THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

THE ROYAL STROLLERS. A satisfied audience is the best advertisement.a show can have, and the audience which laughed continuously at the humour of the Royal Strollers at the Theatre Royal last night was certainly well satisfied that the Strollers were all that was claimed for them. The company is not the ordinary costume comedy company but something distinctive in manner and methods. There is nothing stiff or formal in their show, and nothing raucous, but an effect of being at friendly ease with the audience. The items given by the Strollers are many and clever; the ancient ditty concerning the "Three Blind Mice" may not seem lo lend itself to the jester's purpose, but it becomes distinctly amusing when the Strollers show how Handel, Tchaikovski and other composers would have set it. The medleys of the company are excellent, but not more excellent than the individual items. To hear Chief Stroller James iniilatively illustrate songs and singers, from the juvenile alto in a sentimental ballad to the tenor of the Italian school, is to realise at once that he is an inimitable comedian. Sydney James carries the greater pari of the humour of Ihe company, and"** particularly good in his vehIriloquial turn. Most people are tired of ventriloquists, but Sydney James is not Ihe usual ventriloquist, and his ease, his quiet manner, and the excellence of his jests makes Billy, the dummy, a first favourite with Ihe audience. Miss Madeline Rossiter is a graceful dancer whose lissonieness is as attractive as her singing, and Miss Gwen Lewis shows herself a delightful entertainer in her songs at the piano. There is also Mr George Grayslone, who was equally appreciated for his singing when last here with the Court Cards. G. W. Desmond, another nimble dancer who expresses fun with his undulatory legs, and Connie Milne, whose singing wins her approving plaudits. The Strollers, garbed in costumes suggesting the 12lh century and Robin Hood, stroll oil' and on the slage and, collectively and individually, with solos, duos and concerted numbers, keep the audience happy throughout. They conclude their programme with a shriek in burlesque—a parody of '"liie Movies." First they impersonate the audience thrilled with the picture drama, and then they enact flic tragedy, and it is difficult to say whether they are funnier as the audience or as Ihe actors, but it is certain that Ihe whole thing is liacked with laughter. The Strollers have I heir own orchestra which helps them considerably, and altogether they provide a happy and unique entertainment which can he cordially commended lo all who like to laugh. They will appear again this evening. OPERA HOUSE. Last evening at Ihe Opera House patrons were bountifully amused with Ihe bright and entertaining "revusical" success, "Full Steam Ahead" by Ihe Victor Prince Comedy Co. In fun, and catchy musical numbers, and spectacular effects generally. "Full Steam Ahead" is quite equal lo Ihe first revue slaged under the same direction, "The Midnight Club." Victor Prince was excellent as Jimmie Pannikin, a jolly .lack Tar, and his songs, "Make Me Laugh" and "The Crocodile" wenl particularly well with Ihe audience. Mr Carey, as .lack Hunter, a naval nlliccr, was also filled with a pari that Milled him excellently, and he, likewise, had some good songs, including "Had; in Ballinasloc." Another musical number much appreciated was the trio "When You're Good You're Lonely," by Miss Colenso, Miss Lsdaile, Mr Zoli, and Ihe chorus. These are jusl a few of Ihe many excellent things in Ihe revue, which rippled along from rise lo drop of curtain without a dull moment. The remainder of the programme was occupied by various artists. Mr Geo. dully. Ihe Loudon comedian, was very successful in his songs and ee-

I centric dancing, Ihc former including one which the audience partij cularly enjoyed—"She Used to he the Slowest Girl in Town." The ide Baker's models, in their beautiful statuary poses, were u feature of | the programme and the coloured I comedians, Billy Brown and Sorlie George, made a big hit in "The , Ghost of the Violin," amplified and added to, until it was a musical comedy instead of a song. All' Holt managed to hold the audience's atlen- ; tion for quite a lengthy turn with his imitations of sounds at the zoo, in the farmyard, at Lyttelton harbour, etc. He is quite clever, and his ! patter fills up the brief pauses j amusingly and keeps the audience pleased and happy. The (dockers, Charles and Anna, are hilled as comedy water jugglers, and are responsible for a clever and original turn. One of Charles ('docker's feats consists in whirling a couple of buckets round and round at a madly exciting rate without spilling a j drop. Anna can do some clever water juggling stunts too, and when i she isn't thus occupied she supplies j comedy and stage decoration. The programme will be repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S. "Niobc," the delightful comedy introduced to Australasian theatre--goers over two decades ago by the talented Brough-Boucicault Company, is the subject of an artistic I adaptation in motion picture by the | Famous Players' Company, which I was presented at His Majesty's last I evening. Miss Hazel Dawn, the graceful theatrical "star" of the Amei rican stage, who lately scored a big 'success in "The Debutante," interprets the leading role. The plot, 'which is laid in the present time, shows that one Peter Amos Dunn, | president of an insurance company, I brings to his own-house, for safe ! keeping, the £20,000 statue of Niobc, [which has been heavily insured with his company. While installing electrical lighting in Ihc house the workmen roll the wires around the statue at the conclusion of their day's work. Dunn's wife, sister-in-law, and others go to the theatre, and he falls ; asleep in the silting room. He suddenly sees the statue come to life ; through the effect of the electrical current that passes through the i wires. Dunn (inds himself in a delicate yet most amusing position in trying to explain to his shocked wife and other members of his household Ihe presence of the scantily-clad woman. At first Dunn pretends that I Niobc is the new governess who was expected to arrive, but this subter-j fuge is revealed by the arrival of the real governess. The denouement 'comes as something of a surprise. iThe supporting pictures are of the host. GLOBE THEATRE. A rclined and clever comedy which >had a big run in the North Island is featured in the current programme at the Globe Theatre. This is "Helen's Babies," a comedy photoplay with much delightful humour in it. Some clevei' children play a leading role in this picture, and add much lo its humour. The story concerns a young man who is unexpectedly asked lo lake charge of his sister's house and children for a short time. lie does so. willi results that make an exccllenl and entertaining picture. There are several good subjects in support. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new programme presented at ; the Queen's Theatre yesterday was headed by a World Film Corporation drama, entitled "The Pit." This is a pictorial version of Frank Nor- : ris's novel of the same name, and makes an excellent live-act photoplay. The story makes an interesting picture. The production is I splendidly staged, and the scenic. 1 elf eels are done in Ihc best style of Ihc World Film Corporation. The story concerns one Curtis, a rich man who deals heavily in slocks, lie makes a large fortune, but is not satisfied, and desires lo become a power in the money market. In 'order lo make huge profits on a corner in wheal he plunges heavily, and lis ruined. The conclusion of Ihc

play is very interesting. Supporting pictures are: "In the Country of Flowers," a beautiful scenic; and i'The Syndicate Lover," an excellent ' George Ade satire. EVERYBODY'S. All those who have seen "The j Submarine Pirate" at Everybody's ; declare it lo be one of the best ] comedies of its special kind ever \ seen here. Syd. Chaplin has ever been a favourite with picture patI rons, but it is doubtful if anyone ! knew before that he was such a i good all round comedian. He does j amazing juggling and tumbling tricks, combined, and works it all !in with a most humorous plot. He j is first seen as a waiter in a restaui rant, where he overhears two plotters talking. He steals their plans, , and, after numerous indescribably I funny adventures, he takes command !of a submarine. His adventures as ja submarine pirate are many and | amusing, and succeed in keeping the I audience in a laughing mood from j start to finish. Dramatic and topical subjects conclude the proi gramme. SYDENHAM PICTURES. "Niobc," the cleverly produced Famous Players' comedy, was screened before an appreciative audience lat the Sydenham Pictures last evenling. In the first place Niobc is a |: statue made 3000 years ago. Being iof great value, the statue is insured ; heavily, and the president of the insurance company, wishing to take no j risks, takes the valuable work of art home with him. The statue comes to life, and there are many anxious | and embarrassing moments for the great man. There is a good supporting programme of scenic and comedy (subjects. j GRAND THEATRE. j Olga Petrova, the beautiful and I fascinating actrcsy who was first j seen at the Grand recently in "The j Vampire," is starring in this week's [production, which is entitled "The j Heart of a Painted Woman." The i leading role is especially suited to : the personality and talent of Mme. I Petrova. The story is somewhat . original and of great power. The ; principal character is a girl of poor I parents, who goes to New York City ito take up singing. She drifts from I that to posing as an artist's model, ; and, later, her life takes many I strange turns. The "Black Box" .' was shown for the first time to-day, j and proved lo be as interesting as j the preceding instalments. i WILLARD-JOHNSON FIGHT PICTURE. | The moving pictures of the great j heavy-weight ■ boxing championship j match between Jesse Willard and Jack Johnson, the famous coloured ; fighter, will be shown at the King's iTheatre finally this evening. There I have been large attendances during : the engagement of the picture here, and a large crowd is anticipated at j the last screening to-night. The ; films are remarkably clear, and give a faithful representation "of the greal light, besides close views of the [principals and their training quarters.