THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

EVERYBODY'S Roscoc Arbuckle and Mabel Norland will appear for the amusement of patrons at Everybody's for the last time to-night. In this picture these two popular comedians have achieved their greatest success. In addition to the actual fun of the picture there are some remarkably fine settings. On Monday the photo?lay adaptation of John Strange Winter's famous book, "Bootle's Baby," will be screened for the first time. This is a delightful comedy drama of military and social life with many tense scenes, and a plot that binds the sympathies. The popular and talented actress, Edna Flugrath, is featured in the production, which is by the London Film Company, and she is supported by a powerful cast of well-known screen players. Other good pictures on the programme will be the Gaumont Graphic, "Use of the Parachute in War Time," a Vitagraph drama, and a beautiful scenic. STARLAND THEATRE. The final screening of "The Path of Happiness," a five-part Red Feather production, will take place at the Starland Theatre to-night. This is a charming photoplay featuring the fascinating young actress, Violet Mersereau. The Famous Players' Company will contribute the feature attraction next week in the form of a four-part drama entitled "Wildflower." The beauty screen star, Marguerite Clarke, takes the leading role in the picture, which is described as a delightful talc of sweet innocence and youth. It takes for its theme the depths and shallows of human life and tells a very hearttouching story of a romantic love. The supporting programme will include a 2000 ft Victor comedy and the latest Eclair Journal. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The exciting and enthralling detective drama, "The Grey Mask," will be screened at the Queen's Theatre for the last time to-night. This picture contains some remarkably fine settings, and is splendidly acted. Next week the feature attraction will be "Body and Soul," a live-part drama with a most unusual plot. It tells of a young woman who sutlers from loss of memory. She meets a Mew York sportsman with whom she falls in love. He becomes wildly jealous of her, and one day he sees ker in another man's arms. Then, in a fit of passion, he takes a knife and marks the woman in such a manner as to make her understand that her love must be for him, and him alone. Henceforth the plot develops rapid-

ly, and there is a dramatic finale. The principal parts are taken by leading American artists, including Florence Rockwell, Robert Whitworth, and George Irvine. It is supported by an excellent series of pictures. OPERA HOUSE. The current bill of the Opera House covers a wide range of subjects, but comedy turns predominate. Kitchie and Kliftie are two remarkably clever comedy acrobats, who evoked much applause last evening. The Bunty Comedy Company presented the second of their clever and amusing sketches, which was very well received. The "star" turn of the evening was presented by Starr and Starr, who are described as "the funny fat folk from 'Frisco." In the second half, Dan Thomas, the famous English comedian, was responsible for much merriment. On Monday several new artists will make their initial appearance, while on July 31 the Five Manchurians will "open a short season. GRAND THEATRE. The all-star programme at the Grand Theatre will be presented for the last time to-night. This programme covers a wide range of subjects, including a five-act Metro production entitled "A Yellow Streak." Another Metro feature is announced for Monday. This is "Her Great Price," and features the exquisite dramatic actress Mabel Taliaferro, who is new to Christchurch, but who comes with a great reputation from America. The plot of the picture is unusual, and distinctly novel. It is brimming with romance and pathos, and contains a story of intense heart interest. The settings are in keeping with the Metro Corporation's previous high standard, while the photography is beyond all praise. In addition there will be an excellent supporting programme. Y.M.C.A. The illustrated lecture, "With Our Bovs in Egypt," by Mr W. H. George, of Wellington, who went to the East at his own expense, will be divided into six parts, namely:—(l) Training in Trentham, (2) training in Egypt, (3) grand review by General Maxwell. (4) inarch through Cairo, (5) farewell review b,y General Godley, (0) scenes on march to railway station. The second half of the lecture will illustrate the activities in the Y.M.C.A. huts, hospitals, and recreation grounds, the distribution of comforts sent from the friends in New Zealand, and scenes on Gallipoli and of the fight at Mirsa Matroch, and the breaking of camp for departure for France. The lecture will take place on Wednesday evening next at the Theatre Royal.

"MOTHER GOOSE" PANTOMIME.

Commencing at the Theatre Royal on Saturday next and for a season of seven nights and two matinees, J. C. Williamson will present the famous pantomime extravaganza "Mother Goose." A deal more than the ordinary interest is attached to the enterprise owing to the unusually-prodi-gal nature of the attraction offered. The company appearing here will be in every respect the same as were in the production recently in Australia. These are chiefly English artists of unchallenged reputation, and include Misses Lilian de Venny and Maud Fane, Messrs Arthur Stigant, Albert Felino, Arthur Reynolds, Billy le Brunn, and Victor " Kelly. Added to these is an American team, Messrs Ross and Falls, whose acrobatic specialty is said to be something entirely out of the ordinary. The company numbers over 100 people, and includes a grand opera orchestra, a chorus of specially picked voices, and a complete corps de ballet. It is recognised that a bright, tuneful, and artistically staged pantomime extravaganza is a welcome relief in these days of stress and strain. "Mother Goose" possesses in an uncommon degree all the attributes that go to make a supremely successful pantomime—a popular story, music that amply satisfies the prevailing taste, a .succession of fine scenic effects, a scries of beautiful ballets, much bright business exploited by exceptionally clever comedians, and vastly amusing situations. There will be matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday week. The box plans for the season will be opened at Milner and Thompson's on Wednesday morning next. The pantomime is in two acts and 16 scenes, and is an entirely new version of the famous fairy story.

HIS MAJESTY'S. Many months were occupied in producing "Cabiria," which is to he screened at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday. D'Annunzio himself superintended the whole of the work. An immense company of actors was enrolled, and every one of them had to be specially selected, for everyone had to look the part he had to play. Then Ihcy had to be trained and taught. One scene laid in the Temple of Moloch, the hideous god of Carthage, into whose vitals infant children were hurled alive, as sacrifices, could not be photographed for eight months. The actors were all rehearsed, but they had to be long haired. Wigs were tried, but they gave an unreal effect, and the final presentation of the scene was postponed until the actors' hair grew to the proper length. One of the stupendous features of the film is the passage of the Alps by the Carthagenian army. The actors with their armour, horses and elephants, stoves and baggage of all sorts, actually were made to struggle against the snows and avalanches of the Alps to reproduce this scene. In the course of it 48 were seriously injured. The picture was completed at Turin, in Italy, and was produced with wonderful success first in Rome and afterwards in New York and Paris.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The iinal presentation of the current programme at the Sydenham pictures, "headed by "The Woman's Share," will take place to-night. On Monday the gigantic spectacle "Cabiria" will he presented for the first time. This Him, which is produced by the. Itala Company, is 10,000 ft in length, and look two years to produce. It contains some wonderful scenes, including thel burning of the Roman licet. OLYMPIA RINK. This evening the distribution of prizes won at the great carnival held during the week will lake place. Today the rink will be open during the usual sessions, and in the evening the Olympia Hand will be in attendance. The lloor is at present in a very fine condition, and intending patrons should not miss the opportunity of making themselves proficient in the ail of skating. "H.M.S. PINAFORE/' At lasl evening's performance of "H.M.S. Pinafore," a number of invalided soldiers ami nurses from the general hospital were present. The pinafore presented to Mr Sidney Williamson was again sold by auction, the sum of .ft being obtained for it. The final presentation of the opera will be given to-night.