THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 234, 6 November 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. A mirth-provoking comedy, "The Knock Out, " was the sta'r attraction of the new programme presented at the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening. The film, which is a Keystone production some 2000 ft in length, introduces one, "Fatty," who establishes himself as a "white hope," but he proves to be hopeless. The supporting pictures, which are a splendid. series in every way, are:—"On the Maritime Alps," scenic; "Sparrow of the Circus," drama; "A Pair of Cuffs,'; drama; 4 ' Wanted, an Heir," comedy; and "The Battle of the Weak," drama. The same films will be screened this ■ evening, and at the matinee performance to-morrow. "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS." The Christchurch public is to-night given the last opportunity of seeing the delightful Scottish comedy "Bunty Pulls the Strings,'' as interpreted by Mr and Mrs Graham Moffat and their all-Scottish company. The very large audience which attended last evening appreciated the humour to the full, and those w r ho Jiave not witnessed this unique comedy should avail themselves of the final opportunity given. COLOSSEUM. Large audiences continue to patronise the Colosseum in order to witness that excellent Keystone comedy ,"Tlie Knock Out." In addition to several war topicala, which are being keenly enjoyed, other items screened are: — "Sparrow of the Circus" (drama), ""On the Maritime Alps" (scenic), "APair of Cuffs" (drama), "Wanted, an Heir" (comedy), and "The Battle of the Weak" (drama). The same pictures will be shown to-night and tomorrow afternoon.

HIS MAJESTY'S. A magnificent dramatic production entitled ''One of Our Girls," was once again screened before a large and enthusiastic audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The war pictures shown in the two issues of the "Gaumont Graphic'' were well received, as also were the supporting items which comprised "A Mountain Pass," "The Ever-gallant Marquis" (comedy), and "The Tangled Tangoists" (Vitagraph comedy). The programme will be repeated this evening aiid at the usual matinee performance to-morrow. " SIXTY YEARS A QUEEN.'» Monday night's colossal attraction at His Majesty's Theatre, "Sixty Years a Queen," which reproduces in 7000 ft of animate pictures notable historical and domestic events connected with the record reign and life of Queen Victoria, is described as a great national epic, which is calculated to arouse patriotic enthusiasm amongst the British race the, world over. The voluminous incidents disclosed in the pictures are said to have been prepared in strictly ac"curate form, with* the assistance of the Imperial and different State Governments of the Empire. The presentation of "Sixty Years a Queen" was a season's success in England, and* its popularity in Australia was equally marked. The "Sydney Sun" said of it:—"To

attempt, to portray 011 biograph films the growth of Greater Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria reads like the dream of a lunatic. Yet the picture presented last night, has done this •with a fine measure of historical success and with equal measure of success in the production of a picture entertainment which is full of human interest and contains a great, series of vivid and spectacular dramatic effects. The film runs on for over two hours through such a bewildering variety of event and effect that can but take pause here and there to note particularly an incident or scene of rare arresting interest. Great reviews, gorgeous services in the Cathedral, departure of troops for war, the shattered remnants of gallant brigades receiving decorations at the Queen's hands, a wild night in Crimean trenches, and the long, list of other notable events that could stretch the length of a catalogue.'' The popular elocutionist, Mr Barrie Marschel, will describe the incidents as the film unfolds, and ITayward's orchestra will render special music. Box plans for the six nights and matinees are available at the Dresden.

GLOBE THEATRE. The new programme at the Globe Theatre, headed by '' Brothers at War,'' a drama of exceptional merit, continues to draw large audiences to the various sessions. The picture contains many thrilling and exciting episodes, and has been well photographed. The supporting films, which are of a very high order, include " Gaumont Graphic" (topical), "Manicure Girl" (drama), "He Would a-Hunting Go" (comedy), and "Corner in Popularity" (comedy). The series will be screened again this evening and throughout to-morrow.

THE JULIUS KNIGHT SEASON. Probably never in theatrical history has more interest been taken in the appearance here of an actor or the production of a drama than that which ! has been infused in Mr Julius Knight's appearance here to-morrow evening in the big spectacular military drama '"A Royal Divorce,'' and the booking registered at Milner and Thompson's yesterday constituted about a record for Christchurch. The members of the company, together with the scenery and ; effects, arrived by the Ulimaroa yesteri day, and a full lighting and scenic rehearsal will take place this afternoon. Only five performances can be given of t A Royal Divorce," and on Friday | next '' The Scarlet" Pimpernel'' will be j revived for two nights. On Monday, j November 16, and the two following nights, the famous religious drama, '' Tfie Sign of the Cross,'' will be ' staged, and the season will close with 1 three special revivals of '' Monsieur Beaucaire.'' It would indeed be a hard matter to select a drama with the same resourceful demands upon the public as '' A Royal Divorce,'' for it is a wellknown fact that with its successive revivals its popularity has increased. It is not only in New Zealand that, this experience exists, as in England it has been almost consistenly performed for twenty years, whilst in Australia it has over and over again proved-itself by far i the best and most successful piece in the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., repertoire. Special interest will centre in to-mor-row night's performance from the fact that it will introduce a new Josephine, and in this character Miss Irene Browne

is said to be at her best. Her characterisation of the hapless and discarded wife 8f Napoleon created quite a sensation in Melbourne recently. Miss Dorothy Cumming, saitl to be one of thd prettiest actresses on the Englishspeaking stage, has been lavishly praised for her representation of the haughty Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon's second wife, and Miss Lizette

Parkes is exceedingly liappy in the role of Stephanie. Messrs Leslie Victor, Eardley Turner, Herbert Bentley, J. Harvey, and Martin Lewis have all most congenial parts to portray. 'New scenery and effects were recently made for the thrilling battle tableaux, which depict "The Battle of Waterloo," "The Burning of Moscow," and "The Rock at St. Helena. The scenery has already arrived in the charge of a large army of mechanics and electricians. The plans for '' A Royal Divorce'' are now open, and for the balance of the season they will be open on Monday next.

MYSTERIOUS HUGARD. A series of magical surprises, be'wildering scenes, and startling transformations are introduced in the repertoire of Hugard and Ching Sung Loo, magicians and conjurers, opening at the ■.King's Theatre to-morrow night, for a seven, nights' season. ]lu support are numbers of vocal and i specialty performers. The management wish to impress the public that their object has been to make their ! programme as attractive as possible, i and also amusing, in the belief that ! their theatre-going.patrons would much : rather laugh and enjoy themselves than j think and ponder in a'playhouse; there- \ fore they do not believe in presenting ; a too serious programme, but prefer in- ; stead to introduce the sparkle, the wit, i and the fun. This* is an age of learnj ing, yet the public appreciate being > mystified cleverly, although they like j a good laugh to go with it,! which is, | so the philosophers say, the sparkle of i life. Hugard and 1 Ching Sung Loo preIsent mauy new and improved acts •since their last visit here, including , vocal aiid specialty numbers, which lend I variety to a brilliant and spectacular j series of magic surprises and startling i illusions. -Hugard's great bul- '' let catching feat is as thrilling as one j could well desire. OPERA HOUSE. The vaudeville entertainments during Carnival Week should be very acceptable and popular functions. The Ful-ler-Brennan proprietary has engaged a number of high-class and clever artists, and the programmes have an exceedingly attractive appearance. Brown and Sorlie make a notable coloured comedian duo, and are described as a couple of first-class fun makers. Two sketch artists, Brown and Laws'on, have an inexhaustible fund of entertaining cleverness, and White and Grey, English musical comedy artists, promise something of a novelty in their line of work. The whole bill of fare promises a really good and smart vaudeville entertainment. The box plan is at Messrs Milner and Thompson's.