THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1066, 12 July 1917, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

GOVERNMENT WAR FILM. On Saturday next, 1-ltli inst.,-««1 His Majesty's Theatre, the National Council nf the Y.M.C.A., on behalf of the New Zealand Government, will present the oiiicial war film, "The Battle of the Ancre." This picture, which was shown in Wellington three weeks ago for the first time in New Zealand, was ;in unprecedented success. The season was a short one, and drew crowded houses at every exhibition. One of the features of the season was the attendance of the scholars of the Wellington public schools at the matinees. Four different schools witnessed the screening of the picture each afternoon, and the keen appreciation of the children was shown by them in vociferously applauding "our hoys" whenever they appeared in the film. The excitement of the children was intense when those scenes depicting the advance of the "mysterious tanks" appealed on the screen. At these matinees the singing by the children of patriotic songs and choruses was a marked success. At the conclusion of the Wellington season a number of the headmasters expressed their appreciation of the splendid arrangements made by t.'ie management in catering for their scholars, about 5000 of whom saw the picture. The box plan for the Christchurch season is now open at Messrs Milner and Thompson's, and intending patrons are advised that the plan is rapidly filling, and in order to avoid disappointment should book early. OPERA HOUSE. This week's programme at the Opera House contains a number of star turns including Ilaig ;,nt\ Haig, the two strong men. who perform several wonderful feats of strength. Billy and Doris are a clever pair of dancers and talkers, who provide a bright and acceptable turn. Cusko's Monkeys, assisted by Jerry, their canine accomplice, present one of the best animal turns seen here for years. Those popular musical comedy artists. Taylor and McQuoin, continue their success nightly. This week they are featuring a stirring patriotic song, "There's a Ship That's Bound for Blighty." Murfaync, the xylophone king, is presenting a new programme of classical and popular airs with his usual artistry. Billy C. Brown, ihe coloured comedian! is meeting with much success, while the Btinty Comedy Company is appearing in their amusing playlet, "Mcpherson's Wooing." The Gadabout Girls are also on the programme. The work of the orchestra, under the directorship of Mr Alfred Bidgood, is a feature of the entertainment.

"THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT." On Monday next the J. C. Williamson pantomime—"The House that Jack Built," which has enjoyed great popularity in Melbourne andi Sydney, will be presented at the; Theatre Royal. Australian theatre-j goers, it is stated, proclaim it the Imost stupendously spectacular pro-! auction the firm of J. C. Williamson,! | Ltd., has ever achieved in the pan-j | tomime world. The costumes arej I made a special feature. Attractive ; scenes include "The Animated Dolls," "The Procession of Vegetables," "The Dance of Emotions," "The Uproarious Telephone Scene,": "The Minstrel Show," "The Haunted Mirror." "The Terrifying Tanks." j /'The Allies and the Anzacs," "The] Bacchanalian Banquet." There arej lover 200 people employed in the production. The children's animal dance, the march-past of the Allies and the concluding pageant—"Our Own Flag" are said to defy description. The ballets are claimed to be unusually gorgeous. The cast includes newcomers in Miss Hilda! JGuiver (principal boy), Miss Gretichen Yates (principal girl), Con-I stance Cayley (Prince Regent),! Harry Roxbury (principal comedian), Ernest * Langford (Farmer i Barleycorn), Frederick Hearne ! (Lord of Misrule), and William Full-! 'brook (policeman). The last fournamed are comedians of London re-j pule. Such favourites as Arthur! Stigant (.'ame), Amy Murphy (Fairy OiieenL Chas. Albert (De'mar). Dor-| othv Firmin (Madge), and Magaie Dickinson (danseuse) are also in the; cast. The box plans are at Milner! j and Thompson's. COLOSSEUM RINK. The cold snap experienced of late in this city has had a decided effect I upon the attendances at Ihe Colos-j scum Skating Rink. At all sessions! [he door, which is claimed to be the largest in the Dominion, has been, thronged with skating enthusiasts,! many of whom display a considerable" amount of skill. The manag"ment have provided every facilil for learners, including a handrail right round the rink, a staff of instructors, and a special session from ;■).?»() to 7 p.m. A band is in attend-j lance at the night session. PICTURE THEATRES. Everybody's has been well attended ' of late! the current attraction being "The Little Brother," featuring Enid Bennett. Chapter 1!) of "Gloria's Romance" is also on the programme.! "The Family Stain," now show-, ing at Starland, is one of the best Fox, productions to dale. There is a| lengthy supporting programme of i attractive subjects, including chap!er 2 of "The Purple Iris." Marguerite Clark is appearing this

week at the Strand Theatre in "Snow iWhile," the first of the new Paramount pictures. There is a good supporting list. Charles Chaplin, in his latest suc- ! cess, "Behind the Screen," is appearing this week at liie Queen's Theatre. | The dramatic attraction is "The j Haunting Shadow," featuring Kitty i Gordon. A Greater Vitagraph drama, I "Apartment 29," heads the current programme at His Majesty's Theatre. ', Earle Williams plays the leading j role. The popular emotional actress, I Olga Petrova, is starred this week at the Grand Theatre in "Bridges i Burned," her latest Metro success.