THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 55, 11 April 1914, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

COLOSSEUM. "A Prisoner in a Harem" and the .various supporting pictures Avill be finally to-night. On Monday jafternoon, at 2.30, there will be a Special revival of "The Last Days of Pompeii," which was shown in Christn'hurch with such pronounced success jsome months ago. The film is an adaptation of Bulwer Lytton's famous book, «,nd the story is said to lend itself to production by motion photography. The iirst-class acting, scenic effects, and Elaborate staging, combine to make the picture one of the finest yet procured. ;Ancient Roman life is resurrected iamongst the actual ruins of Pompeii, the struggle between the early Christians and the Pagans, and the love story of the blind girl Nydia, combining to Vnake a story thrilling in its interest. Box plans for the season opened at the Dresden at 10 a.m. to-day.

HIS MAJESTY'S The excellent star drama, '' The Silver fSkull," showing in the current proframme at His Majesty's Theatre, has een eminently successful in pleasing the large audiences which have attended. To-night this film., and the various supporting pictures' will be •screened for the last time. For Monday la special holiday matinee is promised, <?ontaining a fine star drama, "The Next Generation." Two Vitagraph favourites appearing in another connection are Maurice Costello and John lJunny. ,

OPEBA HOUSE. Captain Brunswick and Co., in their Western comedy sketch, introducing various specialties, together with Millie Doris, the popular comedienne, and other members of the company, continue to please large audiences. The present programme will be presented finally to-night. The special Easter programme, commencing with the matinee performance on Monday at 2..'U), will include the following artists: Brent If ayes, ban joist; the three Luxors, instrumentalists; Foster, Lamont, and Foster, acrobats; Millie Doris, and a "star" company. The box plans are open at Milner and Thompson 's. SYDENHAM PICTURES. • The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre will be presented this evening for the last time. It contains the sensational drama, "A Prisoner in the Harem," famous for the sensational animal act included. The programme includes the following supporting films, "Patlie Gazette," "A Day in a Sailor's Life," "Gagry," and "Two Aristocratic Penitents." A special holiday matinee is announced for Monday, when a new programme will be presented. GPvAND THEATRE.

The current program me at the Grand Theatre continues to attract the attention it deserves, large audiences attending at all sessions. The programme is excellently varied, and contains as star film a powerful drama, "What Men Will Do." An interesting story is told, and the acting is beyond reproach. The supporting pictures also are of a jbigh standard, comprising the films "The Fate Fashioned Letter," drama; "The Guardian Angel," drama; "The

Widow's Dog" and "The Lady Doctor," comedies; and an excellent number of the "Eclair Journal." The programme will be shown again this evening.

GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme of the Globe Theatre has been witnessed by large attendances of spectators throughout the day. The star film is a comedy, "Wiffles, Mother's' Darling," containing a' further series "of adVentures of the inimitable Wiffles in connection with his relation to members of the fair sex. A successful drama is "On Their Wedding Eve," commencing with the parting in anger of two lovers on the eve of their wedding, and their subsequent happy reconciliation. Supporting films were "A Tenderfoot's Money," "Russian Naval Manoeuvres," "A Wife Wanted," and the latest "Gaumont Graphic." The same programme will be shown continuously this evening.

I "ALADDIN" PANTOMIME I TO-NIGHT. Mr George Willoughby, who is presenting his first annual pantomime to Christchxirch theatre-goers at the Theatre Royal •to-night, has reason to congratulate himself upon the fact that the production has been such an enormous success. The admission prices are less than those charged at previous pantomimes, and the public would scarcely expect to obtain such a lavish production as that provided by the bigger firm; but despite this fact the Willoughby pantomime stands out as one of the best shows that has been presented to theatre-goers for a long time. It is well dressed, well mounted, and crowded with bright turns, catchy songs, and funny comedy. Comedy nowadays, especially in productions of this sort, has an unfortunate habit of peldom being really funny. This accusation cannot be brought against the Willoughby production. The new book of "Aladdin" has been packed with good things, while the leading artists engaged in the production are nearly all people with long and distinguished theatrical experience in all its branches. After all, a pantomime, whether it is called a "revue" or any other name, is merely a first-class vaudeville show, with various items strung together and sandwiched in between big ballets and splendid scenes. In such a production vaudeville artists are essential, and excellent vaudeville artists Mr Willoughby lias got together. Miss Carrie Moore is making a new reputation for herself as principal boy, and this lady is ideally suited to the part. Miss Grace Palotta, who has never appeared in pantomime before, is (.•harming and piquant, as she alone knows how to be. The list ot artists in special numbers is a lengthy and attractive one. A remarkable feature of the "Aladdin" production is the ragtime revue, which is given by the full strength of the company (240 people) over the hea/Is of the audience on a specially constructed platform running from the stage to the entrance door of the stalls. This platform is brilliantly lighted with delicately coloured lamps, the house is in darkness but for these lights, so the effect can well be imagined.