THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 866, 18 November 1916, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Those who have not yet seen "The Stepping Stone" at Everybody's are reminded that a final opportunity to do so will be afforded this evening. It is a powerful play, well acted, and superbly mounted. It has many dramatic situations, to which a strong cast, headed by Frank Keenan and Mary Boland, do the fullest justice. CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG. Nexl week the leading feature will be a dramatic study, "The Feast of Life," which is the story of a beautiful Cuban girl, Aurora Fernandez (Clara Kimball Young), the daughter of a poor but aristocratic mother, who forces her lo marry Don Armada, a wealthy Cuban. The love of Aurora, however, is centred in Pedro, a young fisherman, who lives with his uncle Father Ventura and his sister, Celida, who is clandestinely in love wilh Don Armada. Upon bis marriage to Aurora, the Don casts off Celida, who is broken-hearted. The forcefullywedded Aurora, longing for a sight of her beloved Pedro, goes to the tavern disguised as a dancing girl, and meels Pedro, but the latter does not recognise her. To avenge his sister, Pedro summons all the fisher folk of (he village and leads them against Armada's house, where the marriage feast is being held. The guests fly in terror, and Armada is wounded. Pedro recognises his "Lady of the Lily" as the wife of the man who betrayed his sister. Aurora pleads with Pedro not to kill her husband, and realising thai the Don has been made blind through his injuries he lakes pity on him. Don Armada has an operation performed on his eyes, which proves successful hul the physicians wain him that any shock might result in blindness for life. He intercepts a note from Pedro, and locking Aurora in her

room, the Don steals out and stabs Pedro when he meets him in the garden. He then returns to Aurora, who finds he has tricked her. He tells her what he had done, but the excitement kills him. Aurora rushes J to Pedro, whom she finds still alive. There will also he other good pieI lures. "THE BOOMERANG." The success of the Hale Hamilton j Company was again exemplified last ! evening, when "The Boomerang" was ! repealed to a good house. While I "The Boomerang," like its prcdeces- | sors, is a laughter-producer, its comedy is of a less boisterous type, its humour depending on dialogue rather than action. There is thus ample opportunity for characterisation in the various parts, which is fully taken advantage of by those i entrusted with the studies. As a young doctor, who with the optimism of youth is prepared to prescribe treatment to such a dangerous case as that of a love-stricken patient, MiHale Hamilton fully lived up to his reputation as a breezy and forceful actor. In the part of a patient suffering from the apparently incurable malady of a hopeless love, Mr Donald Bowles gave a convincing interpretation. Miss Myrtle Tannehill, who is responsible for the doctor becoming in a condition similar to that ! of his patient, played the part of a ; nurse with her usual charm. The other parts were capably filled. OPERA HOUSE. Lester Brown, assisted by Bosie Parkes and Geo. Fdwardes, will appear for the last time at the Opera House this evening, as also will Boss, , Wyse, and Big Surprise. The latter is a novel turn, introducing some clever work by a child acrobat. "The Cay .Mrs Colin," Bert La Blanc's Revue, which has been drawing large audiences nightly during the week, will be presented finally this levelling. Next week another revue

which is new to Christchurch will be staged. This is entitled "When They Woke Up," and is said to be even more laughable than any of its predecessors. It introduces some new musical numbers, and some fresh dances. The revue will conclude Bert La Blanc's return season. STARLAND. Xext week Starland will add another 9000 ft of excellent photoplay film to the weekly programme, bringing it up to the big total of over 25,000 ft weekly. This latest "draw" is a result of the progressive policy of Crystal Palace Ltd., and is made by arrangement with that company. By securing all Fox's and all future Famous Players-Lasky productions, Crystal Palace Ltd. have achieved a scoop. A particularly attractive programme is billed for Starland next week. A Fox Supreme Photoplay, "The Idler," will be screened at all day continuous and night sessions de luxe. On Monday, Tuesday, and .Wednesday a beautiful photodrania from the Famous Play-ers-Lasky Studios will be shown in conjunction with "The Idler," at all sessions. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, another Famous Players production, entitled "Sold," will take ui) the running with "The Idler" at all sessions. "The Idler" contains an intensely human plot, and secures the sympathies of the audience from the start. Charles Richman's manly acting measures up to the high standard that won him international fame. "The While Pearl" is a beautiful play with lovely Japan for a background. Oriental superstition, surrounding a pearl of fabulous value, is the theme of the plot. Marie Doro, a clever actress, leaves nothing to he desired as the heroine. A photodrania visualising the vibrant human passions of a woman's misunderstood devotion is "Sold." Willi Pauline Frederick in the lead this play makes an appeal that all ladies will understand. Siarland's prices remain the same, despite the additions lo the programme. Seats may be booked al "The Bristol" as usual. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "His Picture in the Papers," a Triangle Fine Ails comedy drama, featuring Douglas Fairbanks, will he screened for the last time this evening al His Majesty's Theatre. This is quile the best comedy drama that has been seen in Christchurch for a long time. There is a good supporting programme. Those who saw "Cabiria" cannot help but remember the giant Maciste, who performed such wonderful feats of strength. I This giant will be seen al His Majesty's nexl week in a 5-reel production entitled "Maciste." This is a 'modern melodrama of love, adventure, and romance, in which Maciste uses his wonderful strength in the defence of a woman's honour. His performances are even more remarkable than in the former picture. He is seen to whip a whole crowd with a leg lorn from a table: lo push his way through a floor and ceiling with ids head and shoulders, and lo tear up a tree trunk and block a road with it. "Maciste" is also a picture within a picture, as it shows Ihe giant in a scene from "Cabiria." The supporting subjects will comprise the latest Palhe Gazette, and a Mull and Jell' cartoon.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Martha's Vindication," a powerful Triangle drama featuring Norma iTalmadge, will be presented for the last time this evening at the Queen's (Theatre. Next week a five-part Pathe production starring beautiful Florence Reed will be the attraction. The story of the play is j j a powerful one, and is very capably ! | handled by the producers. lis plot l lis most original, and its solution is [impossible of anticipation. It is the story of a mother who sets man- j I made laws at defiance, in her fight! j for those she loves. From the commencement to the last scene, this! play holds the attention, while its; conclusion is one which brings a feeling of happiness, it is mounted throughout in the excellent style characteristic of Pathe, while good! 'photography is also a feature. The' ' other characters are in the hands of [a particularly strong cast, including i Duncan Mcßae. There will be a good supporting programme which | will include the latest issue of the' Pathe Gazette, with some interesting pictorial news from the various fronts of war. "PEG 0' MY HEART." Following on successful seasons in| the North Island, and fresh from re-| cord-breaking runs in Melbourne and j Sydney, Messrs J. and N. Tait will produce their successful comedy, "Peg o' My Heart," at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, November 2d. Headed by a famous Irish actress—! Miss Sara Allgood—as Peg, Messrs Tail have brought out a complete English company of comedians, and, jit being their iirst venture into the ! fields of legitimate drama, they have | staged "Peg o' My Heart" with a lav- { isli hand. The box plan for the Christchurch season, which will extend over eight nights, will open at The Bristol Piano Company on Monday week. A matinee will be held on Saturday, December 2. CHRISTCHURCH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. The programme for the third concert to be given by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at the Choral Hall on Tuesday night includes the "Raymond" overture, the intermezzo from Symphony in F (Op. 9), by 11. Goetz, the "In Memoriam" overture (Sullivan), "Serenade Mauresque" (Elgar), and "Entracle Servilland" | by Massenet, by the orchestra; and j the first movement from the BeetJ hoven violin concerto by Mr R. C. Zimmerman and the orchestra. Mr 11. Ilutlon will play the first movement from a flute concerto by Briccialdi, and Mr A. L. Cropp will contribute two songs, one from the opera "La Gioconda" (I'ouchielli) and the other "The Windmill" (Nelson). "A DAUGHTER OF THE GODS." The story of the big Japanese extravaganza, to be performed at thei Theatre Royal on Tuesday next and \ the two following evenings, is a charming romance based on several of the beautiful old Japanese legends, j It affords plenty of scope for speclacular elfect, and the producers are ! taking full advantage of this. The; wardrobe is said to be very striking, and a complete set of scenery has ; been specially painted for the pro-! duction by Messrs L. 11. Booth and i

W. S. Wauchop. Among the principals are Misses Ruby Wilding, the !clever little dancer, Pessy Hollander, ! Irene Duncan, Ida Wilbraham, [Flossie Goodman, Thelma Thompson, Doreen Colgan, and Ivy Spence, [all of whom have attractive numbers, and Masters Wm, King and | Louis Bennett. A bevy of small ! children arc included in the cast, {prominent members being Kathleen Brewins and Eva Brassington, two tiny tots who have several quaint i comedy scenes. The production is in aid of the Belgium Relief Fund. |The box plans are at Milner and {Thompson's, and the day sales at j the Toy Cave.