THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 216, 16 October 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The risible faculties are all aroused by the itarf comedy at His Majesty's Theatre. "Mabel at the Wheel' '■. supplies farcical incidents which keep the house in roars of laughter. The principal character/ Mabel Normand, is a veritable personification of mischief. Of topical interest is the "Gaumont Graphic,'' special war news. Other pictures include "The Auckland Forces,'' and several supporting items of interest. Special interest is taken in a film just out from England, depicting scenes concerning "The Battle of Louvain." The gallant stand made by the little garrison at Louvain will rank * among the epic stories of the war. The usual matinee performance is announced for to-morrow. GLOBE PICTURES. *'One Hour Before Dawn" is the star attraction of the current programme at the Globe Theatre! : ' : The photography and acting throughout ~ are sxcellent. A murder mystery is con-

tained in the story, the mystery being eventually unravelled by Kate Kirby, a girl deteetive, who discovers that Professor Wallace, the supposed murdered man, was not done to death, but killed by an infra-red ray. The working of the third degree to obtain confession of guilt is also splendidly shown. Another very fine production is "Zuza, the Bandmaster," Keystone farce, a splendid skit on the renowned Sousa. "The Battle of Louvain" is also shown, and a splendid number of the "Gaumont Graphic." The programme will be presented this evening and throughout to-morrow. SYDENHAM PICTURES. "As You Sow, '' Nordisk drama, was successfully presented at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening, before a large and appreciative audience. The story told is of the fortunes of a poor solicitor who promises his*wife to keep their children from poverty, whatever the means he employs. As an end to this means he enters into business with a pair of shady rascals as a money lender, and accumulates wealth, but when his children discover by what means that wealth was obtained they

leave him, and he dies from the shock. This picture, with a splendid supporting series, will be presented at a matinee to-morrow and finally to-mor-row evening. LEROY, TALMA, AND BOSOO. The size of the audiences which witness the entertainment which the clever trio of illusionists, Leroy, Talma, and Bosco, are now presenting at the Theatre Royal, increases nightly, evincing the fact that the general public delights in the mysterious. As an additional item Leroy last night presented a patriotic illusion entitled "To the Glory of Prance," symbolising, the triumph of the Triple Entente in a manner which appealed greatly to the audience. All the items of a lengthy programme were well received, the dancing of Warner and White being especially pleasing, and Santo Santucei's selections on the accordeon evoking: much applause, especially his presentation of the '' Marseillaise," while '\ The Unknown" in his balancing feats and quick-change act was i also entirely successful. A matinee performance is to be given tomorrow at 2.30, and the company will appear finally to-morrow evening.

THE COLOSSEUM. The very fine Nordisk production, "As You. Sow," is being screened most successfully at the Colosseum. Two splendid topical supporting studies are "The PathS Gazette," with a budget of war news, and "The Battle of Louvain^'' while supporting studies comprise " Taming a Stepfather," comedy; "The White Feather," drama; "The Yoseinite Valley,' ' scenic; and '' Rube, the Interpolator," comedy. The usual matinee performance will be given tomorrow. . '