THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

THE COLOSSEUM. The wet weather on Saturday evening had very little material effect on the attendance at the Colosseum, and the afternoon matinee was also well attended. To-night is change night, when picture-lovers will have served up to them a well-varied bill of fare. The principal film bears the title '' Where the Road Forks," and deals with a crisis in a woman's life. As the story is unfolded a great conflict between love and ambition is portrayed. This sensational drama is supported by a number .of other films, each said to be one of the best of its kind. They are "The Gaumont Graphic," replete as usual with illustrated topical events, 1 ' Powers of the Air" (drama), "Italian Navy of To-day," "The Reward" (drama), "The Life-savers" (Gomedy), and "Between the Showers" (Keystone comedy).

HIS MAJESTY'S. At to-night's screening at His Maj>esty's Theatre of "The Three Musketeers" a Christchurch audience' will l>e introduced., to the biggest filni'play ever made for presentation on one; evening. The picture is said to haveh&d a most successful season at Auckland and Wellington. It is a huge production, 10,000 ft in length, being in itself a complete entertainment. As : the screening takes two hours and a-quar.ter, the management intimates that the overture will be played at 7.55 arid the screening start at 8 o'clock prompt. This pictorial reproduction of Alexandre Dumas's famous romance is said to follow the book faithfully and present all the notable incidents and episodes of the story. The handsome costumes of the time of Louis XII. of France, admirably carried out by distinguished actors and actresses, are a feature of the production, while the scenic settings are stated to be very beautiful. By means of the dresses and the settings an admirable Old World atmosphere is preserved. In the picture there are reproductions of the actual palaces, dungeons, prisons, courts, and quaint inns indicated in the author's work. Appropriate music, which has been specially arranged, will be played by Hayward's Orchestra. The number of seats already reserved at the Dresden indicates a keen public interest in the play.

OPERA HOUSE. On Saturday evening a large number of people braved the, stormy elements to witness the final presentation of last week's programme of vaudeville at the Opera House, and the turns of the Various artists were greatly enjoyed. Tonight a new and diversified programme of star acts will be presented, including the starring engagement and first appearance of Hayes and R'lves, "The Divinity and Her Escort," singers and whirlwind dancers;,the first appearance of Ray and Ray, eccentric entertainers, in a breezy bit of nonseusicality; and the welcome reappearance of Tom Armstrong and Mabs Howarth, comedy artists and expert dancers, in their singing, talking, and dancing specialties. The musical artists, Muriel Andrews and Ruby Dent, will also appear in a highelass entertainment, and there are in

addition the world's laugh-makers, the N Waldrons, in their original comedy sketch, '' The Silly Burglar,'' Billy Watson, the popular London comedian, and Vincent, Arthur, and Oliver, vocal entertainers. Bailey's dogs will open their Christchurch season on June 29, booking plans for which are now at Mes.;rs Milner and Thompson's music warehouse. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre was presented finally on Saturday evening, and tonight patrons will be given an opportunity of witnessing the biggest picture ever screened at one sitting in " The Three Musketeers.'' This film sets forth the illustrious work of Alexandre Dumas, and is presented by a strong cast of famous Italian actors. The production comes with the highest credentials from the Press of other countries, and should prove most interesting. There will also be shown a preliminary series of strong supporting pictures. GLOBE THEATRE. Good audiences attended the Globe Theatre at all the sessions on Saturday, when a popular programme was shown for the last time. To-day the first change for the current week will be effected. The star picture is entitled "The Trap"—a drama 2000 ft in length. It deals with matters military, and has the usual complement of exciting incidents and daring escapes. It will be supported by "Master and Pupil" (another drama from the Edison Company)? "The Troubles of an Actor'* (comic), "Egypt's Capital, Cairo,"

"Warwick Chronicle," and "Hogan v. Schmidt." The pictures will be shown continuously frOm ifoon to 10.30 p.m.

OLYMPIA RINK. The Olympia Rink was patronised by a large number of skaters all day on Saturday, all the participants seemingly obtaining full measure of enjoyment from their recreation. The floor just now is in perfect order, and all the other arrangements are fully up-to-date. The rink will be open at the usual hours to-day.

ORGAN RECITAL. A programme composed entirely of Wagner selections was given by Dr Bradshaw last evening in His Majesty's Theatre. The audience was thoroughly appreciative, and in point of view of numbers it was satisfactory. The first extract was from the '' Meistersingers,'' and in this the organist gave a wonderful demonstration of his ability to interpret the more complicated compositions of Wagner. In the first prelude to Lohengrin, with its interwoven story of arms, love, and romance, Dr Bradshaw was equally delightful. The Pilgrims' Chorus from " Tannhauser," and the "Shepherd's Lay," gave the organist new themes to interpret, and in each he succeeded admirably. One of the the Sailors' Chorus from the "Flying Dutchman," "Steersman, Leave the Watch." The audience especially appreciated "Lohengrin's Farewell" and the " Friedensmarch," from "Rienzi," with which the performance concluded.