THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 235, 7 November 1914, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

"A ROYAL DIVORCE." TONIGHT. At the Theatre Royal this evening at <S o'clock the very popular and brilliant dramatic artist, Mr Julius Knight, supported by Miss Irene Browne and J. (J. Williamson's incomparable company of dramatic stars, will stage the big military dramatic spectacle, '' A Royal Divorce.'' The plans are now on view at the Toy Cave confectionery shop, and day sale tickets may also be purchased there. A big feature of the revival will be the staging of the famous series of stirring historical tableaux, which includes ' 1 The Battle of Waterloo," The Charge of the British Cavalry," " The Bout of Napoleon Troops," "The Eetreat from Moscow,'' and ' * The Bock at St. Helena." The production of "A Royal Divorce" at the present juncture will naturally prove of exceptional interest, as many of its main incidents happen in the vicinity of where the British and French troops have recently been fighting the German soldiers. Besides being one of the very best actors we have yet had the pleasure of enjoying in this part of the world, Julius Knight is also the possessor of a magnetic personality which gets over the footlights and which brings him in close contact with his audience. Julius Knight's Napoleon will always stand out as one of his finest characterizations. He has made a special study of .the personality, the face, and figure of the Master of Europe, with the result that he presents" the stern, implacable, conquering hero to the very life. Miss Irene Browne is said to be magnificent as the hapless Empress Josephine, whose wonderful fidelity to Napoleon is displayed in the 'drama, but the fact that although set aside by the Emperor in order that he may marry the Princess Marie Louise, she still remains staunch to him, and at the last begs the British Admiral to permit her to accompany Napoleon to St. Helena. Miss Lizette Parkes is said to be at her the part of Stephanie. The cast also includes Messrs Leslie Victor, who will appear as Talleyrand, Eardley Turner as Grimaud, Herbert j. Bentley as General Augereau, Martin Lewis as Marshal Ney, James Hughes as Murat, Frank Harvey as Marquis de Beaumont, Charles Morse as Orderly; also the Misses Emma Temple as Nurse, Alma Phillips as Angelipue, M. Bellenger as Blanche, Stella Swifte as Madame de Campan, and little Pliillipa as the King of Rome. The production is staged under the direction of Julius Knight, an.d Thomas Foster is stage manager. COLOSSEUM. "The Knock Out," a very fine Keystone comedy, was once again star attraction at the Colosseum last evening. The excellent supporting pictures with "A Pair of Cuffs" and "The Battle of the Weak,'' as two of the most entertaining studies, were also screened most successfully. The programme' will be presented finally this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S. At His Majesty's Theatre last evening, ' 1 One of Our Girls, ' 1 a splendid dramatic production,, was once more responsible for a large and appreciative audience. The supporting items, comprising''' The Gau-

mont Graphic'' (topical), "A Mountain Pass," "The Ever-gallant Marquis" (comedy), and "Tangled Taugoists" (Yitagraph comedy), were also well received. The series will be presented for the last time to-night. "SIXTY YEARS A QUEEN." j In producing at His Majesty's Theatre j on Monday evening next the biggest eduj catioual film yet achieved by kinematojgraphy, "Sixty Years a Quce.ii," the | management is presenting a subject j which aroused, the keenest competition 'among film buyers ever known in Eng- | land. Hayward's have secured it for , Christchurch, and its first presentation in • this city takes place as above set out. i The picture illustrates in motion photoi grapliy the life ami reign of the late Queen Victoria, and covers the period from IS:>7 to 1901. The accuracy of the picture as regards historic events is said to be absolute. To ensure this accuracy every possible assistance was freely given to the makers by the various Imperial and State authorities. The film is in 7000 ft. of pictures, and, briefly put, it may be regarded as a pictorial history of the British Empire for years. An explanatory lecture by Mr Barrie Marschel, the well-known raconteur, will accompany the unfolding. The film \s tour of the Dominion opened at Auckland, when an emphatic success was scored in the presence of an audience which overcrowded the largest picture theatre in New Zealand. Box plans for the season of six nights and matinees are now open at the Dresden. GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme at the Globe Picture Theatre will be screened finally this evening. The principal attraction in the new series is "Brothers at War," a drama featuring two brothers during the time of the American Civil War. Other worthy inclusions are: 1 ' Pathe Gazette'' "Gaumont Graphic" cal), "He Would a-Hunting Go" (comedy), and "A Corner in Popularity" (comedy). Sydenham Pictures. '' The Knock Out,'' the star item in the new programme showing at the Sydenham Picture Theatre, was screened most successfully for the second time last evening. The supporting items, which included "Sparrow of the Circus" (drama), "On the Maritime Alps" (scenic), "A v Pair of Cuffs" (drama), "Wanted, an Heir" (comedy), and "The Battle of the Weak" (drama), met with equal success. The same pictures j will be screened finally this evening. "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS. '' There was a large audience at the Opera House last evening to witness the last performance in Christchurch of "Bunty Pulls the Strings." The piece proved thoroughly amusing and enjoyable throughout, and the clever company was given a warm farewell. MYSTERIOUS HUGARD. To-night at the King's Theatre an air of mystery will prevail. The magician who possesses ability and charm is the one whom the public appreciate, especially when a sparkle of comedy is combined with the magic. This is where Hugard and Ching Sung Loo make good —while enveloping themselves in a mantle of mystery they still find time

to get tlie laughs. Once when Ilugard was on tour lie overheard a conversation in an American theatre ticket seller's office, as follows:—"Say, Mr Manager, give me a couple of tickets for a good show with lots of fun in it. I want to laugh, I .get my drama at home, ' and sometimes it's melodrama. You know what I want." That hit Hugard as being a good illustration, and

he decided to put plenty laughs in his programme; so humour was combined with his artistic magic skill, and he hit the wants and tastes of the average theatre goer of to-day. The Chinese act of Ching Sung Loo introduces many startling surprises, thrilling and bewildering, while Hugard's bullet catching feat is as sensational as could be wished fdr. The Two Frankelins English Comedy Duo* Miss Errington, musical expert, Mr Ted Allen, comedian, Miss Clare! soubrette, and Clivalli and Dog Sport support the magicians. OPERA HOUSE, On Monday evening the Fuller-Brennan vaudeville organisation will rc-open at the Opera House with a big vaudeville programme, which will include items "by MiLeslie Holmes and his company of Pierrots, Westin, impersonator of celebrities, Rosa Loader, musical monologuist, White and Grey, English musical comedy artists, Brown and Sorlie, coon comedians, Brown and Lawson, sketch artists, and Arthur Troutt and his Mermaid. A comedy company of six members will also contribute to the entertainment. The box plan is at Messrs Milner and Thompson's.