THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 736, 20 June 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. The old-time disinclination to regard the music hall as a place of entertainment to which one could lake his wife, mother, or sisters without some apprehension lest offence would he given has, happily, been banished by managerial determina-

tion to provide only the cleanest lurns. The bills provided week after week at the Opera House have, by their wholesomeness and absolute freedom from anything that the prude could take exception to, grown in popularity until vaudeville has at last taken its proper place among the most favoured entertainments of the people. Last night the new programme attracted a big house, and the bill was of such a meritorious character that it is safe to predict for it a most successful run. The new acts included Dorando, a Chinese impersonator, who is so aggravatingly like the real thing that the audience is at first inclined to take his Celestial patter seriously. He j plays on all sorts of weird-looking i instruments, and tills up the inter-1 vals with gags which never fail to get home. Barnes and Barnes provide a clever, daring, and gracefully worked balancing and posing act, one of the best in the line that has been seen for a long lime. Grade Quine scored heavily with her descriptive ballads, and is a charming artist. The Cowboy Comedian Jack Martin does some clever things with the lariat, and presents a unique wild west performance which is interspersed with original palter. Another turn that was much to the liking of the audience was lhat of the Harrison Stewarts, a pair of coloured comedians, who sing well, and introduced a lot ef palatable humour into their work. Carlton Max, the ventriloquist, continues his success, while Agnes Rawes sings new songs as pleasingly and as acceptably as before. Sidney Jones, "the Welsh rarebit," does a smart burlesque, his piano playing being clever. Merlon and Rydon provide another boisterous sketch, which has much much in the way of humour and cleverness to commend it. A capital hill is completed by the remarkable acrobatic display of Tiny Tot Marjorie and Little Eileen.

STARLAND THEATRE. (ireal interest has been evinced in the four-reel, lied Feather feature, entitled "The White Scar," al present showing at the Starland Theatre. Many magniJicent sellings are contained, the action being set in the forests of Canada, and in and about the trading posls of Hudson Bay. A picture of great industrial interest is "From Pig Iron to Parlour," which shows the vast works of the General Electric Company in America. An animated song picture, "Silver Threads Among the Gold," is being .shown during the day sessions only. Ample humour is provided for in "His Speedy Affair," while all the latest war views are contained in the Eclair Journal. HIS MAJESTY'S. East evening a charming drama, "The Dawn of To-morroy," was the big item on the programme at his Majesty's. Mary Pickford, the darling of all "movie" patrons, played the leading role. In "The Dawn of To-morrow" she portrays the character of "Glad," a ragged girl in a squalid Loudon slum. How she saves her lover from the consequences of a false charge of murder, and restores to an even balance, of health the wealthy man who, in the guise of a beggar, strays into "Apple Blossom Court," on the verge of physical and mental collapse, is vividly told by the pictures. Another delightful story, of the comedy drama type, is "The Conquest of Constanlia." Conslantia is an old maid who is devoted to Sultan, her cat, while in the cottage next door Jives a young widow who is devoted to Teddy, her little boy. One day Sultan is stolen, but is resrued and restored to his owner by Teddy, who thus completely wins Constantia's heart, and the Iwo

I households become closely knit togethcr in the bonds of friendship, j The Pathe Gazette was interesting and topical. An educational film showing phases of the cocoa and chocolate industry was included. I

EVERYBODY'S. Chester Conkiin is reigning this week at Everybody's for the happiness of Christchurch picture-goers. He is seen in a very humorous Key-stone-Triangle comedy entitled "Dizzy Heights and Daring Hearts." The picture is produced by Mack Sennett, and contains a terrific succession of startling sensations, in-

eluding the dynamiting of a huge chimney stack. Some really wonderful aeroplanic feats are also de-; picted. The final scene, where Chester Conkiin is seen emerging from the ruins of the chimney stack,is the most successful, bul the picture is full of merriment from start to finish. Other good pictures include "The God's Redeem" (a Vitagraph drama), Topical Gazette, "Yprcs, the Shell-shattered City," and a Mr and Mrs Sydney Drew comedy. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Many World Film Corporation features have been seen at the Queen's Theatre of late, but the one at present showing, entitled "Bought," is of an entirely different nature. It tells a very unusual, bul [enthralling, story of a man who re-

ceived a good position and a large reward for marrying the daughter of a rich man. The picture shows how, after the marriage, the wife despises her "bought" husband and intrigues with, other men. The way in which the salvation of man and wife is effected, and the idyllic love which comes with the reconciliation, is a delightful surprise. In addition other good pictures are shown, including an excellent series of war pictures.

GRAND THEATRE. A live-act Metro, production is again the star feature of this week's programme at the Grand Theatre. This is entitled "Pennington's Choice," and features Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne, two sure, attractions. The scene of the play is laid in the West of Canada, and some splendid settings are included. Miss Beverly Bayne is seen in some wonderful diving feats, while .1. J. Jeffries, the famous boxer, is shown as the friend and boxing trainer of Pennington. The picture shows the test undertaken by ;t young man to prove lfis worth in the eyes of his lover's lather. Other pictures include an Essanay comedy. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Mary Pickford, in her greatest triumph, "The Dawn of a To-mor-row," is to he seen this week at the Sydenham Pictures. In this picture she is acknowledged to have achieved her greatest triumph since "Tess of the Storm Country." OLYMPIA RINK. That roller skating is still booming in Chrislchureh is evidenced by the scores of skaters who patronise the Olympia Pink daily. In the evenings the enjoyment of patrons is still further enhanced by the music I supplied by (he Olympia Band.