THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 193, 19 September 1914, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

COLOSSEUM. The Colosseum was again liberally patronised last evening, "The Unwelcome Throne" being the feature drama. This production is one of a series of .films which, will ■follow on in quick succession, each instalment being, as it were, a chapter in a novel. The appreciative manner in which .the first number has been received should ensure, the success of the series. Supporting pictures shown are: "Max's Persuasive Suicide, '' comedy; '' The Signal, '■' drama; "Our Country Cousins," Keystone farce; " Torrents .• of the Cascade,'' scenic; and the "Pathe Gazette,'' containing some excellent pictures of the British- Navy. The programme will be screened finally this evening.

"ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA." For next Monday evening the management of the Colosseum announces the revival of '' Antony and Cleopatra.' ' It reproduces on a comprehensive scale Shakespeare's immortal classic dealing with the love- -tragedy of the noted Roman general, Mark Antony, and the fascinating Queen of Egypt. The picture is in 7000 ft. of film and a complete entertainment. Writing of its first screening at Paris, "Le Temps" said: '-'The Cines Company, of Rome, has delighted devotees of the moving picture craze with many good examples of what has come to' be regarded as the art of kinematography. Amongst others did not Cines give' to the people 'Quo Vadis?' of grea£ fame. But never before has the Cines-.Company presented for criticism a'fllm of such outstanding excellence as 'Antony and Cleopatra.This is the latest picture of pretensions and significance, and we think it is beyond question the best. It would be difficult to recall any film which could be spoken of as in any way approaching its splendid magnificence." The box plans for "Antony and Cleopatra" opened at the Dresden to-day, and seats may be reserved for any evening of the season, which is limited strictly to six nights, and one matinee,.

HIS MA JEST Y'S. It is but seldom that such a pictorial treat as "David Copperfield" is" presented to patrons of a picture theatre, and the production has proved a great draw at His Majesty's Theatre this week. Any company taking upon itself the reproduction of a famous .work such as-"David Copeprfield" is setting itself a big task, and the members of the Hepworth Company are to be congratulated on their splendid interpretation. People wishing to see "David Copperfield" should bear in mind that it is to be presented finally this evening.

"ENGLAND'S MENACE.'-* <'England's Menace" is the star photo-play to be screened at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday next. This is a British patriotic naval drama magnificently acted by an all-British star cast. The subject is one of vital interest and one whicli concerns the individual and' the nation. Nefarious foreign methods are exposed relative to the threatened invasion of Englaix!, and this most remarkable of motionplays conies in the light of a prophecy. The plot concerns the making of secret plans for the invasion of England. The chief spy of a foreign Power secures a place as butler in the house of a British Minister. He uses his opportunities to copy important papers winch refer to the movements of British ships. An amateur wireless outfit at the house he uses to receive messages from his Government. The date fixed for the invasion arrives, but by a clever intervention the significance of a code message is translated, and the British Fleet is ready. The story stirs the imagination of even the most unpati\iotie individual, and is full of gripping situations. There will be a full supporting series.

GLOBE PICTURES. The collapse of an enormous suspen L sion footbridge, and the precipitation of a young man into the water below>

his being swept into the clutches of a huge mill-wheel, but successfully hanging on to one of the spokes of the wheel while-it continues .to revolve, are some of the scenes which make "The Bridge of Terror," the feature drama of the current programme at the Globe Theatre, well worth seeing. The supporting pictures also are a splendid series, and comprise: "The Scapegrace," drama; "Norah's Boarders," comedy; "Antigonio Valley,"" scenic; and the latest "Gaumont Graphic," topical. The programme will be screened finally this evening.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The Sydenham Picture Theatre was again largely attended last evening, when the current programme, with '' The Unwelcome Throne "as the f ea : ture drama, was entirely successful in entertaining those present. "The Unwelcome Throne'' is the first of a series of pictures which follow.on like the chapters of a novel, and, judging by the first instalment, the series should be most popular. Supporting pictures are: "Max's. Persuasive Suicide," comedy; '' Our Country Cousins,'' Keystone farce; " The' Signal," drama; "Torrents of the Cascade," scenic; and a recent issue of the "Pathe Gazette," topical. The programme will be screened finally this evening.