THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 867, 20 November 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"I ■ ■— I I » —— ■■■■-■ ■■■■■!■ EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Beautiful Clara Kimball Young has undoubtedly scored the greatest success of her dramatic career in "The Feast of Life," which was screened for the first time at Everybody's today. She is seen in a dual role, each character being something different from anything she has hitherto played. Her portrayal of the passions of love and hate is artistic in the extreme. "The Feast of Life" is the first of the new World Film Corporation pictures, and it sets an even higher standard for photography and detail than that concern's previous pictures. It is the story of a girl who in public is "The Lady of the Lily," a beautiful Cuban betrothed against her will to a wealthy Spaniard. Secretly she is a dancing girl at a tavern sweethearting with a young fisherman named Pedro. He is unaware that the alluring jade of the tavern is really the wife of Don Armada and there is a tense situation where he leads a crowd of infuriated fishermen to avenge the betrayal of his sister, who in her dying moments has named Armada as the cause of her shame. Pedro is astounded to find that his dancing girl is also "The Lady of the Lily," and the bride of his sister's betrayer. The drama moves through scenes of blazing passion and fierce intrigue, such as only the Latin temperament can be capable of, to a satisfying denouement. The picture was staged at Havana, and prominent among the artists assisting Miss Young are Paul Cappelani, late of the Theatre Francais, Paris, and Doris Kenyon, last in this city in "The Pawn of Fate." There is an excellent and well-varied list of supporting subjects, including a particularly interesting number of the Gaumont Graphic. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There are very few picture-goers who do not remember the mighty Maciste of "Cabiria." This giant will again he seen at His Majesty's this evening in a modern melodrama of love and adventure entitled "Maciste." It is the story of a giant who uses his almost superhuman physical strength in the defence of a woman's honour. Maeiste's feats of strength are even more wonderful in this picture than in "Cabiria." He is seen to walk with his hands and feet up two walls; to whip a whole crowd with a leg lorn from a table; to tear a tree up and block a road with it, while his final exploit, and the clever ruse by which he wins the girl bring the play to a startling and wonderful conclusion. The film is also a picture within a picture, as it contains a scene from "Cabiria." There will be an excellent supporting programme which will include the Palhc Gazette, ami a Mutt and Jell' cartoon. The work of the Ellwood trio is a particularly pleasing feature of the entertainment. "A DAUGHTER OF THE GODS." The extravaganza, "A Daughter of the Gods," is a pretty romance based on the delightful legends of Japan. The season will open in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. A complete set of scenery has been painted specially for this production by Messrs \V. S. Wauchop and L. 11. Booth, who are also responsible for "the book." The lighting effects, so charming a feature of "The Sleeping Beauty," are again in the hands of Mr W. Wilding. Some novel effects are promised and the ballets and solo dances should be very beautiful. Among the principals arc the Misses Ruby Wilding, Pessy Hollander, Irene Duncan, Ida Wilbraham, Doreen Colgan, Ivy Spencer, Thelma Thompson, Flossie Goodman, Elsie Lock, Kathleen Brewins and Eva Bassington, and Masters W. B. King, Louis Bennett and Vernon Colgan. The producers are Miss A. J. Menzies and Mr W. S. Wauchop. The production is in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund. The box plans are at Messrs Milner and Thompson's, and the day sales at the Toy Cave Confectionery store.

STARLAND THEATRE. The success of Starland's twofeature programme has induced the management to add still further to both the quantity and quality, by partly changing the programme bij weekly. To-day, Tuesday, and Wed- | nesday, at all sessions, "The Idler" and "The White Pearl" will be the 'features. The former is the latest | William Fox photo-drama, and may be described as being five reels of 1 heart interest, love, and . romance. I Charles Richman, an actor who has j been seen here on previous occajsions, interprets the leading role in a jhighly convincing manner. The plot of the play is a particularly ! powerful one, and it is presented with all the dramatic force of which the Fox players are capable. "The While Pearl" is a live-reel Famous Players production, beautiful, artisj tic, and powerful. Many of its ! scenes were taken in sunny Japan, land are of alluring loveliness. The I plot is based upon the superstitions j which prevail in the Orient. Marie , Doro, one of filmdom's most beautiful actresses, who has also appeared here previously, occupies the posiI lion of honour in the cast. In addition to these films, which are in I themselves sufficient for a perfect i entertainment, there is a well selectied, programme of supporting items. jOn Thursday next, "The White j Pearl" will be replaced by "Sold," j another Famous Players drama, i which will be screened in conjuncj lion with "The Idler" for the remainder of the week. OPERA HOUSE. Bert La Blanc and his clever revue I company will present for the first I time on any stage, this evening, at ' the Opera House, a new and original j revue, entitled "Then They Woke j Up." This is said to be the most j humorous effort of the Bert La Blanc I company, and is of a somewhat [different nature than anything they ! have hitherto produced. The chorus work is again a feature, while the | other musical numbers are said to Ibe excellent. The vaudeville programme will contain two new turns i in addition to Wilfred du Bois with Ibis "Nutrix" (new tricks), and The | Flemings. The new turns will be a laughable sketch entitled "The BarI gain Hunters," and a reappearance I of Monlambo and Wells.