THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 138, 17 July 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

•'ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.'* The first presentation of Cines's classic, reproduction of "Antony and Cleopatra" is promised for Monday aiext at His Majesty's Theatre. The film is said to fairly bristle with brilliant spectacles, but that part of the drama which excels the rest in pieture atory is the series dealing with the war waged upon Antony by Rome, on reso-, lution of the Roman Senate. It begins with the meeting of i- - ? Senate, in -which the "assembled fathers" of Some are shown in a resurrected, Curia. Then the invasion of Egypt follows. The heaviest-expense in the making of the film was incurred here. A large number of Italian sailing vessels, approximating in size and lines to the ancient Roman galleys of war, were leased, and, under the direction of the ■fefest classical scholars of Italy, were altered and remodelled to be propelled by oars, as in the days when Rome was mistress of the world, by sea as well as »n land. At Toronto or Tarentum, the very port from which the main body of the Roman fleets sailed, the film producers built a stone quay on classic models, and on historic ground, famous

for the original event, it reproduced the embarkation of the Romans. The galleys were then taken out to sea, and followed by a specially-chartered steamer, and were several times filmed to show the passage of the army over the Mediterranean. A highly exciting section shows the casting of a girl slave to the alligators. An augmented orchestra has been arranged for under Signor Maitinelli. Box plans are available at the Dresden for the six nights' season. COLOSSEUM. The Colosseum continues to draw large audiences nightly, chiefly perhaps because the spectacular drama, '' A Fight for a Fortune," finds a place on the programme. This production abounds in exciting incident, and is altogether most entertaining. A fine series of varied supporting films is also screened, there being "several good comedies, a drama, a scenic, and a topical film. The same programme will be screened again this evening, a matinee performance is announced for to-morrow, while the programme will be screened finally in the evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. An exceptionally fine drama in "A Day of Days," was screened again last

night before a very large audience. The production sets forth a highly interesting story, made all the more attractive by excellent photography and capable acting. There is a very fine series of supporting pictures, "Winter Sports in Sweden" being especially attractive. The same programme will be repeated again this evening, at a matinee performance to-morrow, and finally tomorrow night. OPERA~HOUSE. Again last evening another very large audience gathered at the Opera House. The current programme is well varied, and contains some very fine turns, while there is not a weak item on the programme. The same fare will be provided aga*in this evening. Tomorrow a special matinee will be given in addition to the evening performance. Goyt's equilibristic dogs should prove especially attractive to the young folk. For next week's programme the starring and exclusive engagement, direct from Hammerstein Theatre, New York, of Edward Blondell, America's greatest comedian, is announced. He will appear in his original absurdity in one act, '' The Lost Boy,'' assisted by Miss Katharyne Caine, the noted American actress. The Edward Blondell season is strictly limited to six nights and one special matinee.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre is proving most, attractive, the star production being a spectacular detective drama entitled '' A Fight for a Fortune," the sequel to « * The Black Thirteen.'' The film abounds in exciting incident and is splendidly photographed and acted. The series of supporting pictures is also most attractive and varied. The programme will be repeated again this evening, at a matinee performance to-morrow, and finally in the evening. GLOBE PICTURES. The current programme at the Globe Theatre has been attracting large audiences to the various sessions. "The Lure of Gold" has proved especially attractive, and will be screened finally this evening. A dishonest trustee applies to his own use a considerable fortune entrusted to him by a dying woman for the benefit of her daughter, and sets out on a career of expensive and riotous living. Finally he gets in with a gang of swell coiners and becomes practically the head of that enterprise. Meanwhile the girl grows up and falls in love with a young naval officer who, while on a visit to the girl, falls into a trap laid for the coiners. He and the detective set on the trail, then join forces, and at length the gang are brought to bay. A terrible battle between the police and the coiners follows, and the latter are captured. Another very fine drama finds a place on the programme in "Duty," while there arc several other excellent supporting pictures. The same series, with the exception of "The Lure of Gold" will be screened throughout tomorrow.

OLYMPIA RINK. The various sessions at the Olympia Rink continue to be well attended, and skating grows continually in popularity as a pastime. The evening sessions are made especially attractive by the music provided by the Olympia Band. The same hours will be observed this evening and to-morrow. '''PRESERVING MR PANMURE." It was not altogether the claims of the prospective Canterbury College Library that caused another large audience to spend upwards of three hours in the Theatre Royal last night, but the exceeding excellent performance, for amateurs, of '' The Players ' ' in their presentation of "Preserving Mr Panmure." Sir Arthur Pinero's play abounds in tense situations, and" the elements of genuine' humour, and the Players were rarely found wanting. Much of their performance, indeed, was worthy of the professional stage, several of the characters drawn being almost beyond reproach, notably the eWerly Mrs Hebblethwaite and St. John Panmure, J.P. Sir Arthur Pinero himself has defined that farce . should * treat of probable people placed in possible circumstances, and, regarded from a point of view which exaggerates their sentiments and magnifies their foibles. It is on this ground that Mr W. S. Wauchop 's performance claims very favourable attention. His manner is unrestrained and natural, although he perhaps loses somewhat in fine characterisation what he gains in burlesque and humour. Mr F. Brittan as Alfred Hebblethwaite, M.P., was rather restrained at the commencement, but as his prominence I in the comedy increased, so his performance became more natural and a part of himself. Mr 11. E. Marsh, as the Rt. Hon. Reginald Stulkeley, and Mr R. Twyneham as his private secretary, both performed creditably, although Mr Marsh was seldom quite at his ease, and his stage presence and actions were stiff and unnatural. Mr C. S. Booth, as Hugh Loring, also acted capably, especially in the opening scenes. For the ladies Mrs H. E. Marsh, as Mrs Hebblethwaite, acted in a manner which would have done credit to a professional. Miss H. Rolleston, as Mrs Panmure, displayed an accent which was not always in accord with one's interpretation of the character, but her manner and general stage presence were beyond reproach. Mrs W. H. Montgomery as Josepha Quarendon, was easy and natural in manner, although the character as she portrayed it was somewhat disappointing in that it lacked the subtle charm which was attributed to it. Miss Joycelyn Pyne, as Myrtle, the precocious daughter of the Panmure household, left little to be desired in her interpretation, which was intelligent and generally free from stageyness. The remaining characters were all portrayed with proportionate success, and helped to make up an entertainment well worth while, the proeeds of which will doubtless prove of much material assistance in the establishment of the college library. MISCHA ELMAN, WORLD'S GREATEST VIOLINIST. At the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Saturday) and Monday next a new epoch in the musical history of Christchurch will be opened up by the visit here of Mi.se ha Klman, universally acknowledged as the greatest violinist of the age. It is interesting to recall what the Mel-

bourne papers said of Elman when he first appeared in Australia. For instance, the Melbourne "Age*' wrote of the'opening concert as "a triumph for Miacha Elman." The critic went on: "His claim to greatness is securely based upon the solid "rock of absolute music. ... It is as an artist that Mischa Elman comes to us, and so great an artist that the future will link his name "with those of Joachim and Ysaye. Of necessity it will be regarded as an historical occasion.'' Then the Melbourne "Argus" wrote of Elman's initial appearance in Australia that he was a "brilliant artist. Like a true musician, he made his performance a sort of splendid crescendo. As he went through one piece after another the 'golden moments' increased until at last the young artist had the audienee fairly shouting with enjoyment." Then the "Herald," to finish with the daily papers, wrote of Elman: "With the appearance of Mischa Elman, Australia's participation in the art life of Europe has advanced another step. We have heard of the reputation of this artist before he appeared here, but the report were as nothing compared to.his superb playing; he apparently stands alone among violinists for all time, at any rate of our own time." Only two concerts can be given here because of Elman's engagements, in the Old World. His programme for the first conffert will comprise the Symphony Espagnole (Lalo), Allegro non troppe, andante, and rondo (allegro), air on G string (Bach), "Etude Caprice" (Paganini), "Faust Fantasie" (Wieniawski), and the bracketed numbers "Ave Maria" (Schubert-Wilhelmj), "Hungarian Dance No. 7" (BrahmJoachim), "Sicilienne et Rigaudon" (Couper-in-Kreisler), and "Souvenir de Moscow" (Wieniawski). This is a programme that should fulfil the demands of all music lovers, comprising as it does the famous Lalo Symphonie, besides the other classical items. Mile. Eva Gau-»-thier, the brilliant French-Canadian soprano', will sing the "Aria de Bosina" (Barbiere de Seviglia), by Rossini, and the bracketed numbers "The Dove" (Landon-Ronald), "Psyche" (E. Paladihle), and "Bolero" (Dessauer). Mr Percy Kahn, the brilliant London pianiste who has been with Mischa Elman for the past six years, will be the accompanist. The box plan for the seaSon is now open at Milner and Thompson's, Ltd., opposite the clock. Daysale tickets are at Woodward's, tobacconist, as usual.