THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 426, 22 June 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. "FUN ON A FARM." Anyone who goes to the Opera House ■with one of those ' ' I defy you to make me laugh'' on him might just as well stay at home and nurse his complaint with liver pills. The burlesquers don't try to cater for that sort of perBOn —they are wiser, and go out after the people who haven't got any charge of serious mismanagement to lay against the universe, the people who are young enough/- to laugh, healthy enough and thoroughly willing to laugh when the excuse is forthcoming. This burlesque company gives plenty of excuses for mirth, and it has found its audience. There was a good house last night, and it was not disappointed. Last week's medley of mirth had prepared . these laughter-seekers for a generous helping of fooling, frolic, and fun, and they ■were given as much of this cobwebclearing mixture as before, and even more. "Fun on a Farm" may be a revue, a burlesque, or a farce, but it doesn't matter in the least what it is called, and it certainly isn't a story. The company has these assets —clever artists in broad eomedy, some pleasant voices, several graceful dancers, and a plentiful reserve store of rollicking fun. Paul Stanhope in this sketch is disguised as the sort of farmhand no farm hand could possibly be, and his grotesque make-up, his absurdities in action and facial contortion, his whimsicalities, and ridiculous utterances provide an inexhaustible reservoir of laughter. Then there is Les Bates as Si Perkins, farmer, village constable, and boss of the place—the carricature of an American "hayseed" stepped straight from the comic supplement of an American paper. He is not less numorously. grotesque than Paul Stanhope, and between the two of them the house is kept in roars of laughter. There is plenty doing on this farm, specially invented by the Stanhope Revue Company, and it is mostly hilarious fooling, but there is gracefulness and good singing'too. The ridiculous dances of Messrs Stanhope, Bates, and Harry Ross give place to quite dainty choruses who dance well, who are part of the frolic, and who are goodly to look upon. When they get going with Les Bates in the lead, or, better still, with Miss Fritzee de -Guy lissomely leading, they are a pleasure to watch. The dancing of Miss Fritzee de Guy is expert and lithe, and she has a vivacity which carries her songs further than her voice. There is Miss Rube Kennedy too, who gets her fair measure of applause for her singing. It is not only the hilarity of jokes and situations that Opera House patrons approve, for the songs with chorus, and particularly the singing of the 'Frisco quartet, were as well received as anything last night. The quartet ' won whole-hearted approval by its singing df Offenbach's'' Barcarolle,'' and had to deliver two more items before' the audience was satisfied to let them go. "Fun on the Farm" is-- commended as a gay farce gaily presented. The first half of the programme is overshadowed by the second half which the Stanhope Company fills, but it has its merits. Ida Jarvis, serio and dan-

cer, has a voice that does not lack volume, and a manner which is bright, and natiirally she as approved. The violin of that anonymous musician, "The Musical Sundowner," is made to produce airs that are ever popular, and always appreciated. Effie Fellowes, billed as "the Australian Boy Girl," has a voice of such quality as to leave one in doubt as to her sex, did not the programme definitely style her "Miss." The first half concludes with the comedy juggling turn of George Campbell, who is as good a comedian as he is a juggler. The bill presented this week contains plenty of mirth, plenty of good, clean entertainment, and it is satisfying a big demand. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A picture that recalls vividly the American Civil War was the principal film at His Majesty's last night. "A Question of Courage" shows, in its opening scenes, a soldier's widow who bravely decides to allow her three sons to enlist when war is declared. The three young men join the Northern forces. The two elder sons meet their end under heroic circumstances. The loss of the two causes a reaction in the patriotic spirit of the mother, who becomes so grief-stricken that when the younger son visits her she tells him that if he continues with the Forces she will shoot herself. Acting under the. mother's instructions, the housekeeper puts some sleeping powder in a cup of tea, which the son drinks, and soon afterwards falls into a drugged sleep. A squad of soldiers arrive, and the young man is arrested for desertion. He is tried by court martial and ordered to be shot. The general learns of the circumstances and intercedes. The son is pardoned and is given a chance to redeem himself in the ranks again, while his mother rejoices at the boy's life being spared. There are,a number of excellent supporting films, including a pretty little drama, "The Better Way," featuring Lilian Gish. A most interesting industrial picture showed the various processes employed in manufacturing paper money in the United States. "The needs of commerce" takes the observer inside the immense building where the notes are printed, and then to the vaults of the Treasury, where the money is stored. The film is produced under the auspices of the U.S. Treasury Department. The "Pathe War Gazette" was full of illustrations of the latest war news, and another series of Dudley Buxton's clever lightning sketch cartoons made an exceedingly diverting film. A powerful drama with a compelling heart interest was called "The Human Investment,' and a' hilarious Keystone comedy, "Fatty, Mabel, and the Law," was the final item in an excellent programme, which will be repeated nightly. THEATRE ROYAL. "THE VIOLETS." That bright combination, "The Violets," appeared again last evening to a large audience. The special heating of the theatre proved a boon to patrons. The audience enjoyed the bright and varied programme to the full. To-night there will be a complete change of programme, when the latest "hits" from the principal music halls will be introduced.

GLOBE THEATRE. An excellent programme is being screened this week at the Globe Theatre. It is headed by a Russian drama, entitled "War's Heart Blood." It is a line film, giving many glimpses of the Russian Cossack, and portraying a series of tragic events in the lives of two brothers —Ivan and Gregori —and their rivalry in love. This picture is supported by a good programme, comprising "Bill Squares it with.-His Boss," a comedy of a new type," "While Auntie Bounced," also a comedy, a fine scenic depicting Australian cities, and a fine Nature study, "Birds in Spring." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The programme at Everybody's this week is headed by a film which is bound to prove popular, "War is Hell." It deals with the horrors of the German invasion of Belgium, and impresses tyn the picture patron the blessings of peace. Some realistic fighting is vividly portrayed, and it depicts the eviction of the Germans from a part of the Belgian soil, and the ultimate return of peace and prosperity of that little country. A most entertaining picture js a Keystone, called "Hogan's Mussy Job," being the further adventures of that Keystone plumber who has a habit of insobriety. A drama of the sensational type is one by the Kalem Company, entitled "The Death Train." This picture deals with a gang of counterfeiters and their capture. "The Evolution of Percival" is a very amusing comedy, and an industrial picture, "Making Khaki," and the usual war topicals, complete the programme. SYDENHAM PICTURES The chief attraction at the Sydenham Pictures last evening was a film entitled "A Question of Courage," a fine war story. It was supported by a varied programme of good pictures, comprising '' The Better Way'' (comedy), '' Dudley Burton's War Cartoons" (topical), "Needs of Commerce" (a fine industrial), "Fatty, Mabel, and the Law" (Keystone farce), and the latest War Gazette.