THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1162, 1 November 1917, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. , A World Film Corporation drama , with a distinctly unusual story is t this week's attraction at the Queen's . Theatre. It is entitled "The Sell- . Made Widow," and in it the popular j and talented artist, Alice Brady, 1 scores another signal screen tn-! ; umph. It is a story of the ] daring escapade of a country , maiden, and is full of surprises, ] thrills, and dramatic situations, each j of which is presented in the most t artistic manner, with the result that j the picture is entertaining from start ' to finish. Chapter 15 of "The Iron , Claw," in which the long-lost Davy , turns up, is also on the programme. . EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The popular Triangle actor, , Charles Ray. has a part to which he , is able to do the fullest justice in | "The Clodhopper," now being j shown at Everybody's. The play is ( an intensely interesting one, pleas- , ingly presented, and very well act- j ed. * Charles Ray is seen as a boy -who is able to save the father who ill-treated him, from financial ruin. In addition a charming love story is also told. Great attention has been paid to detail, and the photography is of characteristic Triangle excellence. The supporting list includes an uproarious Keystone comedy and the latest Gaumont Graphic. LIBERTY THEATRE. "The Girl Who Did Not Care," this week's feature at the Liberty Theatre, has attracted large attendances to that theatre nightly. The intricate plot is slowly unravelled, and interest is maintained throughout. "Scenes in Sweden" is also an exquisite picture. Picturesque rivers have been clearly photographed, and the manner in which the reindeer are captured is wonderful and surprising, especially when the timidity of the animals is considered. The Liberty orchestra, directed by Miss Florence Scapini, plays suitable selections during the evening sessions. GRAND THEATRE. Good attendances have been the rule at the Grand Theatre this week, where Lionel Barrymore in "The End of the Tour," is the premier attraction. This is a production by the Columbia Branch of the Metro Piclures Coropration, and it may at least lay claim to originality of plot. rhe settings are of a very pleasing character and are appropriate to the nature of the story. The play tells ofa great but unwitting sacrifice made bv a voung actor, while a charming love storv is also told. The supporting list includes another chapter of "Rex Beach's Travels," the last instalment but two of the "Submarine Secret," and a Christie comedy. STRAND THEATRE. Douglas Fairbanks has achieved a, decided success in his latest production, "In Again, Out Again," now being shown at the Strand Theatre. The popular actor is seen in a won-! derful succession of hurricane-like events. He becomes infatuated with the daughter of a gaol sheriff, a girl -who is never allowed outside the gaol grounds. Accordingly the only way in which he can renew his acqurintance with her is to get sentenced to a period in gaol. This he eventually accomplishes after overcoming a number of trifling obstacles such as getting into the wrong gaol, etc., and the conclusion is happy. STARLAND THEATRE. The charming and talented young screen artist. June Caprice, is seen at her best in "The Ragged Princess," the William Fox feature, which is at the head of a good programme at Starland this week. It is the storv of a young orphan girl, J who, tired of life in a comfortless | orphanage, runs away to seek herj fortune in the world beyond. How after many trials and adventures she succeeds in finding complete happi-j ness is told in a series of gripping) scenes. A feature of the play is the delightful acting of little Jane Lee, j the brilliant juvenile actress. Chap-; ter 1 of "The Purple Domino" is also being screened. CARNIVAL OF MERRIMENT. The great Carnival of Merriment -will be opened in the Colosseum tonight by his Lordship Bishop Brodie at 8 o'clock, and will continue for ten nights. There will be a wealth of every conceivable kind of attraction for the public, who can be assured of obtaining full value for their money. Over 450 people will be taking part in the organisation of I the various entertainmenTs, stalls, j etc. The decorations of the stalls are particularly elaborate, and no! pains have been spared to organise fascinating entertainments, of which dancing will be a feature. Besides the stalls, which comprise tea gardens, surprise packet stall, Paddy's market, children's stalls, men's stall, ice cream stall, Christmas tree and bran tubs, there will be a great number of side-shows, many of which are of an entirely novel character. A splendid lot of goods has been given in connection with the carnival, including magnificent point lace work, Irish crochet work, lace work of all descriptions, art work, such as oil paintings, metal work, woodwork, gramophones, silverware, jewellery, and furniture. The Queen election and art union, which will be run in conjunction with the carnival, will add to the interest and excitement of the undertaking.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The strong vaudeville bill at present in season at His Majesty’s Theatre was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience at that theatre last evening. Most of the turns are quite new, and those that are not are all welcome reappearances. Ted McLean and Genevieve Lee score huge successes nightly with their amusing sketch, “Leave Well Enough Alone.” An outstanding musical turn is provided by The Bentleys, with their wonderful marimba xylophone, while the Hamptons, a pair of waybacks, are seen in an amazing act on wheels. Lilian Teece is a girl with a charming personality and a repertoire of sweet songs. Signor and Signora Molinari are still appearing, with new selections from grand opera, and Malcolm McEachern, Australia’s premier basso profundo, is also heard in new items. Harris and Gold, entertainers; Coleman Sisters, sou•brettes; Milner and Storey, musical comedy artists; and John Larkin, coloured comedian, are also appearing. WILLIAMSON’S COMIC OPERA SEASON. “The Pink Lady,” the latest musical comedy success, will be seen for the first time in Christchurch on Mondav at the Theatre Royal. The poduct'ion is by the J. C. Williamson Roval Comic Opera Company, which will be making a welcome reappearance after an absence of over two years. Full of excellent melody, possessing a coherent plot, and at the same time leaving opportunity for colour and motion of chorus and ballet, this piece has been a phenomenal success wherever it has been staged. The piece abounds in tuneful numbers, which are in every instance well within range and treatment to those entrusted with them. The title role of “The Pink Lady” will be taken by Miss Minnie Love, a part in which she has unlimited opportunities. Miss Florence Young also has an excellent part, and one that she brings into prominence bv her excellent acting and finished singing. Miss Gladys Moncrieff is well and effectively placed in this production, and Miss Addie Leonard has an excellent opportunity of showing her ability as a character actress. Amongst the other ladies who give a good account of themselves in this piece are Jessie Caffyn, Eloise Miller, Majorie Bray and Main Baird. Those two excellent comedians, Phil Smith and Leslie Holland, are also in the cast. Mr Reginald Roberts’s singing is said to be one of the successes of the piece. The mounting is slated to be most picturesque, the ballets novel and quaint, and the choruses exceedingly bright on all occasions. “The Pink Lady” will be staged for four nights only, for which the box plans will open at Milner and Thompson’s to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock. The | last two nights will be devoted to a | representation of the delightful and I fascinating comic opera “The Cinema 1 Star.” POM-POM PIERROTS AT THE OPERA HOUSE. At the Opera House on Monday I (New Zealand Cup) night Mrs H. R. i Smith’s clever entertainment party, i known as the Pom-Pom Pierrots, will make their first appearance in the city. Although the “Pom-Poms” have never before appeared actually in Christchurch, they are well known in the country districts which they have toured on behalf of the Lady Liverpool Trench Comforts Fund, and their entertainment on Monday night should draw a packed house. The company is comI posed of well-known Christchurch | artists, and the entire production is ; under the direction of Mr William ! Densem, a well-known figure in theatrical circles. Besides concerted items the programme on Monday will ■ include items by Lulu Hannay (contralto), Grace Jones (soubreitc and dancer), Jean Adams (elocutionist), Montague Gillmore (tenor), Charles Lawrence (light comedian), William Fredericks (raconteur), and Robert Kirk (pianist). The prices of admission are 2/- and 1/-, and the box plan is at The Bristol.