THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1411, 21 August 1918, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. The most popular company which has yet appeared in Christchurch under the Fuller direction is the Walter George Company of Sunshine Players, which is now in season at the Opera House. The current production is a miniature musical comedy entitled "The Orange Girl," which as an entertaining medium would be indeed difficult to surpass. Its musical numbers arc good, the humour uproarious, but at the same time" wholesome, while the ballet effects are distinctly pleasing. Polly McLaren, the talented danseuse of the company, executes a delightful dance speciality. The supporting programme consists of six good turns, including the first appearance of Hughie Osilvie, the hilarious Highlander. This artist is now highly popular. Another new turn is that of Wells and Wells, a duo of sensational gymnasts and comedy acrobats. Cremer and Arnold are reanncaring with a laughable sketch, "Through the Wrong Window," while Phil Percival, the comedian at the piano; Brull and Hemslev, the clever burlescme artists; and Durno, the trick cyclist, are also appearing. "PEG O' MY HEART." "Peg o' My Heart" again bewitched a large audience at the King's Theatre last night. Peg, in her thousand Hashing moods—tender, roguish, tragic, compassionate, merry—is a very winning person, and the audience followed the career of herself —and Michael—with the closest and most sympathetic attention. Of the supporting characters, Mr Felix Bland as the absurd but somehow likeable Alaric Chichester, got most out of his part, although one must admit, granting the lesser scope that Mr George Chalmers, as "Jarvis," ran him very close. Altogether this comedy of youth, as it is styled, was very refreshing and bright and thoroughly enjoyable. It will be repeated to-night and for the next three nights. BARTON'S CIRCUS. The last nights are announced of Barton's Circus, and patrons of this popular form of entertainment should make a point of witnessing the present show before the conclusion of their season in this city. Again last night a full house greeted the numerous performers, who were all favourably received. The turn of the Flying Lees is well worth the price of admission, as also is that of the two Daring Deans. The Fredo Boys, who are making their final tour of New Zealand, delighted the spectators with their excellent acrobatic and musical act. Master Toa, a child of seven or eight years of age, proved his ability as a contortionist, and on completing his turn was warmly applauded. The other turns presented included those of the Martinettes, triple-bar busters, Benhams, the clever "upside down" man, De Car, the somersaulting waiter, and n specially attractive turn by George Alton, entitled "The Imperial Ladder Act." Several clowns, ladv and gentleman riders, horses, ponies, and bucking donkeys, help to make the circus a success. STRAND THEATRE. Vivacious Marguerite Clark goes on from success to masterpiece, a fact which is amply evidenced this week at (lie Strand Theatre, where the charming young artist is appearing in the latest of the "Bab" series, "Bab's Diary." It is a picture in which the humour and pathos are blended with supreme artistrv, and Although the plot is light, its serious moments and the wav they are presented, make it a delightful entertainment. Miss Clark infuses her magnetic personalty into the play and acts the part of a girl who innocently gels into serious trouble, in a wonderfully natural manner. The picture is finely produced and photographed, and is complete in all departments. In support of this subject is a good programme of oilier pictures, including an interesting travelogue and two good Gazettes. COLOSSEUM SKATING RINK. Skaters are reminded that the Colosseum Rink closes on Saturday night, so that there now remain but a few days more of the 1018 season. The usual sessions are being observed this week. i

CRYSTAL PALACE. It is not often that theatre managements can announce that they have two such starring attractions as Mary Pickford and Theda Bara on the same programme. This week at Crystal Palace, however, these two. artists are appearing in pictures which mark the height of their respective careers to date, and in presenting these two pictures on the same programme, Crystal Palace has made still another step in the direction of making motion pictures the premier form of entertainment in this city. "A Romance of the Redwoods" is the Artcraft super-feature in seven reels, in which Miss Pickford sets out to still further enslave the hearts of picturegoers. In "The Devil's Daughter," Theda Bara is seen again in the class of role in which she made her debut, and also the role which has gained for her her worldwide popularity, the vampire role. Her foreign cast of countenance and her exotic beauty give her a versatility which enables her to portray a great variety of parts with supreme skill and in'"The Devil's Daughter," as a passionate Italian woman, she surpasses any of her previous efI forts. Tt is the story of a woman who 1 is transformed from a loving sweet-1 heart to a raging fiend by the theft of her jewels by a man whom she once loved. Henceforth all men are her enemies, and she beeins a career of evil. The conclusion is one of the most powerful yet presented in any olay. This picture is screened at the sessions commencing at 4 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., in addition to the ordinary programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There is an excellent story in the big attraction, "Shirley Kaye," screening at Everybody's Theatre this week. Clara Kimball Young, who plays the leading role, is supported by an all-star cast. Many fine dramatic situations arise at every step throughout the story, which deals with the life of New York's wealthy set and introduces a story of love and the intriguing of a clever woman and an equally clever, but generous-hearted man. The scene is laid amid the mansions of Long Island, where Shirley Kaye reigns as queen of the "younger set." Into this set, Daisy Magen is ardently desirous of entering, and her wish is furthered by the schemes of Shirley Kaye, who uses the ambition of the younger girl to further her own ends. The play tells in a fitting manner of the attempt of opposing financiers to depose her (Shirley Kaye's) father from the presidency of a certain railroad company. In a clever manner the story concludes by Shirley saving her father from financial ruin at the expense of his rivals. Other good supports are included in this really fine programme, which is backed up by the many classical selections by the augmented orchestra. LIBERTY THEATRE. "The Strong Way," as produced by World, acted by a strong cast, with June Elvidge at the head of it, and presented to patrons of the Liberty Theatre during this week, is a picture that will hold the interest of any ordinary mortal. The dramatic element has been developed here "to a great strength, and the scenes have most of them this great advantage, that they might be real, so vivid arc they. The action is not at all complicated. There are few sideissues to the main theme; nothing to take the interest awav from "the Hying plot. And it is not necessary, For the circumstances of a woman who has married a beast of a man, and who has to fall back- on an old lover of hers for help are sufficiently interesting. But when added to this a man is murdered, the lover comes to the woman's room at midnight, claiming innocence and asking help, is found there, and the woman ?iefends him at the expense of her character, then the film is almost stnrtlingly interesting. "The Strong Way" is well supported by pictures and by the orchestra. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CONCERT. The Commercial. Travellers will give a concert in the Choral Hall on Saturday evening next, under the conductorship of Alfred Worsley, A.R.M.C.M. The programme will consist of part songs and solos, and an enjoyable evening is assured. During the interval home-made sweets will be sold by the young ladies of the. Harbour Lights Society. Proceeds are to he devoted to Christmas comforts for the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. Box plan and tickets are at Messrs Webley Sons and Gofton,

GRAND THEATRE. After many weeks' hard work on the part of the contractors, the management of the Grand Theatre are at last enabled to announce, a definite date for the reopening. Monday next is the»day fixed and the grand reopening will take place at 7.45 p.m. The entire theatre has been remodelled and everything that can possibly conduce to the comfort and pleasure of patrons has been installed. The seating accommodation is of the very latest type, ample space being allowed between the rows of seats, and also spacious aisles, so that patrons are enabled to enter and leave their seats with the least inconvenience to others. Each seat has been so arranged that a perfect view of the screen is obtainable from any part of the house. The heating and ventilation has been carried out under expert advice. The screen itself is the very last word, and that, with the latest machine, will ensure the most perfect projection of pictures that it is possible to obtain. The management has also recognised that no small part of the enjoyment of picture patrons is provided by the musical accompaniment, and an orchestra of seven performers has 1 been especially selected, and they I will be'under the able direction of Mr A. L. Sutton. This combination of players will render both classical and other items. The programme that has been arranged for the grand reopening is one that should attract large crowds to the theatre, as it is one of super-excellence. This will be headed by a superb drama, featuring one of the world's greatest actresses, Nazimova, a Russian, who has won international fame. There will also be a super serial entitled "The Great Secret," and as a recommendation, all that need be said is that the leading roles are* in the bands of those noted screen stars, Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Bayne. The humorous nortion of the programme will be a Charlie Chaplin film. There will also be other items in support. With a luxurious theatre and an excellent programme, the opening of the new Grand Theatre on Monday next promises to be a record event. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The fine double star programme at orcsent showing at the Queen's Theatre continues to draw crowded houses, and last evening proved no exception to the rule. The Signal masterpiece, "The Slain in the Blood," in. which Edythe Sterling and Norbert A. Myles are featured in the leading roles, shows the career of two orphans, Mary and Joe Thompson, whose parents are victims of an Indian raid upon their wagon train. In this production the plot is a rather sensational one. A woman threatened with divorce proceedings by her husband in consequence of her relations with a criminal brother, breaks into an attorney's office to steal certain documentary evidence which will ruin her. While there she encounters a real burglar, who turns out to be her brother. The entrance of a detective, and of both husband and attorney fills the stage for a scene in which the woman, wounded by a pistol shot, reveals that her supposed lover is her brother, and wins her husband's forgiveness. A two-reel "Flying A" drama, "The Hills of Glory," containing many thrilling situations and I exciting adventures, is also screened. The final chapter of the great and popular serial, "A Lass of the Lumberlands," entitled "Retribution," is at present being screened, and the story concludes showing the downfall of "Dollar Holmes." A very amusing comedy, entitled Ruffhouse, brings an interesting and entertaining programme to a finish. The same programme will be screened again this evening. CHAMBER CONCERTS. On Monday and Tuesday next Miss Millicent Jennings, Miss Jean Burrowes, Mr James Cocks, and MiLeslie Andreae, accompanied by Mrs J. Monteath, Mrs J. Guthrie, and Miss Olive Ballantyne, will be heard in a programme of exceptional interest, which will include English and French songs of the seventeenth century, modern songs by English and j French composers, and an old Italian duet; piano solos by Scarlatti, Saint! Saens, and Debussy; and violin i solos by Bach, Rachmaninoff, and J Cottenet. The proceeds are for the! Red Cross Fund. Tickets may be | obtained at the depot, Cathedral I Square. i

"THE BING BOYS ARE HERE." In view of the glowing reports received from Australia, and more recently Auckland and Wellington, of the enormously successful revue, "The Bing Boys Are Here," it should be a highly expectant audience that will no doubt crowd the Theatre Royal on Saturday night next, when this big spectacular production will be staged for the first time in Christchurch. This revue has been an unqualified success, both in Sydney and Melbourne, it being stated to be one of the best things of its kind seen in Australia for many years. As a novelty, it is stated, there has never been anything like it, being described as a glittering, glorious spectacle, crowded with novelties, switched on in lightning-like sue-1 cession. Pretty girls, screaming i comedy, catchy song successes, I funny comedians, brilliant ensembles, and ballets innumerable. It has been pronounced by all who have witnessed it, "perfect in every detail," and far away the best revue the firm of J. C. Williamson has ever staged in the Dominion. Reference must be made to the brilliant cast of artists engaged, the abundance of fun and humour, the wonderful spectacular and lighting effects, making "The Big Boys Are Here," the biggest, brightest, and most gorgeous attraction ever sent on tour by the big firm. The Williamson management has gathered together a collection of musical comedy artists who are all said to be thoroughly imbued with the revue spirit. The Auckland and Wellington critics unanimously agreed that "The Bing Boys" is the biggest achievement the Williamson firm has ever presented in New Zealand. The box plans for the nine nights' season will open at Milner and Thompson's to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.