THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 197, 24 September 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. At the Sydenham Picture Theatre tonight a new programme is to be presented, which will have as a star feature "England's Menace," a splendid naval production concerning the supposed invasion of England by a foreign Power. Supporting pictures to be shown will be "Mabel's Married Life," one of the best of Keystone comedies; "Too Much Parcel Post, "an amusing burlesque of the new French postal order; "The Pursuer , Pursued,'' a splendid comedydrama; "A Wild Sea and a Stormy Sunset," scenic; "Pups on the Rampage," animal study; and "The Gaujnont Graphic," topical.

THE COLOSSEUM. At the Colosseum this week '' Antony and Cleopatra" is proving a great draw, and large audiences attend nightly to see the Cines Company's famous interpretation of 'Shakespeare's immortal classic. The production contains stage settings rich and rare, while the acting throughout leaves little to be desired, and the study generally is one great triumph of the art of kinematography. The film will be screened again this evening, and the usual matinee performance is announced for Saturday.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "England's Menace" is the feature plroto-play at His Majesty's Theatre. The plot concerns the making of secret plans for the invasion of England. A spy in the employ of a foreign Power secures a place in the house of a British Minister as butler, and uses an amateur •wireless receive messages from his Government. The story shows how nefarious methods are frustrated, and the British Fleet is ready. Supporting pictures include a splendid number of the "Gaumont Graphic," an American storv "In the Days of Slavery,," a fine" study "Pups on the Rampage," and, a very fine scenic "A Wild Sea." One of the best Keystone comedies is "Mabel's Married Life," while a:lively ranch story is '' The Pursuer Pursued,'' and the concluding comedy is a French burlesque entitled "Too Much Parcel Post.'' The programme will be - presented again to-night.

GLOBE THEATRE. The star attraction of the new programme at the Globe Theatre, '' Between Man" and Beast," is a splendid study; It sets forth adventures of an Italian lieutenant, who, deprived of Ms commission, goes to India for big game shooting and is captured by the natives and condemned to be burned, "but escapes by undertaking to cure the chief. The officer's wife and child follow him to India, but on the passage the ship is burned, and the wife and child manage to escape and land on the coast of India, in the vicinity of the tribe which has imprisoned her husband. The chief's daughter, who has fallen in love with the officer, determines to get rid of the child by letting a ferocious ■fciger loose on it. Just in time the animal is shot and the story ends happily. The various incidents, including the

burning of the ship, are most realistically pictured. Supporting studies shown are "A Bad Game," Keystone comedy; "Gaumont Graphic," topical; and "Training British .Officers".; while a special attraction is the singing of 1 * Good Old New Zealand,'' an illustrated patriotic song.

"THE DANDIES." It is already being marked that the return of "The Dandies" is an event which finds favour with the public. When Mr Branscoiiibe sent his famous company of "Reds" to New Zealand two years ago it was thought that they were the best of the several "Dandies" combinations. It has been demonstrated in Wellington and Auckland, however, that the company which opens in the Opera House next Monday night stands as high, if not higher, in the regard of the public. Competent critics have placed them on the same plane as the celebrated "Scarlet Troubadours," which caused a furore in recent years. The personnel "of the visiting eom'pairy consists of Miss Ethel Walker, soprano; Miss Linda Bradford, contralto; Mr David Lyle, silvery tenor; Mr Andrew Pace, light comedian; Mr Harry Webster, character comedian; Mr George Taylor, light comedian; Mr Roland Henry, comedian and monologuist; Mr Herbert Brahms, pianist; and Mr Arthur Keighley, stage manager and producer. The plan is at the Dresden.