THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. The smart and snappy nature of the programme of vaudeville at present running at the Opera House has attracted large audiences. A medley of quips, songs and dances is given in most enjoyable style by Ray and Gray, while something of the same nature is given by Walter Emerson and Gwen Hasto. A charming old song given by Pollard and Jackson is "Eileen Allaiiah." The Paynes repeat their most enjoyable tutu. A well-planned veutriloquial sketch is provided by Victor the Great, assisted by Madam Clothilda and Gladys. The varied and high-class nature of the vaudeville fare is well sustained by Lily Yockler, the Delavales and Louis Nikola. STRAND THEATRE. Seldom, if ever, has Mary Pickford given a more clever performance than in "Stella Maris," the latest Artcraft photo-play screened initially at the Strand Theatre today. Her interpretation of the character of Unity Blake, the queer girl with uncouth manners and grotesque appearance, is a masterly piece of work. But in that of Stella Maris herself Miss Pickford is given an opportunity 6f displaying her winsome manners and charming personality to the lull. Although the part calls for little his- ■ trionic ability Miss Pickford makes the ! character stand out with rare clarity from ! the background of the play. The part of the degenerate wife by another member of the company is one of the finest individual characterisations seen here for a long time. The well-known American actor, Conway Tearle, is also seen to advantage. Elsie Eerguson is also seen in "A Doll's House," a photo-play dealing with the domestic storms brought on by a narrow-minded husband. Additional attractions arc: "The Eagle's Eye," "All Fur Her" (comedy), and the topical budget. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Situations rich with Irish humour characterise "Thirty a Week," the main attraction to be displayed at Everybody's Theatre next week. "Thirty a Week" is the story of a chauffeur who is in love with a girt who has money, and a man who has even more money is his rival. Tom Moore is the chauffeur. Goldwyn made the picture, and described it as a romance of a thin bank roll and a stout heart. The beautiful girt loves the chauffeur, but her parents arc not at all pleased when the two get married. They want their daughter to marry a wealthy young fellow, who seems to be a bit of a prig. The misunderstandings of the two are helped in all possible ways by the prig, and meanwhile the hero is offered much money and refuses, and wins some more, which he gives away. Enjoyable entertainment does not stop here, however, as June Caprice will be shown in "A Modern Cinderella." Episode nine of "The House of Hate" serial is one of the supports. QUEEN'S THEATRE. With the usual change of programme at the Queen's Theatre on Monday a headliner stated to provide an hour and a quarter of unalloyed enjoyment will be screened, This is "A Game with Fate," a Vitagraph study with a plot most original and clever with a mystery well concealed till the end. The popular Harry Morey and Denton Vane, as well as the pretty Betty Blythe, are the principal actors. The drama, which is most realistically staged and mounted, tells of a man who, on circumstantial evidence alone, was tried and condemned to death for the murder of a man who was still alive. How he was saved on the threshold of the electric chair by a miraculous stroke of good fortune makes the climax most dramatic and exciting. The accompanying pictures include a comedy, "Captain Jink's Kids," and a Pathe interest. GRAND THEATRJS. "Boston Blackie's Little Pal," the foremost picture at the Grand Theatre to-day, has most of the elements that make for popularity. For the most part it is a serious story with several scenes of great dramatic power and not a little humour. "The lteturn of Mary," featuring May Allison will be the star item on the new list to be given next week. This is the story of a girl who, at the age of three, was kidnapped from the magnificent home of her wealthy parents. It is a very prettily-mounted photo-play teeming with lively incidents. How Mary was returned to her parents and taken away from them after they had grown to love her is told in a romantic way. The supports arc headed by a reissue production of Chaplin's success, "His New Job." CRYSTAL PALACE. Following the usual practice of giving the public a lengthy programme, the management of the Crystal Palace are running two feature pictures next week. Gcraldine Family the popular celebrity of opera and screen, and Cecil B. de Mille, the talented exponent of a photo-play technique, combine to make of "The Woman God Forgot," a great -film. This is stated to be a line spectacle passing on a page of American history of the lime when Montezuma and his Aztecs were conquered by the Spaniards. The scenes were laid in the splendid capital of ancient Mexico—the treasurehouse of the Aztec nation darkened by human sacrifice. The second stellar film is "A Bride of Fear," featuring Jewel Carmen. LIBERTY THEATRE. Romance and humour have been combined in a manner which pleases in "Back to the Woods," a headliner featuring Miss Mabel Normand, which is to commence running at the Liberty Theatre next week. GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY. The Christchurch Glee and Madrigal Society will give the fourth concert of their 1918 season, postponed from December on account of the epidemic on Monday week, in the Art Gallery. An excellent programme of solos, part songs, glees and madrigals has been prepared by the choir, under Mr Sidney Williamson. Miss Dorothy Naumann wilt be accompanist. The soloists will be Miss Marjorie Harris (soprano), and Mr Stanley Wright (bass.). SYDENHAM PICTURES. The picture bill to be submitted this evening at the Sydenham Theatre is a double star one. "The Medicine Man," with Roy Stewart as hero, and "Salvation Joan," featuring the favourite Edna Mayo, are the chief offerings. The eighth instalment of the serial "The House of Hate," is the main adjunct. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week Mabel Normand will be | shown in "Back to the Woods," and Olga Petrova in "The Light Within." SKATING RINK. The young people turned out in force this morning to the matinee at the Colosseum Skating Rink. The usual sessions will be observed this afternoon and evening when special efforts will be made to complete the instruction given to the.learners. The band conducted by Mr Dunn will attend the session from 2.30 to 5 p.m. and as usual at the last session. An innovation that has rcI ceived much recognition is tiie balcony cafe, while spectators have greatly appreciated the restful lounges. Season tickets arc now on sale and in view of the difficulty patrons have in the rush periods of getting skates these can be reserved for a small charge.