THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 7

THE THEATRES.

ADA REEVE. J{ "The genius of Ada Reeve" is generally acknowledged, but if there B were any inclined to other than a fl full acceptance of this fact, their sub- fa jection must have been complete it they attended at the Theatre Royal last evening. The talented comcdienne then appeared in a budget f) of new songs, ranging from broad -y comedy to ragtime, from sentiment to pathos. The audience, being unusually persistent, refused three times to accept the lowering o2 (he n curtain as the termination, and as a G consequence were generously re- U, warded with some of the old v numbers, "Nobody Cares" was a<\ new number in which the artiste j voiced a heartbroken cry of yearn- ( ] ing, sending a wave of sentimental- ( ity over the house. "I Never Forget j I'm a Lady," trilled the artiste, and , the description of the adventures of y a novcau riche set the house laugh- [ ing. A quasi-dramatic interlude y came with "A Woman's Eyes," an \ incident of the triumph of mother- { hood. "You Do a Lot of Things Beside the Seaside," "Beware," a "Sillv Questions," "I Tooral I Ay," "When Richard the First Sat on the Throne" all provided moments of delicious comedy, whilst sentiment t was further represented in "The c Place Called Home." The whole was 1 a personal triumph for Miss Reeve, t The change of programme was ox- i tended to most of the vaudeville s offerings of the rest of the com- j pany. Talleur Andrews dembnstrat- r ed his capabilities in the dramatic s {•rologue to "I Pagliacci," "On With 8 he Motley!" His robust and beau- \ tifully-produced tenor voice and c clear diction, aided by his natural ( sympathy, made a decided success c of the operatic number. Two other j light Irish songs met with a good " reception. Further singing numbers by Harry Jacobs and Peggy Peat, new magical problems and feats of memorising by Louis Nikola, fresh t "dances of the nations" by Lucie <" Linda, and grotesque fun and hit- ' mour by Kennedv Allen comprised fl the balance of \hc change, whilst > Rogero contributed his instrumental t mimicry. The clever sol ire, "In the s Future," by the English Comedy • Company also was successfully pre- J sented. ', STRAND THEATRE. 1 That well-produced and enter- ( tabling comedy-drama, "Hashimura j Togo," featuring the popular actor, f Sessue Havakawa, which has dc- t lighted large attendances through- s out the week at the Strand Theatre - will be presented finally this evening. Included on the supporting programme is a screaming Mack Sen'nett comedy. "His Pullman Bride." There will be a change of programme to-morrow when "Seven Keys to Baldpate" will be shown. In this play the eminent stage comedian, Geo. M. Cohan, plays the leading role. It is the second picture which this famous actor hr.s appeared in, the first being "Broadway Jones." There will be other good pictures in support. LIBERTY THEATRE. The final presentations of the delightful World Film drama, "The Volunteer," featuring Madge Evans, will take place at the Liberty Theatre to-morrow. "Alimony" is the title of the big drama which will be screened next week. This picture is an amazing indictment of the Divorce Court practices that have grown round the vicious free and easy marriage tribunals of many modern cities. It is a marvel of costly production and beautiful settings. Lois Wilson is the beautiful young star who portrays the part of the wife who is the victim of circumstances. It is an eight-act production and marks an epoch in the kinema art. Another chapter of "The Neglected Wife" is also on the programme. GRAND THEATRE. wonderful charm of Madame Olga Petrova is expressed al its best in "More Truth Than Poetry," the Metro feature which has been shown at the Grand Theatre this week. Tt is a story of the way in which the sudden advent of fame to a young lawyer makes him neglect his wife, who has been the means of giving him the chance of his lifetime. He prefers the company of another woman, and his brokenhearted wife goes awav, only to encounter the two culprits. The conclusion is a startling one. The supporting programme includes the final chapter of "The Mysteries of Myra." SYDENHAM PICTURES. The programme at the Sydenham Theatre this evening is one of big proportions. Pride of place is given to Ihe sporting drama, "They're Off," with Enid Bennett in the lead, and a fine comedy, "His Perfect Day," "The Mysteries of Myra" and the sixth chapter of the "History of the War."

OPERA HOUSE. This evening the Tom Haverley Revue Company will present "Two Irish Sports" at the Opera House for the last time, and to-morrow the production will be succeeded by "The Man in Black," another tuneful and hilarious offering. This ™ill be given its opening run at to-n.jr-row afternoon's bargain matinee. In addition there will be a good supporting programme of vaudeville turns, including the old favourites, Vaude and Verne. STARLAND~THEATRE. Crowded houses at Starland have ■been delighted bv the presentation of William Fox's million dollar spectacle, "A Daughter of the Gods," in which the famous Australian diving i Venus, Annette Kellermann, appears. It is a ten-reel production of wonderful mythical romances, and a deep, intense love which existed uninterrupted through three amazing reincarnations. It is safe to say that scenic settings of equal beauty to those in this picture have never been attempted in any other film. There arc some wonderfully spectacular scenes in the play, which will be screened again this evening and three times to-morrow. QIJEEN'S~THEATRE. Mary Miles Minter in "Her Country's Call," a Mutual drama, is the current attraction at the Queen's Theatre. This is quite the best picture in which this dainty young artist has yet appeared, and it is on somewhat different lines from her previous efforts. It contains some remarkably fine scenic settings. The story tells of a young girl who was abducted and taken to live in the wilds, and brought up in ignorance of her parentage. The conclusion details a number of thrilling incidents. Included on the supporting programme is another instalment of "The Girl and the Game." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "They're Off," the thrilling drama telling of racing life, will be screened at Everybody's Theatre for the last time to-morrow evening. A big attraction is announced for next week, when "The Battle of Arras," the latest official war film, will be screened. This picture is claimed to be the best British official production to date, and is the last word in thrilling realism. It is not confined merely to views of the back line and base, but depicts the life of the men in the front line. In one place the camera follows the attackers right into ihe enemy trenches. The picture will be screened all next week.

CRYSTAL PALACE. "Heart and Soul," which has been secured as the opening attraction at the Crystal Palace to-morrow evening, is Miss Theda Bara's latest and greatest contribution to the silent drama. It is a play in which all the deep emotional expression of which she is capable is brought into force. There are indications that crowded houses will prevail at this luxurious theatre, so the advice to those who wish to be assured of obtaining admission, particularly on the opening night, is "book your seats."' The plan for the first seven nights is now on view at The Bristol, where seats may be reserved for sixpence extra.