THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1160, 30 October 1917, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

STRAND THEATRE. It is one of the ambitions of most people to keep as far away from the boarding house as possible. Not so Douglas Fairbanks In "In Again, Out Again," the Paramount feature which enow being screened at the Strand Theatre. In this plav Fairbanks becomes lntatuated with the daughter of a gaol sheriff, and in order to become better acquainted with her he finds mat he must get sentenced to a period in her father's care. Accordingly he commences a series of sensations which eventually produce the desired results. The conclusion, however, is a satisfactory one. STARLAND - THEATRE. "The Ragged Princess," now being shown at Starland, is the story of a little girl, an orphan, who runs away from the comfortless institution she has learned to call her home, and sets about seeking her fortune in the outside world. A number of strange adventures befall her, and in the end she finds herself heiress to a vast fortune. Miss June Caprice plays the leading role in a manner which fascinates. There is also in the cast a band of youngsters who have been specially trained. The supporting programme includes the first chapter of "The Purple Domino," a serial featuring Francis Ford and Grace Cunard. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The feature film at the Queen's Theatre this week is entitled "The Self-Made Widow," starring Alice Brady. The story is that Sylvia Smith conies up to town to elope, and is met by her lover's wife and children. Desperate, she foolishly enters into a plot to marry under the false name of a man who is supposed to have committed suicide. The man turns out to be a millionaire, and Sylvia is compelled to take her position as his widow. Castleton gels back from Australia, where he had gone on an adventure trip, and finds from the butler that the girl he sees through the window is posing as his widow. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Charles Kav heads the cast in The Clodhopper," now being shown at Everybody's Theatre. It is a distinctly unique film produced by Triangle, telling a delightful storv of a young farmer's son, who, on account of his father's treatment runs away. He is later able to save the father, who had tried to make his life unbearable, from bankruptcy. A charming love story runs through the picture. The play also introduces the "Clodhopper Glide," New York's latest dance craze. In addition there is a good supoorting programme, which includes an amusing Keystone comedy. LIBERTY THEATRE. The card system which caused so much labour trouble in Australia, is seen at work in "The Girl Who Did Not Care," the premier attraction this week at the Liberty Theatre. The foreman is seen taking each workman's card and scanning it carefully to get a record of each num's hours and output per day. The dismissal of a man whose output is not up lo the average is the cause of a deep-laid plot that proves the downfall of a wealthy manufacturer. James Morrison is in the lead and has with him Louise Vale. There is a good supporting programme, which includes an amusing comedy. GRAND THEATRE. Lionel Barrymore is featured in The End of (he Tour,"cthe Metro drama which is at the head of a good programme at the Grand '1 healre this week. The story is one of tears and laughter, dealing with some of the incidents in the life of a young actor, the leader of a small back country dramatic troupe. It also tells of a great sacrifice which he made. The play is sympathetically acted throughout, and the settings and photography arc excellent. Included on the supporting list are the latest chapter of "The Submarine Secret," and another instalment ol "Hex Beach's Travels." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The current programme of vaudeville at His Majesty's Theatre is one or the strongest presented bv the management for a very long time, led McLean and Genevieve Lee are seen in a very amusing playlet, "Leave Well Enough Alone," which

was very enthusiastically received last evening. Some fine xylophonic melody is provided by the Musical Bentleys, while The Hamptons present a distinctly unique act on wheels. Lilian Teece is a girl with a charming personality,- and her songs are pleasing in the extreme. Those brilliant operatic singers, Signor and Signora Molinari, are still firm favourites, while Malcolm McEachern, the powerful basso profundo, is still appearing with much success. Milner and Storey, comedy sketch artists; John Larkin, coloured comedian; and Harris and Gold, entertainers, are also appearing. Last evening the Coleman Sisters, a pair of dainty soubrettes, made their first appearance, and were accorded a good welcome. "THE PINK LADY." The J. C. Williamson management intend thai Christchurch shall share iii the interest and enthusiasm created by that remarkable musical comedy success, "The Pink Lady," which is to be presented for the first time in Christchurch, at the Theatre Roval, bv their famous Royal Comic Opera Company next Monday night and the two following nights. This world-famous comic opera is stated to be a bright musical comedy, magnificently staged, full of gaiety, piquant melodies, pretty ballets, rous-; ing spectacles, snappy songs, and, rollicking fun. This piece scored ai great success in Melbourne andj Svdnev, in which cities the critics described it as "the nearest approach to real comic opera seen there for quite a number of years." The music, it is stated, has "quite the Gilbert and Sullivan touch," and is altogether charming. The music of "The Pink Lady" is by Ivan Carvll, composer of "Our Miss Gibbs," "The Toreador," "The Or- , chid," and many other musical comedy successes. The libretto is by C. M. S. McLennan, author of "The ' Belle of New York," and "Leah \ Kleshna." The title role will be played bv Miss Minnie Love, and \ the* cast will also include Miss Florence Young, Phil Smith, Reginald ; Boberts, John Ralston, Claude Bantock, Leslie Holland, Clyde Cook, Gladys Moncreiff, Addie Lennard, Jessie Caffyn, and Maic Baird. Mr George Highland, the well-known London producer, is re sponsible for this production, whilst Mr Harry Burton will be at the head of a full operatic orchestra and chorus. Never before, it is stated, has a better company of singers, dancers, comedians, and specialty artists been sent to the Dominion by J. C. WiTrfamson, Ltd. "The Pink Lady" will be staged for a few nights, when it will give way to a production for the first time here of the musical revue comedy, "The Kinema Star." The last of the season will be a revival of the ever-green comic opera, "The Merry Widow." The box plans for the first three productions of "The Pink Lady" will open at Milner and Thompson's next Friday morning at 9 o'clock. CARNIVAL OF MERRIMENT. This carnival, corfibined with a grand spectacular display, will open at the Colosseum on Thursday, at 8 p.m., and will continue for a season. There will be a wide variety of side shows, tea gardens, various stalls, and fascinating programmes of picturesque dances. In connection with the Carnival there will be a surprise packet, for which tickets will be on sale from 9 a.m. on Thursday during the continuance of the Carnival. There will also be a special competition for a gold watch and vase, the proceeds to go to the Lady Liverpool Fund;