era drama, with, a love-story 7 in it '' The Airlos and their Perf ormin Dogs," showing a very fine vaudevill turn; and "Franeine," a drama wit a strong vein of comedy. The pre gramme is well worth seeing, and it wil be presented again this evening, aceom panied by special orchestral selec tionsi There is nothing in_ which the publii is so-much (interested just now as th< war, and the Hayward • management quick to realise this, are this weel screening an. edition of "The Gaum on Graphic, V that- includes a series o: 'scenes connected with the Europeai crisis. The section showing the Armj manoeuvres, in which the_- Life Guard! and Highlanders figure prominently is a stirring scene, t the unisoi of the movements of the troops being flawless. In view -of*' the re cent cables .the" bomb dropping tactics of therOjmi'osing forces that portion' of the'film ttepiSting thi dropping of shells from aeroplanes ai Hendon possesses djaal Interest. Othei scenes in this's^ries'areV < 'Poincare'! Return from Russia/' "German, Pris ■ ' ■_! :

oners at Liege," "General French's Re eeptiori in Paris," and "The Naval Re servists' - Departure from Waterloo.' All these were received by the audience with enthusiasm, a perfect storm oi acclamation breaking out immediately the Belgian Civil Guard made their ap pearance. Among the rest of the pic tures comprising this series are a '' Stop the-War'' Meeting in Trafalgar Square and a view of the exterior of the Houses of Parliament, before whicli stand news-hungry crowds, awaiting the latest bulletins. - Another section thai stirs into action the patriotism thai dwells in the heart of every Britishei ls»the screening of the photos, of tli€ |. heroes of the Heligoland Bight. Othei j " Gaumont Graphic'' numbers arc j scenes showing the funeral of the viej tims of the Dublin tragedy and the Titauic Memorial to Commander Smith. An item that caused a good deal of amusement last night was a picture, entitled "Trained Pets," among the performers being a couple of parrots, a monkey, a cat, and a number of mice. Looking at the picture, one was almost persuaded that the millennium had come, when, we are told, "the lion shall lie down with the lamb." As a matter of fact, there were no lambs or lions, but the audience beheld the unusual spectacle of a cat parading up and down on a narrow ledge, on which crouched the above-mentioned .mice. Afterwards the animals were seen doing a merry-go-round act. The eat was reclining gracefully on one of the seats, a small dog was pulling the hirdy-girdy round, while the simian supplied the 'music per medium of a barrel organ. A pretty little story was unravelled in 11 »p r 'aid Cat,'' a Yitagraph drama, in which a very small boy played the leading- part. Other films screened were: "Nancy's Husband" and a series of really beautiful scenes on the River Tarn, in France. / . GLOBE THEATRE. In the current programme at the Globe Theatre the principal study is a. splendid colour firm, "At Handgrips -with Death." There are .some splendid -scenic settings in this production*secured in Italy. The story is; of &■ smuggler who * became infatuated of a girl who was engaged to be married. He became very jealous on discovering this latter fact; and plotted to bring about the girl's death. In this he was unsuccessful, he himself meeting with the death lie had intended for the girl. :'' The" Australian Gazette'' shows some very fine views of the New/South'Wales section of the Australian Expeditionary Force at the Agricultural Grounds, Sydney, together with other excellent topical views. Supporting studies prise "Tommy's Stratagem," childdrama; "Two Men and a Piano," comedy;, and "A Ride for a Bride," Keystone farce. The programme will be presented again this evening, throughout to-morrow. . ' ,? "THE DANDIES." • This popular company of entertainers is due to re-open at the Opera House on Thursday evening. Their success in their previous entertainments was distinctly gratifying, and" The Dandies' ' have every reason to believe that their return will be welcome. The season will be for six nights, and three new programme will be given. "The- Dan-1 dies" have;a very extensive repertoire, so they will introduce a large; number

of items which are entirely new to the Christchurch public. Box plans for the new season opened this morning at the Dresden. MUSICAL SOCIETY. Among the items in to-night's programme, Schumann's Quartet; played by Mrs Guthrie, Miss Vera A'Court, Mr Wood, and the conductor (Mr Thor-

ley), shcfuld be'an attractive feature. Miss Maud Stringer and Mr Leonard Barnes will sing the solo parts in "The Stabat - Mater " selections, which have been chosen by the conductor, and Miss Daisy Parsons will appear as soloist in '' Hear My Prayer.'' A violin solo by Miss Irene Edmonds, and the songs of Miss/Stringer and Mr Barnes should be appreciated. Mrs Russell will be the accompanist, while the organ will be played by Mr Arthur Lilly. | MISS DULOIB MITCHELL. ' The concert to be given by Miss Dull jcie Mitchell in the Theatre Royal next Monday evening is attracting considerable attention. It is said by those who have heard Miss Mitchell since her return from London that a very marked improvement is noticeable in her voice. Full and resonant, and with admirable blending of the registers, the rich contralto quality has , been admirably developed. Miss Mitchell -has selected for her concert a varied programme of songs by the best composers. The box plan opens at the Dresden this morning.