THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 762, 20 July 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

SKATING CARNIVAL. The Olympia Rink presented a rare spectacle of colour and gaiety last night, when the grand fancy dress I carnival was opened. Before 7.30 p..m a crowd had collected around fee doors, and by the time the carnival was in full swing the floor was filled with the fancy dressed skaters, and the seating accommodation was taxed by the large crowd of spectators. At 8 o'clock all the skaters took part in the grand march, which was very prettily carried out, and gave the spectators an opportunity of seeing the various dresses before fee skaters dashed olf, making the scene one whirl of colour. There was a good variety of costumes, ineluding poster, comic, and fancy dresses. The comedy policemen and fee clowns provoked roars of laughter, and incidentally gave exhibitions of splendid fancy skating. A Spanish dancer, Dolly Varden, and two young ladies, who by their costumes had escaped from the land of veiled women and harem skirts, were among the most noticeable of the ladies' costumes. Among the gentlemen competitors were some very good Indians, a Cardinal Wolsey, and tramps, soldiers, etc. One of fee best fancy dresses was a representation of an army aeroplane. During the evening Mr and Mrs Harold Ragg gave an exhibition of Sancy skating. The flat, hurdle, and novelty races provided sensation and amusement, and the final of these will be held to-night. The various prizes are awarded by the vote of fee spectators, and the winners of IhtFsc will be decided to-night. The whole carnival, as managed and directed by Mr Arthur L. Power, was a distinct success. The following are the results of fee races held last night:— Half-mile Hurdles.—Craze :80jt!s 1, H. Jtiddle ser 2, C. .Ternian scr H. Ladies' Fan and Balloon Race.—Miss Piper i, Miss Larue '£■ Couples' Mace.- -Miss Dyer and 11. Jerman *, Miss Piper and G. Piercy 2, Miss Wrenn nari C. Jerman 3. H.M.S. PINAFORE. Owing to the success of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, "H.M.S. Pinafore," played by local artists, it has been decided to extend the season to include Friday and Saturday evenings. Last evening the "house full" sign was put up an at early hour. Mr Jennings, of Messrs Pyne and #o., sold the pinafore presented to Mr Sidney Williamson, and the following bids were received:—Mr A.'Bovle £5 5/-, Mr McDonald £1 M-, Mesdames Jennings, S. Williamson, J. Muni, Geo. Rhodes, and Hutcheson, fkrioncl Chaffey, I)r Will, and Messrs Len Bowron, Meddings (Ashburton), Manning, Lewis, Buss, F. Fox, Cunningham, Seth Smith, Hunter, A. Steeds, Perkins, Geo. Barrel!, T. Robson, 11. McLean, J. McLean, and Master Bex Bailey, each £l.

OPERA HOUSE. The, Opera House was well patronised last evening. The excellent programme of vaudeville was well received. Nelson and Nelson, (he famous comedians on stilts, together with Burt's Dogs, and The Kerlines, will make their final appearance on Saturday night. Dan Thomas, the famous English comedian, is receiving a great ovation nightly, and the Bunty Comedy Company also comes in for a large share of the oppkiu.se. This week the company is presenting another sketch, entitled "MePhcrson's Wooing." In addition there is a varied programme of other clever and entertaining turns. EVERYBODY'S. Pioscoe Arhuckle and Mabel Norniand convulsed large audiences at nil sessions yesterday al Everybody's, where Ihey are appearing in the latest Keystone-Triangle success, entitled "Fatty and Mabel Adrift." After their marriage, Patty and Mabel go to live by the sea.. One night, during a storm, their little home is blown out lo sea, and the pair wake up lo find all their furniture floating about in 3fl of water. Their struggles in the water hold the audience in shrieks of laughter.

Eventually, however, they are rescued just as the house is about to sink. There is a good supporting programme, including several good topical pictures.

HIS MAJESTY'S. r "The Iron Strain," this week's feature play at His Majesty's Theatre, contains two accomplished artists, Dustin Farnum and Enid Markey, whose work in this production is impressive and vivid. No picture play ever screened in New Zealand has made the sensation created by "Cabiria," the huge film play which is to be shown at His Majesty's Theatre next Monday. The Itala Film Company which produced the film at Turin undertook the screening of it in Americaj and reaped a rich har--1 vest. The production of the film cost the company over £IOO,OOO. "Cabiria" is a thrilling play in which all the major incidents of the first world war are introduced. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The excellent programme of pictures showing at the Queen's Theatre attracted large audiences yesterday. The chief item is a Shubert Corporation production entitled "The Grey Mask," featuring Edwin Arden and Barbara Tennant. It tells an excellent detective story. The atmosphere is healthy, and there are plenty of thrills. One scene shows a motor car plunging over a steep cliff into a river. Another feature of the picture is the splendid photography. A supporting programme of comedy and topical items is also shown. STARLAND THEATRE. The premier attraction at the Starland Theatre this week is a Red Feather Broadway feature with Violet Mersereau in the leading role. She plays the part of a child of Nature, living alone in the woods with her father. Her only other companionship is that of the animals of the forest. She is happy in her little sylvan world, but with the death of her father her life changes to one of misgiving. Then she meets a wealthy society man who is in search of health and happiness. There is a happy conclusion. GRAND THEATRE. The all-star programme at present being screened at the Grand Theatre, has been responsible for large attendances at all sessions. The main item is a five-act Metro production entitled "A Yellow Streak," featuring Lionel Barrymore and Irene Howley. It tells an excellent story*6f the western- minefields, and there are several touches of comedy. In addition it contains some wonderful exhibitions of horsemanship. Mary Pickford is appearing in an old Biograph production, "My Baby," in which she plays opposite Henry B. Walthall.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. A change of programme will take place al the Sydenham Pictures tonight, when the star item will be "The Woman's Share," a fascinating emotional drama. On Monday that great dramatic masterpiece of Gabriel d'Annunzio, entitled "Cabiria," will be screened for the first time. WITH OUR BOYS IN EGYPT. A message from Lloyd George: "You cannot speak too highly of the valuable work which has been done by the association since the war began in providing "huts" and various other comforts for our gallant troops." The Hon. Mr Birrell said: "The association is most heartily commended in the Cabinet." lie spoke of the association work organised by the Canadians as "beyond compare." Dr Grenfel wrote: "One can't help feeling what a real Christlike work the Y.M.C.A. is doing. It serves. The secretaries render a thousand little services, all of which count. Secretaries are veritable 'Kims' of the war area." Mi- W. H. George wili give an illustrated lecture, "With Our Boys in Egypt," in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, 26th insl., in aid of a 0)00 hostel for New Zealand soldiers in London. The popularity of this lecture at Wellington was shown by an audience of .'{ooo people.