THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1161, 31 October 1917, Page 6

THE THEATRES.

STARLAND THEATRE. The charming young artist, Miss June Caprice, is seen at her best in "The Ragged Princess," this week's Fox feature" at Starland. It is a play which Rives Miss Caprice ample opfwrtunities of displaying her dcightful talents, both humorous and dramatic. The play depicts the adventures of a young orphan girl, who, tired of the monotony of her existence in a big orphanage, runs away. How eventually she finds herself in possession of a /vast fortune and a husband is told in a series of pleasing scenes. Included on the supporting programme is chapter 1 of "The Purple Domino," a Universal serial. QUEEN'S THEATRE The charming and talented emotional actress. Alice Bradv, is featur-1 ed in "The Self-made Widow," thei World Film Corporation drama which heads the current programme | at the Queen's Theatre.. It is a: powerful and well-conceived story | of a daring escapade of a country j maiden. It contains a number of i startling situations which are presented in a most convincing manner. Chapter l. r ) of "The Iron Claw" is one of exceptional interest, and is .even more mysterious than the pre-1 reding instalments. The Laughing I Mask is again responsible for saving] Margery Golden's life. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Clodhopper," the Triangle drama now being shown at Everybody's Theatre, is characterised by its distinct novelty. It is the story of a young man. who, driven away from home bv a harsh father, comes to the city, where, after a struggle to live, he succeeds in getting an engagement with a vaudeville company. He is billed to dance what is known as the "Clodhopper Dance," which subsequently becomes the rage of New York. The conclusion, showing how the voung man returns good for evil, is pleasing in the extreme. The supporting programme includes an uproarious Keystone comedy and the latest Gaumont Graphic. LIBERTY THEATRE. A dramatic conclusion is provided! in "TheXiirl Who Did Not Care," the j star feature now being screened at j the Liberty Theatre, wherq. the long; lost son returns to fascinate the girl who had ruined his father. In telling fashion the weapons of sex that she had used for her infamous purposes are turned upon the girl herself. Donald Hall, T,oui.sc Yale, and Frankie Mann are featured in this picture, which is a cleverly-conceiv-ed Ivan film, and touches the highest standard of photoplay production, there being many beautiful scenes shown in the unreeling of the film. In addition a laughable Keystone comedy is also being shown. GRAND THEATRE The Metro Pictures Corporation is again to the fore this week at the Grand Theatre with "The End of the Tour," a five-act comedy drama. It is a somewhat unique play, dealing with some of the happenings.which form the lot of the leader of a little third-rate dramatic troupe touring ihe back country. The humour and pathos of the play are well blended, and altogether the picture is a pleasing production. Lionel Barrymore plays the leading role in a most convincing manner. The supporting programme includes the latest instalment of "The Submarine Secret" and another chapter of "Rex Beach's Travels." STRAND THEATRE. The inimitable Douglas Fairbanks portrays the part of a very violent character in "In Again, Out Again," now b?ing shown at the Strand Theatre. His violence, however, is only assumed for the purpose of being committed to gaol for a term. The attraction is not the prospect of a period of free board and lodging, but the daughter of the gaol sheriff, with whom he has become infatuated. The girl is never allowed outside the prison grounds. In the end Fairbanks is the means of capturing a dangerous criminal whom he has been impersonating, and the conclusion is happy. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The bright and well-varied programme of vaudeville which is in season this week at His Majesty's Theatre has been greatly enjoyed by large audiences nightly. £ed McLean and Genevieve Lee are presenting with much success an uproarious playlet entitled "Leave Well Enough Alone." Xylophone playing extraordinary is provided by the Musical Bentlcys, while The Hamptons are seen in a unique act on wheels. Billed as "the personality girl," Miss Lilian Teece, another newcomer, has already become a very firm favourite. Signor and Signora Molinari, grand opera stars, are still on the programme with their delightful operatic and ballad selections, while Malcolm McEachcrn, the brilliant basso profundo, is appearing with further items from his repertoire. Harris and Gold, entertainers, Milner and Storey, musical comedy artists, and John Larkin, coloured comedian, are also appearing. J. C. WILLIAMSONS COMIC OPERA SEASON. Christchurch theatregoers will cordially welcome the announcement of the J. C. Williamson management that on Monday night next their Royal Comic Opera Company will make its reappearance at the Theatre Royal, in the remarkably successful musical play, "The Pink Lady." This play is stated to be an eminently attractive one and in the hands of the splendid cast which will interpret it a highly commendable rendering may be anticipated. The company, a specially strong one, includes Miss Minnie Love, who installed herself as a great favourite with local playgoers on her last visit to Christchurch. In the title role, Miss Love shows the possession of that original talent upon which her high reputation as a comedienne has been built. She is a thorough artist, and a big acquisition to the firm's roll of star principals for comic opera productions. Another old favourite who will be making a reappearance is Miss Florence Young, who, in her role of La Comtesse, has scored one of her greatest triumphs. Mr Phil Smith, as Philippe Dondidier, and Mr Leslie Holland, as B'ebe Guingolph, in their varying styles of -« comedy are both said to be well placed, causing screams of laughter all the evening. Mr Reginald Roberts is singing in fine voice, and makes the part of Garidel a happy and musical one. Miss Gladys Moricreiff, in the part of Angele, gives

that pretty grace and spirit -which are always 'winsome, and her songs aj;c appealing in their tone and naturalness. Miss Addie Lennard as Madame Dondidier portrays a capital comedy study. Among others in a well-balanced cast are Jessie Caffyn, Marjorie Bray, Rosic Everson, Maic Baird, John Ralston. Harry Ratcliffe, Claude Bantock, Dick Shortland, Stanley Odgers, Clyde Cook and Freddy Wallace. "The Pink Lady" will only be staged for four nights, and then will be staged for the first time "The Cinema Star." The box plans for the four productions of "The Pink Lady" will open at Milner and Thompson's next Friday morning at 9 o'clock. CARNIVAL OF"MERRIMENT. In aid of the St. Mary's School Building Fund, a Carnival of Merriment will he opened at the Colosseum by his Lordship Bishop Brodie on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock, and will continue during Carnival Week. Among the attractions will be the grand spectacular display of quaint dances which will be a feature of the carnival, numbers of children in picturesque costumes taking part. The Colosseum is at present a scene of activity preparing the stalls, side-shows, and large stase required for the performances. The decorations will be on an elaborate scale, and every detail that will produce a crowded evening's enjoyment will be completed. As there are over 450 taking part in the carnival, it promises to eclipse all other similar functions held here. A special feature will be the surprise packet stall and queen election, the crowning ceremony alone always proving an irresistible draw. POM-POM PIERROTS. On Monday night, at the Opera House, the Pom-Pom Pierrots, Mrs H. R. Smith's talented troupe, which has been touring the country districts giving entertainments on behalf of the Lady Liverpool Trench Comforts Fund, will make their first appearance in the city. The production will be under the direction of Mr W. Densem, and comprises concerted and solo items. The company is comprised of well-known Chnslchurch amateurs, among them being Misses Grace Jones (soubrettc), Joan Adams (elocutionist), and Lulu Hannay (contralto), and Messrs W. Fredericks (raconteur), C. Lawrence (light comedian), and R. Kirk (pianist). The troupe, as a result of ♦heir countrv tour, has raised over 1220 for the fund.