THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 438, 6 July 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. "I'M SORRY." Opera Houlse patrons are loyal to their favourite place of amusement, and It must be admitted that of late they have been given every reason for loyalty. Last night another well-filled house was given a plenitude of entertainment by the Stanhope Revue Company, and the four excellent turns ■which make up the first half of the programme. The new revue, "I'm Sorry," is not less funny than the others. The title is only a name whereby to distinguish it from other revues, for it seems to have no relation whatever to the '' plot,'' if there is .a plot discernible in this new medley. The show is just such a good-humoured, farcical, merry, bright, and lightsome jumble of jokes, fooling, singing, and dancing as the other productions. Mr Paul Stanhope and Mr Les Bates carry off most of the fooling between them, Mr Stanhope being as whimsically ridiculous as he can be, and Mr Bates aiding and abetting him with equally mirthful results. Those who have seen the company are satisfied enough to see it again. The 'Frisco Quartet produces some new" harnionisings this week, and is as enthusittsticallv applauded as It has been in the past. The Beauty Chorus, with a difference in costumes, is the same lissome", attractive chorus, Miss Fritzee de Guy sings as quaintly and vivaciously as before and dances as -lightly, and Miss Ruby Kennedy's singing and acting makes no small part of the enjoyment. Maud and Gill are in their final week,

and repeat their remarkable gymnas- - tics. Those who have hot seen this agile pair are advised to do so, since it is one of the best of .its kind ever engaged by the management. Maud is nimble daintiness personified, and Gill is the personification of humorous agility. The Musical Goolmans also remain to produce harmony from a number of unusual instruments, the most novel of all being their alarm clocks. They receive a warm reception always, and deserve it. Mr George Edwards, assisted by Miss Rosie Parkes, introduces a new tondget of jest, patter, and song. A new turn, and a clever one, is that given by the Three Buddies, two small girls and a very diminutive boy who is billed as the "Miniature Charles Chaplin," and who really does give a good imitation of that popular "movie" comedian. The Ruddles are singers, tumblers, and balancers, but the acrobatic Bide of their work bulks largest and is the best. The programme at the Opera House this week is in every way up to the high standard set of late. Next ■week this company will be replaced by Jack Waller's "Butterflies," a clever group of singers, comedians, and musicians. THEATRE ROYAL. "Who's the Lady?" was played before a crowded house last night for the last time. To-night "The Chaperon" •will be produced for the last appearance in Christehureh of "The Glad Eye" Company. In one of London's smartest restaurants, Mr Pottinger, M.P., free for a time from the importunities of his constituents, and from the surroundings of a home ruled ever by a severe wife, a mother-in-law responsible for her feringing-up, and a sister-in-law always as a true and loyal militant suffragette should be, ready for the fray, finds himself the host of a charming guest. Is he not wise to avail himself of one of the provisions of the restaurant, where they are to diue and engage the services of the professional chaperon kept on'the-premises? . Of course, it is unfortunate if, in the absence of the professional chaperon, who, by the way, is a man, you have to engage an amateur whose lack of training manifests itself in his falling in love with your guest. That was the position that Mr Pottinger found himself in, and was far from enjoying the situation when the scene was changed by the arrival of Mrs Pottinger and an escorting party, who have also come to dine. Pottinger at once introduces the chaperon, Hilary Chester, and the guest, Rosamond Gaythorno, as his great friends, Mr and Mrs Wellington Jones! Mrs Pottinger •is delighted to meet her husband's friends; she must entertain them in her own home. Won't they come? 1 "Of course they will," says Hilary, and come they do for a day, but circumstances continue the day into a night! The box office is at Mjlner and Thompson 's. HIS MAJESTY'S.

"L-il o' London," a well-staged and skilfully-constructed drama by the London Photoplay Company, Was the

principal attraction at His Majesty's last evening. The plot is developed along feasible lines, with the light and shade of comedy and tragedy ingeniously contrasted, as is often the case in real life episodes. Lil and her baby brother are the occupants of a slum i attic. Lil, a mere child herself, clings [ to her small brother with that heroic • devotion which all the squalid and sin- • ister surroundings have failed to stifle. [ Her father is a fugitive from justice. - A wealthy young clubman tak'es com- ■ passion on Lil and the little boy, and i escorts them to his flat, where, with • the aid of his valet, he makes them comfortable and happy. But the even s tenor of the story is then'abruptly dis- • turbed by tragedy, in which the un- ; reasoning, childish jealousy of Lil plays » a part, but a happy termination is s eventually readied. The supporting films were all good, a ludicrously funny item being a Keystone comedy, i" Hogan's Aristocratic Dream." A delightful scenic screened beauty spots in picturesque California, and showed, in most, interesting contrast, the changes that have taken place since the pioneers of the country first "blazed the trail," and the conditions of the present day. '' The Phantom Thief" is a compelling Edison drama, and is the one, by the way, which won the "Dramatic Mirror" prize. It is the story of the love of an artist for the sitter whose portrait he has painted, a lady of high degree. She returns his love, and remains true to him, although her parents look with scorn upon his suit. A model who has been employed "in his studio, and who has fallen in love with the young artist, conceives a jealous hatred of the lady whom he loves, and hatches a plot to part them. True love triumphs in the end, and the "curtain" is a charming one. A comedy-drama, "William Henry Jones's Courtship," and the Path 6 Gazette are also included in the programme. The latter contains a budget of highly interesting "illustrated news, and auspiciously opens a most attractive programme. EVERYBODY'S. A picture of the New Zealanders in Egypt, before leaving for the Dardanelles, is the chief attraction at Everybody's this week. .The mounted men and infantry are shown during the strenuous training in the desert, and the photography is so good as to enable patrons to recognise friends among the men. "Fixing Their Dads" is a bright comedy, telling in a very humorous fashion how two lovers win their respective fathers over to eonsent to the match. An amusing series of cartoons is shown, and the European Gazette has something out of the ordinary in topical views. "In Fear of His Past" is an appealing drama which maintains interest up to the last flicker. "Hogan's Upset Eomance" is a Keystone coined}', featuring the popular artist Charles Murray. It is full of Hogan's characteristic humour. the "globe. The intrusion of the green-eyed monster into the domestic life of a clever artist, and the misery which results for all, is shown in the drama "In Her Mother's Footsteps." The daughter, who grows up to be very like her mother, is instrumental in reconciling the couple, and brings the drama to a very fitting conclusion. An "Australian Gazette," showing the South African war memorial in Sydney, and a fine scenic are shown, together with a Vitagraph comedy, "Too Much Burglar," "From a Life of Crime" (drama), and "Feathered Acrobats" (animal and I bird study). SYDENHAM PICTURES. A fine drama is showing at the Sydenham Pictures this week, entitled "Lil o' Loudon." It deals with the adventures of a slum girl, she being a character taken from real life. "Hogan's Aristocratic Dream" is a Keystone, featuring the new favourite, Chas. Murray. Other films are "The Phantom Thief" (drama), "Picturesque California" (scenic), and "The War Gazette." THE BELGIAN ARTISTS. In the Choral Hall to-night, Mile. Nybcrg and M. Saldaigno will give their first concert. Their visit has aroused considerable interest in. local musical circles. The concert will be under the auspices of the Poor of Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium Relief Fund, and half of the proceeds will go to Belgium for relief of distress. Mrs Osmond Smith will preside at the piano, and assistance has been volunteered by Mrs J. Russell (piano), Mrs J. Guthrie < ('cello), Miss N. Mclntyre (Viola), , Miss I. Norris (violin); and Mr. George j March. Mile Nyberg, who is a Grand ■ Prix: of the Antwerp Conservatoire of i Music, will play "La Fileuse" (Raph), j

i "Polonaise in C" (Chopin), and "AufI schwecng" (Schumann). The box plan ! is open at The Bristol, and days sales • are at the Toy Cave. "CINDERELLA." 1 The sensational success achieved in ' Sydney by J., 0. Williamson's gor- ; geous pantomime, "Cinderella," to be staged here for the first time at the ■ Theatre Royal on Monday night next, ■ prevented the management from send- ; iiig it to New Zealand as early as was originally intended, and consequently 1 the Dominion tour has had to be cur--1 tailed, so that positively only six even--1 ing representations and two afternoon performances (on Wednesday and Saturday, July 14 and 17) can be staged 1 in Christehurch. It was generally con--1 ceded in Sydney that "Cinderella" ' eclipses from all points of view all previous pantomimes staged by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management. Features of "Cinderella" are the delightfully tuneful songs and the richly scored music which run through the 18 gorgeous scenes. In the first act a remarkable effect is achieved by the' transformation of the kitchen attached to the baroiiial hall into a fairy boudoir, when Cinderella is surrounded by hosts of pretty girls who prepare her for the ball. . Another dazzling picture shows the electrically jewelled carriage drawn by four bounding ponies, on the way to the ball. The final tableau to the -first act presents Cinderella stepping out of the rose silk lined carriage into the Prince's gorgeous and radiant ballroom. The pantomime abounds in screamingly humorous scenes, including one entitled "Breaking into the Castle," in which Mr Barry Lupino performs some remarkably funny acrobatic feats. The uproariously funny harlequinade introduced by Mr Barry Lupino at the matinee performance proved a great attraction in Sydney to the grown-ups as well as to the children. The box plans will be opened at Milner and Thompson's on Friday evening next at 9 o'clock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.