THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 54, 9 April 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

GRAND THEATRE. The Grand Theatre was well patronised at all sessions yesterday, when the current programme was finally presented. To-day an exceptionally varied programme has been showing before large and well-pleased audiences, who onjoy greatly "the screening of the star film," '' What Men Will Do,""'' a thrilling drama. Worthy supporting pictures are also screened in "The Fate Fashioned Letter," drama; "The Guardian Angel," drama; "Eclair Journal," topical news; and "The"Widow's Dog" and '' The Lady Doctor,'' excellent comedies. The programme will be repeated to-night and on Saturday. GLOBE THEATRE. An entirely new programme has been showing at the Globe Theatre to-day, to the satisfaction of the large audiences which have attended at all sessions. The chief attraction is a star comedy entitled "Wiffles, Mother's Darling," a Pathe production provoking endless merriment. Another successful comedy shown is "A Wife Wanted,'' while the programme is •varied by "On their Wedding Eve" and "A Tenderfoot's Money," dramas; "Gaumont Graphic," topical news, and "Russian Naval Manoeuvres," an excellent series of pictures. The programme will be screened to-night and during Saturday. SYDENHAM PICTURES. A large audience witnessed the final screening of the current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening; and for to-night a complete change of programme is announced, leaded by an Oriental drama, "A Prisoner in the Harem," which sets forth a story full of exciting incidents. A leading actor in the play is an exceedingly well-trained tiger, which is of vast assistance in bringing to a happy conclusion the love affair 1 of a Hindu man and maiden. The film is said to hold the attention of the audience from start to finish. Other supporting pictures announced are "Pathe's English Gazette/' "A Day in a Sailor's Life," "Two Aristocratic Penitents," "Gagry," and "Hubby's Polly." OPERA HOUSE. The current programme at the Opera Bouse, having as its star turn the performance of Captain Brunswick and Co., in their Western comedy "A Tenderfoot's Troubles," continues to please the large audiences which gather nightly. Miss Millie Doris has also won her way to favour, and is eminently successful in her performance. Cunningham and Rose furnish abundant comedy in their turn, as do Welch and Carbasse in their sketch "A Terrible Fix." Pleasing singing and dancing is supplied by Carlton and Sutton and the two Strattons, while other artists appearing successfully are the Phillips Sisters, Knowles and Lee, Tom Leonard, and Miss Elsie Knowles. Special matinees are announced for Easter Saturday and Monday,, at 2.30 p.m. COLOSSEUM. . The Colosseum management has evidently found a film to-please the multitude in "A Prisoner in the Harem," judging by the large audiences which

attend nightly. The well-trained tigjer which takes a leading part in the performance, and is of material assistance in bringing to a satisfactory conclusion the love affair of a Hindu youth and maiden,'provides most of the sensation of the piece, which is fairly twell acted and extremely well photographed. Other pleasing supporting pictures shown are: "Pathe's English Gazette,V "A Day in a Sailor's Life" (a Cines educational study), "Two Aristocratic Penitents" (drama), "Gagry" (an exceedingly effective Pathe colour scenic production), and "Hubby's Polly" (A.K. comedy). The .programme will be repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S. The programme showing at His Majesty's Theatre this week cannot fail to entertain, and large audiences nightly take advantage of the generous fare provided. The star film, entitled "The Silver Skull," is very well received, . as it tells a most interesting story, is cleverly acted, and the photography leaves nothing to be desired. Another pleasing film shown is "The Blast Furnace,'' which gives one a good opportunity to obtain instruction in the modern method of the % nranufacture of iron from the native ores. Other films screened are: —"Mabel's Stormy Love Affairs," "The Witching Hour," anjd "Uncle's Namesakes" (three excellent .comedies), "The Gaumont Graphic" (topical news), "The Colonel's Adopted Daughter" (drama), and "The National Park of Lapland" (an excellent scenic production). The programme will be repeated this evening. THE PANTOMIME « * ALADDIN. '' By the Maori, arriving to-morrow morning from Wellington, is the full company of George Willoughby's pantomime "Aladdin," with all the scenery and effects connected with this attraction. To ensure the success of the production, Messrs George Willoughby, Ltd!, sent to their agents in America to secure them the best pantomime producer America possessed, and Mr Lester Brown was secured. The result is (according to the Sydney Press) MiBrown has given theatregoers an attraction replete in every detail, and by far the most up-to-date attraction yet witnessed. New ideas, ballets, groupings, mechanical settings, novelties, etc., are prominent in this production, and the innovation of the grand ragtime revue (where the whole company parade on a specially constructed platform over the heads of the audience) is a feature that will be remembered. Of the 250 people concerned, the most prominent are Grace Palotta, who portrays the character of Koko (captain of * the Emperor's Guards), Carrie Moore (Aladdin), Mabel Batchelor (the princess), Edward Stanley (the Widow Twankey), Bert Barton (the Vizier), Roy Hastings (the Emperor), Percy Clifton (Abanazer). The specialities comprise some of the most attractive acts that have yet been seen, principal among them being:—Leon Morris and his wrestling ponies (M), and their Ethiopian wrestling partner, John Hedges. This act was secured at enormous expense from the New York Hippodrome. Another American importation, from the Casino Theatre, New York, is Marcelle and Fallon, who specialise ragtime. The music, choruses, and topical numbers are also a feature, and haA-e been composed by F. WynneJones. The magnificent scenery will eclipse anything yet seen in regard to

this production. The costumes, made from latest English and American designs, are a revelation of the eostumiere's art. There will be two matinees during the "Aladdin" season, the first being announced for Monday next and the second for Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., when children will be admitted to all parts except gallery at half-price. The box plans are at the Dresden. THEATRE ROYAL. The American Burlesque Company closed its season last night with a final performance of "A Dream City."