THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 287, 8 January 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

GLOBE THEATRE. The programme at present being shown ,fct the Globe Theatre is one of the best. '"Where the Boat! Forks" is shown as the star drama. This set* forth how a young woman who was engaged to be anarried had at the same time an ambition to go on the stage, and was offered aui engagement, being given to understand that she would have to relinquish all anatrjmonial ideas if she was to realise Jier ambition. On her lover urging immediate marriage she showed hint the agreement which awaited her signature, and lie decided to wait an hour while she ■considered her position. The girl fell asleep and in a dream she was shown a successful career on the stage. Then Cupid showed her happy home life. Asking what old age would bring her on the stage, she was shown as an old and fretful woman whose voice had failed her. Cupid showed her still happy in her home life, with her grandchildren about her. The lover returned, and the girl, acting upon the dream, decided in favour of marriage. One of the best Keystone conxediek shown for a long time is screened in ''Between the Showers,'' which causes uproarious

mirth; while another good comedy is '' The Life Savers,'' a Vitagraph production. '' The Reward " is a successful supporting drama; while the programme is concluded by "The Pathe Gazette," showing interesting war items. The same pictures will be shown again this evening and throughout to-morrow. SYDENHAM PICTURES. At the Sydenham Picture Theatre last evening a splendid new programme was shown, featured by '' The Mystery of the Sleeping Death,'' an interesting romance, in which is included a legend of India. The production has been elaborately prepared ami is of a high order of rx tllence, both the acting and the photography being of the best. The supporting members comprise an uproarious Keystone farce, "His New Profession," with Chas. Chaplin in the title role; "A Summer liesort Idyll," comedy; "The Price of a Lie," drama; and "Little Mischief," an excellent child study. The pictures will be shown again this evening and at a matinee performance to-morrow. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A richly mounted play, "King in Name Alone," is the chief item at His Majesty's Theatre this week, and is attract-

ing much patronage. The story is strongly reminiscent of Anthony Hope's "Prisoner of Zenda." The supporting programme contains films of great merit, and the war topicals include the latest "Gaumont Graphic" and a special topical, "In the Hands of the Kindly Dutch," wiiieh depicts a eorps of British tars interned in Holland. The programme will be repeated this evening, and the usual matinee performance is announced for to-morrow. COLOSSEUM. "The Mystery of the Sleeping Death," star attraction, of the current programme at the Colosseum, is an elaborately presented drama of more than ordinary interest. In it is included a legend of India. The supportnig studies comprise "Little. Mischief" (child study) "The Price of a Lie" (drama) "A Summer Resort Idyll" (comedy), "His New Profession"" (Keystone farce), and various war topicals. The programme will be repeated this evening, and as usual a inatinee performance will be given tp,morrow. "THE EVER OPEN DOOR." "The Ever Open Door," which is to be presented.-to Christchurch theatregoers by George Willoughby, Limited, to-mor-

row (Saturday) evening', at the Theatre , Royal, is a play that is universal in its theme, and makes its appeal to every class !of theatre patron. The author, George R. Sims, deals with a subject not entirely new to the stage, but one to which news- ; papers and magazines have devoted column after column, that of the rescue of waifs and strays in the great metropolis. Presidents of famous universities have discussed it, and clexgymen of all denominations have f oundit worthy to meet in one common cause to assist in providing for the waif, the stray, and the abused child of the slum. The author claims to have succeeded in bringing about situations that are interesting in a play that is clean au<J wholesome, full of action ami dramatic interest, surprises, tender pathos, amusing lines, and delightful humour. "The Ever Open Door" begins with the aristocracy:—Lady Dereham has •secretly married, she has a son (the heir to the title and estates), Lord Dereham dies ere the son is born; Lady Dereham becomes delirious, the child is stolen, and placed in the keeping of a burglar and his wife, by the cousin (and were it not~for the child he would be the successor to the Dereham title and estates) of the late earl; upon Lady Dereham's recovery she is informed that she had in a fit of madness murdered her child. Suffering from remorse and melancholy, she joins Father Clement's Mission, known as "The Ever Open Door,'' for the rescue of London waifs, and is largely instrumental in .the resurrection and saving of her son. The leading characters in the play will be portrayed by those sterling artists, Mr George ('ross and Miss Vera Remee, and they will he supported by a company of all-round excellence. The scenery and appointments will be on the same lavish scale as when the play was produced in London and Sydney. ■' The Ever Open Door" can only be produced for three nights, when it will be taken off to permit of the staging of an entirely new adaptation of Ouida's masterful novel, "Under Two Flags." The final two nights of the{ season will be occupied by "Camille," iti j which Miss Remee is said to give one of' the most artistic'performances yet seen in Australasia of the groat character. The-atre-goers are reminded that the Christchurch season is for seven nights only, and the plans for each production are now open at the Bristol (late Dresden), where seats may be marked off without any extra charge being made. Reserved seats are 3/- only, so book immediately and save any disappointment or unnecessary crushing.