THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 868, 21 November 1916, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"A DAUGHTER OF THE GODS." The story of the big Japanese extravaganza, to be performed at the Theatre Royal to-night, and the two following evenings, is a charming romance based on several of the beautiful old Japanese legends. It affords plenty of scope for spectacular effects, 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 production by Messrs L. 11. Booth and 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 are included in the cast, prominent members being Kathleen Brewins and Eva Brassington, two tiny tots who have several quaint 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 the Toy Cave. OPERA HOUSE. The attendance al the Opera Douse last night was even larger than that usually in evidence on Mondays, an exceptionally strong and well varied bill having been provided for the occasion. The second half was supplied by the Bert la Blanc Revue Company, which was seen in an entirely new production entitled "Then They Woke Up." This, like the preceding ones in which the company his appeared, is a bright assortment if songs, dances, ballets and skits, strung together by a slender thread of continuity, so as fo give them a semblance of relation. Once again the ballet, consisting of six clever girls, under the direction of Miss Nellie Fallon, is the most striking feature of the show. The arrangement and dressing of the ballets were alike good, while the girls worked as though they revelled in the business. A particularly pleasing number was "1 Want to go to Tokio," sung by Miss Nellie Fallon and concluding with a prettily-ar-ranged dance in which Miss Fallon, Mr Durham Marcel and the ballet participated. The New York Comedy Four were never heard to better advantage, their quartets showing indications of careful and thorough preparation. They were precise and nicely balanced throughout. Messrs la Blanc and Jake Mack, as the shipwrecked Hebrew sailors who dreamt they were rulers of the island on which they landed, were given ample opportunity to lire oil' a series of mirth provoking gags and to gel mixed up in a tangle of hilarious situations. They kept the audience in a perpetual simmer of merriment all the lime they were on. Miss Maude Miles met with a considerable measure of success in her various vocal numbers. The vaudeville portion of the hill is also an excellent one. The Flemings repeated their clever and artistic statuary and hand balancing act; while Wilfred (hi Bois gained thunders of applause for his extraordinarily, dexterous juggling turn. Montambo and Wells, those daring knock-about comedians, acrobats, and equilibrists, made a welcome reappearance. The Farrows, London sketch artists, were the only newcomers, and their sketch, "The Bargain Hunters," was provocative of much laughter. The orchestra, under the direction of Miss Phyllis Harris, did good work throughout the evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Itala productions are rare in these parts, hut when they do reach here, they are invariably pictures of a distinct character. Such a libit is "Maciste," which was shown for the first time last evening al His Majesty's Theatre. The title role is played by the giant of "Cabiria," whose wonderful feats of strength in that picture were one of ils features. "Maciste" is a modern melodrama of love and adventure, and it tells of a giant who fought I" >r a woman's

honour. The dramatic .'iluf.lions are compelling throughout, but, of course, the wonderful deeds performed hy the giant are the most notable events. He is seen to tear up a tree trunk'and block a road with it, to whip a crowd with a leg torn from a table, and to force his way, with his head and shoulders, through a ceiling and iloor. Thgre are several other good items also on the programme, including a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, and the "Pathe Gazette." The music rendered by the El I wood Trio is a particularly appreciated feature of the programme.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Capacity business was done last evening at Everybody's, when Clara Kimball Young made her first appearance in "The Feast of Life," while there were also very large attendances during the day sessions. Those who saw the picture were unanimous in their verdict that, besides being Miss Young's greatest dramatic triumph to dale, it is also one of the best pictures screened in Christchurch for a very long lime. The play is Spanish in theme and sentiment, telling how a beautiful and pure-hearted Cuban girl becomes betrothed, against her will, to an unscrupulous but wealthy Don. The girl's heart is with a young fisherman named Pedro. The story is finely developed, and how the real lovers eventually come into their own is told in a series of scenes which form a veritable motion picture masterpiece. It is distinguished throughout with the passionate emotions and 'iiery temperament which are characteristic of the Latin race. There is a lengthy and well-varied supporting list, which includes a particularly interesting number of the Gaumont Graphic. The work of the orchestra is, as usual, a feature of the entertainment.

STARLAND THEATRE. "The Idler," the latest Fox picture | to be shown at Starland, is a drama (of a different nature from previous | Fox productions. It touches upon a variety of subjects, and its scenes [range from an English Parliamentary ! election to a mountain gold rush. (The story lends itself admirably to ! dramatisation, and the rich interiors, etc., are excellently suited to Fox's I style of production. There is one I highly realistic fire scene, in which jsome weird glimpses of the interior of a burning house are given. The I plot of the play is a powerful one, |and its characters are well acted by la strong cast headed by Chas. Richjman and Claire Whitney. "The | While Pearl" is another excellent I drama, produced in the characteristically good style of the Famous Players Company. Marie Doro, who is i recognised as one of the most beautiful actresses of the screen, plays •the leading role in a manner which | fascinates. The story is based upon | the superstitions which prevail in (the Orient, and it. is one of refreshing originality. The sellings are some of the best thai have yet been obtained for a photo-drama, and most of them were taken in flowery Japan. "The White Pearl" will he shown again for the last time to-morrow evening, and on Thursday it will be replaced by "Sold," ! another Famous Players production.