THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 212, 12 October 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The new programme to be presented at the Sydenham Picture Theatre this evening will be starred by a lengthy comedy, entitled "Mabel at the Wheel/' a highly entertaining Keystone farce. Supporting pictures, will comprise '' The Gaumont Graphic,'' war topical; "Breeding French Horses," iniustrial; "The Burden," drama; "Belaying a Railway," educational; "Free Lands of Harny," scenic; "Story of the Willow Pattern," Chinese legend; and "Bunny's Scheme,." comedy. COLOSSEUM. The Colosseum was liberally patronised at both afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday. To-night the customary ehange of film subjects will be made. The piece-de-resistance in the new programme is a dramatic production by the renowned Nordisk Company of Copenhagen, entitled "As You Sow." This picture play deals with the evil consequences of usury, and is considered one of the finest ethical

dramas ever filmed. The supporting numbers are: —"Pathe Gazette," with latest news from Europe and the war; "The Sugar Industry," educational; * ' Taming a Stepfather,'' comedy; ''The White Feather," drama; "Wiffles in a .Workshop," comedy; and a farcecomedy entitled "Rube, the Interloper." New music by the orchestra will complete the entertainment. HIS MAJESTY'S. To-night the usual star drama at His Majesty's Theatre will be displaced by a big 2000 ft Keystone comedy, '■' Mabel at the Wheel," a picture which has been a laughing boom* wherever presented. It is described as being very funny, its province being to create and sustain hearty laughter. The chief fun-raisers are the clever Keystone pair, Mabel Normand and Charles Chaplin, who, with the assistance of a clever cast, turn out a humorous work which eclipses all their previous efforts. Gaumont's special war news includes "Britain in Arms," "Outside the War Office," "Recruits to Kitchener's Appeal for 500,000 Men," "Marching Through London," "Recruits for Naval . Reserve," "Guarding Somerset House,"

"German Liners at Falmouth," "Scenes at the Thames Embankment," "The Kaiser's Grenadiers," "Hydroplanes, '' and '' The London Scottish on the March.'' Other pictures will comprise: — '■ "The Burden," drama; "Breeding French Horses," industrial; '' Re-laying a Railway,'' educational; "Free Lands of Harny" scenic; '' Bunny's Scheme,'' comedy; and '' The Story of the Willow Pattern," Chinese legend. "THE DANDIES." Better even than the first programme of the return season was programme No. 2 presented on Saturday evening, before a large audience. Singly, in pairs, trios, quartets, and collectively, '' The Dandies'' imparted sparkle and brightness to every item, with the result that the audience fairly took them to its heart. "Who are you with to-night?" asked Harry Webster, George Taylor, and Andrew Pace, after which Ethel Taylor, Linda Bradford, David Lyle, and George Taylor said .'' Strike the Lyre," modifying it. to "Strike the Liar" as George Taylor told the fourth *' story'' after his three partners had said their say. Naomi McQuoin, as-

sisted by several other "Dandies," sang '' I Da Like the Name of Mary,'' and was deservedly encored. Andrew Pace, for his singing, of '' Cigarette,'' was also asked* to contribute several more items, which he did to the evident satisfaction of the audience. One of the most popular numbers of the evening was "Canoe," sung in fine style by Naomi McQuom, George Taylor, Harry Webster, and Linda Bradford. These four represented themselves as in a canoe. They were not canoeing, however, but "canoodling." Ethel Walker was loudly applauded for her singing of "Fairy Dance," but her voice seemed to be giving her considerable trouble, and she was not heard to such advan- | tage as usual. George Taylor sang j'' Come Along'' very effectively, and I the audience was not appeased until he ! had contributed several more numbers, all equally popular. Roland Henry kept the audience in fits of laughter in his personation of a gentleman under the influence arguing with himself as to the respective merits of the God of Love and the God of Wine, the very way he said Bacchus each time provoking I laughter unrestrained. He was recalled again and again, and later appeared with Andrew Pace in a very popular number, '' Harold and Reggie.'' For singing '' Rose of My Heart,•'' David Lyle was also recalled several times, while Harry Webster was entirely successful as ''The Schoolmaster," and reappeared in several original ragtime numbers. Linda Bradford's most popular number was "The Rosary," which is especially suited to her voice, and of" which she gave a most sympathetic and pleasing rendering. There were various other concerted items, all of which were presented in the usual irreproachable '' Dandies' " style. The finale in each half of the programme was extremely popular—in the first half, "When a Woman Shops," and in the second half "A Seaside Courtship," the latter being especially pleasing," Naomi McQuoiii and Roland Henry as the lovers, and the remainder of the company being the pests of the beach, who were continually interrupting, "wanting to sell things." The programme will be presented again this evening. Tomorrow night the third entirely new. programme will be given. GLOBE THEATRE. At the Globe Theatre to-day the star attraction is "Within the Enemy's Lines," a splendid military and war drama, gripping in its power. '' Trapped in a Forest Fire" is a unique study, containing some sensational scenes, while "Too Many Brides" is a highly diverting Keystone farce. Other films showing are: —"The Sponge Industry," educational; "Mary Jane," comedy; and "The Australian Gazette," topical. The programme will be presented again this evening and throughout to-morrow. MISS DULCIE MITCHELL'S CONCERT. Miss Mitchell, who has just returned from a series of successes at the Royal Academy of Music and -Covent Garden, London, will give her initial performance at the Theatre Royal to-night. It is anticipated that there will be. a big house, and those who have not already booked are advised to take the first opportunity of doing so. The programme, which appeared iu Saturday's issue, is of a very attractive nature, and the assisting artists are Miss Lillian Harper, Mr George March, Cathedral Quartet, and Mr Alfred Worsley. ORGAN RECITAL. There was a very moderate attendance at Dr Bradshaw 's organ recital at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, though the programme given was excellent in every way, and the various compositions were played- with all the or- ! ganist 's technical mastery and intimate understanding. The programme was as follows: —Toccata and Fugue in E major (Bach); Ave Maria on Bach's First Prelude (Gounod); Rhapsodi snides Cantiques Bretons, op. 7, No. 1 (Saint-Saens); overture, "The Men of the Prometheus" (for full orchestra), (Beethoven); bass solo, "Honour and Arms," from the oratorio "Samson" (Handel) was sung by Mr Sidney Hawker; offertoire iu D" fiat (Salome); Movement at Arms from the opera ' * Euryanthe'' (Weber); Andantino, "The Angelus" (Chauvet); Gavotte de Louis Quinze (Maurice Lee); Epithalame, "Bridal Chorus," op. 58, No. 2 (Guilmant). LEROY, TALMA, AND BOSCO. The famous magical trio, Leroy, Talma, and Bosco, open to-mOrrow (Tuesday) evening, at the Theatre Royal. The illusions to be presented are many, and will include "Nero," or "Thrown to the Lions," a gorgeouslymounted spectacular production in pantomime action, in. which several small illusions are performed with skill, culminating in the heroine being thrown into the lions' cage, where her lover, by a feat of magic, vanishes the lion and bears his sAveetheart safely away. The

Hindu rope trick will be performed m Christchurch for the first time. A boy climbs half-way up a rope, and entirely disappears from view. This is mounted in a splendid Eastern setting, with appropriate music. The magie waters has been retained from Mr Lerby's previous visit to New Zealand, over eight years ago. In this Mr Leroy makes a tub in full view of the audience, and when he has poured about half-a-dozen cans of water into the receptacle numbers of ducks rise to the surface. The specialty acts are also a feature of the performance. Mile. Talma claims to be the only lady coin manipulator in the world, and will show a Christchurch audience how to make money easily. Bosco has his trick dog, "Napoleon," with himl Some extraordinary juggling by an unknown artist is included in the programme, and Warner and White, who are the American Beau Brummels of dancing, will demonstrate the eccentricity of their dancing. "Santucci," the wizard of the accordeon, will also appear in items from his extensive repertoire. The box plan is now on view at the Dresden, arid days sale tickets at the Toy Cave.