THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 872, 25 November 1916, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Florence Heicl, Palhe's famous emotional actress, will appear for the last time this evening at the Queen's Theatre in "The Woman's Law." The plot of this picture is one of the most remarkahle ever attempted, and its solution is almost impossible of anticipation. The picture is beautifully staged and mounted, while the photography is also excellent. Next Monday a' picture of unusual dramatic force, allowing plenty of scope for good acting, wall be presented. One big factor in its success is the appearance of Frank Keenan and Miss Louise Glaum as the leading characters. The picture, "Honour Thy Name," is a Triangle production in live reels, and concerns the doings of one Colonel Castleton, who, when he was much younger, became enamoured of a well-known opera singer. Finding she was false to him, he promptly breaks his friendship with her. Years later his son falls in love with a cabaret dancer. In order to show him how unworthy she is the father makes love to her, and as she knows that he is rich the son is thrown over. Suddenly the girl discovers that the father is the man who "jilted" her mother, and she marries the son. She will not accept cash terms for a final settlement, and the old man determines on a way to be rid of her that is one of the most terrible, and one of the, most thrilling series of scenes ever shown upon a screen. Supporting "Honour Thy Name" is a topical film of presentday events in the war zone and in England. The comedy section of the programme is of the usual good standard. OPERA HOUSE. The excellent programme at present running at the Opera House, fully justifies the liberal patronage which has been accorded it nightly. T hc first half of the bill contains four excellent turns, of which that of Montambo and Wells is the best. These two performers arc acrobatic tumblers of the first order. Wilfred Du Hois presents a novel and clever juggling turn. The second half is capably occupied by the Bert la Blanc Revue Company, with their latest musical scream entitled "Then They Woke Up." The piece abounds with fun throughout, and most of the jokes are entirely new. The musical numbers, particularly those rendered by the New York Comedy Four are really excellent, while the ballets arranged by Miss Nellie Fallon are also pleasing. "Then They Woke Up" will be presented finally this evening, and on Monday the company will repeat the

former success "In Watts," which will be presented in conjunction with some new vaudeville turns. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Macisle will entartain and thrill Christchurch picture-goers at His | Majesty's Theatre with his wonder-1 ful' exploits, for the last time this | evening. No one should miss seeing i this picture, which is a distinct variation from the usual run of photo-, plays. It is an Itala production,, abounding with love, romance, and: thrill, and it also contains some remarkably fine sellings. A complete! change of programme will take place on Monday, when little Marguerite Clark will make her first appearance in "Mice and Men," a 5000 ft Famous Players production. Miss Clark never fails to invest into the plays in which she appears her charming personality, and here is an asset not possessed by many plays. The story itself is one of refreshing originality, and one containing an intense heart appeal. It tells of Mark Eubury, a scientist anil philosopher, whoadopts a foundling in the hope thai she will develop into an ideal wife for him. Peggy, the foundling, comes to re-1 gard her guardian with true daughterly love, but when she meets Cap-! tain George Lovell she finds him most! interesting. The denouement, where! Peggy's guardian kills her new love for the officer, and at last realises his original ideals, is a striking and, touching one. The supportng pro-| gramme includes a good Vitagraph comedy and the Pathe Gazette. "PEG O' MY HEART." In "Peg o' My Heart," to be produced at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next for an eight nights' season, the heroine Peg is way\Vard, hoydenish, virginal to life, maybe as awkward on your drawing room rug as a brownie, a leprechaun, or a banshee from their native bogs, but she contrives in her spare hours to live. "The little folk" looked over her cradle in Connemara, and left her with her father, her rosary, her fairy lore, high spirits, and a gift for blarney as well as pathos. Rut this "forchune" of the Irsh girl involves her inability to grow up—she is Peter Pan's long lost sister, and she would as soon learn the conventions of a hostess as she would become a "Prodesdan." She is a Hibernian "Bunty," save that one is Scotch, prim, and Presbyterian, the other, "kindly Irish of the Irish," impulsive, candid as daylight, and a "Cadolic" born, and while "Bunty" pulls the strings Peg just quaintly plays tunes on them, with the heart for her audience. This is the character which Miss Sara Allgood is coming here lo play, and she will be supported by an English company. The box plan is now available at the Bristol.

STARLAND THEATRE. "The Idler" and "Sold," two excellent five-reel photo dramas, together with a lengthy supporting programme will be presented for the last time this evening at Starland. The Fox Corporation, and the Famous Players Company will contribute Starland's next week features, in "Samson" and "The Prince and the Pauper." The former is said to be the best Fox production to date, with William Farnum, of "The Plunderer," in the lead, it will be seen that the great producer has done his best to make the picture a success. William Farnum, in his turn, has also succeeded in making the most of his many opportunities. "Samson" is a big, powerful story depicting the rise of a dock hand to a position of power and affluence; in short he becomes a veritable Samson of finance. His bailies on the Stock Exchange, where fortunes are made and lost daily, are portrayed with the truc-to-lif'e atmosphere of which Fox is so capable. Its emotions are vibrant and all-pervading, and altogether the picture is one which should make a profound impression. The Famous Players production is another of Miss Marguerite Clark's famous successes. "The Prince and the Pauper" will be recognised as the delightful tale from the pen of the widely read Mark Twain, than whom, perhaps, there was no better writer of studies of human life. This story is invested with an even added charm by its transfer to the screen by the Famous Players Company, while Miss Clark, in the title role contributes in no small measure to its general success. The whole programme is one of rare brilliance, its joys and sorrows combining delightfully to make a firstclass entertainment. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Those who have not yet seen Clara Kimball Young in "the Feast of Life" at Everybody's will be afforded a final opportunity this evening of remedying this oversight. It is a World Film Corporation feature in five reels telling a powerful story of love and romance, while there is also ian element of tragedy. Next week a picture bearing the thrilling title of "Hell-10-Pay Austin" will be the feature item. This is a Triangle Fine Arts drama starring Bessie Love, the winsome little actress who will be remembered for her excellent performances in "Hate" and "The Good Bad-Man." It tells how Austin, commonly known as Ilell-to- | Pay, visits a woman named Mrs j Valentine, and by a pre-arranged I plan, her husband comes in just I after. Angry words are spoken, and | the husband draws a revolver. Austin docs likewise, and in the ensuing ! melee the husband is shot, but not fatally. Austin leaves the country, and commences his life anew by adopting the daughter of a dead clergyman. Later the girl is sent to the city to be educated. Here she meets Mrs Valentine, and the denouement which follows is of I lie most dramatic order. The supporting items will include a Mutt and Jeff cartoon and a Gaumonl Graphic. "DAUGHTER OF THE GODS." The final production of the successful extravaganza, "A Daughter of the Gods," will be given at the Theatre Royal this evening. Holders of tickets for the stalls and gallery are requested to be at the theatre not later than 7.15 p.m., as the management cannot guarantee seats after thai time. The production is in aid of the Belgium Fund.