THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 884, 9 December 1916, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Sweet Lavender," the film version of Sir Arthur Pinero'; famous drama, will be presented i'« r the last time this evening ;it Everybody's. It is an excellent play, full of human interest and pathos, while in parts it is relieved by Hashes of spontaneous humour. The immensely popular "silent drama"' actress. Miss Mary Pickford, is the central ligure in "Little Pal," which is to be "star" item next week at Everybody's. Tbe story is an appealing one, and is interpreted in such a manner as to carry conviction—an end which is attained by the aid of natural surroundings in the icy regions of Alaska. The snow scenes are strikingly effective. Miss Pickford in the role of "Little Pal," a half-breed Indian girl, is exquisitely becoming, and her acting throughout wins fresh laurels for this dainty artist. The plot, briefly told, deals with camp life in an Alaskan settlement where Sid Gerue, a drunken saloonkeeper, resides with "Little Pal," his halfbreed daughter. Black Brand, the camp bully, covets "Little Pal," and slakes his gambling winnings against Genie's saloon and his daughter. Brand wins, and Gerue shoots himself. Just then John Grandon, an Easterner, appears on the scene, and "Little Pal : ' runs to his protection. The girl cooks for the newcomer and keeps his cabin clean, and she falls in love with him. Grandon becomes stricken with i'evcr, and his wife comes to Alaska lo nurse him. The camp doctor orders Grandon to go East, but he is unable to take the advice owing to lack of funds. "Little Pal" goes out at night and robs the miners' sluice boxes and gives the gold lo Grandon, who believes she got it from Ins claim. The miners discover the theft, and lie in wailing for the thief. Black Brand is mistaken for the gold stealer, and shot. Now possessed of the necessary funds Grandon and his wife depart leaving Little Pal broken hearted, neither of Ihe Grandons knowing of her heroic action, There will he some exeeilent supporting films, which will include the Gaumonl Graphic, a Yitagrapb comedy, and a Lathe nature study. QUEEN'S THEATRE. John Barrymore will appear for the last lime this evening in "The Incorrigible Dukane," at Ihe Queen's Theatre. This is a good Famous Players comedy drama, abounding with really humorous situations. while it also tells an enthralling story. Next week's feature will be a Triangle Fine Ails play starring Lilian Gish and Owen Moore, Mary Pickford's husband. It is entitle* "A Modern Joan of Arc," am ielts how a faddy, but kind hearted young society girl sets out lo uplift the people of the slums. Her lirsl effort, Ihe starling of a settlement house, does not do much to furthei her cause, hut it introduces her U sonic amusing and thrilling experiences, and incidentally lo a love affair. Larry O'Neill, a young lough tinged with education and ideals rescues her from Ihe advances of i saloon keeper. Humour, novelty an< powerful realism are the characleris lies of Ihe play, while it also pro vides a remarkable contrast betweci: the wealth and poverty of New

I York. There will be an excellen I supporting programme which wil include Ihe "Palhe Gazelle," and ; Vitagraph comedy featuring Editl I Storey. 5 STARLAND. j; Commencing on Monday, there wi * be screened at Starland a picture ths ! j the producers claim to be the mos , ] amazing photo-drama ever produce* * j 11 is a William Fox Supreme crcatio I entitled "The Soul of New York, ! and features the wonderful vampir 5; actress, Yaleska Suratt, as the re-: i ! red rose of New York's great whit . I way. The plot itself is very humai II and deals with the life of a typicj . j woman of the New York stage, wor ;! derfully beautiful, but prone to fa 11 to the many temptations that exist i /That great metropolis. The lure c s woman, passion, mad infatuationi, all have their sway until Ihe hand c ; | destiny brings a remarkable contrt t temps to a grand climax. Of part 1 Hcular interest to women will be th ■>, 50 marvellous costumes and gown -1 worn by Miss Suratt. "The Soul c HNew York," apart from its stirrin 3 features, is a veritable fashion plat !de luxe. The associate picture is ar i j other of Lasky's inimitable produc * | tions, "The Secret Sin," featurin * I Blanche Sweet, supported by the Jar " j anse Irving, Scssue Hayakawa. Thi photo-drama deals with the viciou 5 j life in the opium dens in the slum ~; of China.

1 1 HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. i A final opportunity will he affordajed this evening at His Majesty's of r | witnessing Bessie Barriscalc in the s | powerful problem play, "The Pay--0 ment." This is a picture of a dist linctly novel character, superbly e mounted and convincingly acted i, throughout. There is a good supports | ing programme. Next week, the c pride of place on the new prof. I gramme will he occupied by a strong ti j marine drama, "Sons of the Sea." fliThe theme, the love which one man c | j bears for the wife of another, is not ,1, a new one, but it is handled in a [.manner which gives distinction to lf j the play. The woman reciprocates ~ the love, but places her honour bee j fore everything. Her husband, howh ever, becomes associated with a gang of gun runners, and circumstances then bring about a condition of affairs which allows the course of true love to run smoothly. The scenes arc r set in a fishing village, and the inter- !" est is maintained throughout. There : ' are some really beautiful settings s and photograhic effects, while there Mis also a thrilling fight at sea bc*»'tween the occupants of two motor f boats. The supporting programme , a will include an uproarious Vitagraph comedy.

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL SOCIETY. The third subscription concert of i the present season will be given by I the Christchurch Musical Society at the Choral Hall on Thursday, December 21, when Handel's "Messiah" will be given. The society has been fortunate in securing as soloists Miss Cara Ilolgaie (soprano), Miss Nottingham (contralto), Mr 11. Blakeley ! (lenor), and Mr Clarkson (bass), j while the choruses are being particularly well rendered by the members. The society will also be assisted by the Christchurch Symphony j Orchestra.

OPERA HOUSE. The current programme at the I Opera House, headed by Chris. Richards, will be presented for the last time this evening, and then the theatre will close for a brief period. Chris. Richards produces a comedy ! turn of a novel and entertaining I character. He combines antics with j witticisms, and keeps his audience in I a rare good humour. The Two I Devons arc a pair of clever dancers and singers, while Leeds and Lemar I present a good novelty turn. The I revuettc presented by Coyne and | Levingstone is also a good item. The baritone singing of Harry Little is 'excellent and pleasing, and he was | accorded a hearty reception last evening. The Three Ruddles are a trio of juveniles, who, among other j things, present a Charles Chaplin ' sketch. Cesiria, the juggler and tum- • j bier, and Clarke and Wallace, are 'I also appearing. I PAUL DEFAULT. I The well-known singer, Paul Dull fault, will return to Christchurch for 'three concerts before his departure ;| to America. Since leaving New Zealand Paul Dufault has experienced lan unbroken series of triumphs, i Commenting on the enthusiastic welcome given to the Canadian singer, j the Melbourne "Age" says:—-"A tenor ; with such a glorious voice and dis.i tinct personality need never fear for ! j his reception, even in 'unmusical ' I Melbourne.' " The Dufault season in I Christchurch is limited to three concerts, which will take place at (the Theatre Royal on Friday Dccem- ; ber 15, and the following Saturday and Monday. The box plans for the 1 season will open at The Bristol on Tuesday morning.