THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1735, 5 September 1919, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. Vaudeville patrons have been well catered for this week at the Opera I.'ouse, as the class of items given by the performers is of a truly entertaining iiature. Unstinted praise has been extended to the vocal efforts of Signor *nd Signora Molinari, who are heard in solos and duets. Together they sing, "Come, Sing To Me," "Addio," and * • rHinieuli, Funicula." An, amazing -rariety of questions was asked of Astras by last night's audience, and in tweh ease the answer was accurate and 5 a many cases exceedingly diverting. Urufl and Hemsley and Sylvester are, i ; usual, good. To-morrow evening the j roduetion, "The King of Dunnowheretk\," in which Walter George and his J nnshine Players appear, will be presented finally. This musical comedy is •without doubt the best yet given by the e lever company. GRAND THEATRE. After seeing Nazimova in "Eye for Jive" one becomes mosr enthusiastic over the superb dramatic ability of the ■» oung Russian. This, her latest offering, showing at the Grand Theatre, is « omplete in every detail. Initial scenes nre laid in the dreamy, mysterious deport where, living with a nomadic tribe, is a reckless, passionate child. The bind takes captive one day a handsome naval officer, who is condemned to «'oath. The girl aids him to eseape, and, earning the hatred of her friends for lier act, is left in the desert to die. 3'escued by another band she is sold as :i dancing girl in Tangiers. It is in this city that all the glamour of age«!<l customs and strange practices of religion are traced in a faithful and f'riking manner. Nazimova, as Hasrouna, comes in the final scenes to the £ reside of one of the most fashionable American homes and it is here that she forcefully shows her splendid artistry. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A widow is wooed by four candidates for the slippers and dressing gown of 1 or late husband in "Romance and Arabella," at Everybody's Theatre this r.eek. At last the widow's eyes are opened to the astounding fact that the man she really loves has been at ber elbow all the time. The central role fits Constance Talmadge very neatly, jind the production throughout has the j;ir of refinement. Harrison Ford, who lias figured prominently, and with no little success, in many Select offerings, -days opposite the chief actress. It i * supported by other good films, and at 1 he evening sessions by the music of a splendid orchestra. crystaiTpalace. Adapted from the popular novel by Uidgwell Cullum, "The Way of the Strong" makes a first-class picture. An outstanding feature of ' the piece is its beautiful scenery, which has enraptured the full attendances at the Crystal Palace, where it is being run. The tale is set in mountain fastnesses and ihe views of huge canons and snow- < apped mountains are most inspiring. Anna Q. Nilsson is seen, v in two roles, the first being that of a miserable, morally weak woman, and the second that of a high-minded girl who brings ultimate happiness to many lives. There is a vast store of diversion in the supports, the chief of these being "Preparedness" and "Wolves of Kultur."

LIBERTY THEATRE. Attention is arrested at the outset in "Mickey," the stellar film at the Liberty Theatre this week, and so adroitly is the production handled that there is not one dull moment in the ■whole eight reels. Miss Normand is star and the supporting cast is well chosen. Each player is perfectly fitted for his part. Wheeler Oakman is a fine bero, Lewis Cody an equally fine -villain. George Nichols was aptly cast as Joe Meadows, Mickey's guardian. Minnie, the old Indian who has appeared in so many pictures, never gave a better performance than in "Mickey." Minta Durfee, Laura la "Varnie, and Tom Kennedy complete the cast. Owing to the enormous popularity of "Mickey," and the fact that during the present week hundreds have been disappointed in gaining admission to see the film, the management has made arrangements to continue screening the film for another week. STRAND THEATRE. All who have visited the Strand Theatre this week have found the entertainment a particularly well-balanced one. Humour of the rapid-action variety is dispensed in "He Comes Up Smiling." In this item Doug. Fairbanks is one day tending his wealthy master's canary, Agamemnon, when it escapes. He gives chase and - meets with a series of startling adventures. As with the book so in the film version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is the predominating note a sad one. The roles of little Eva St. Clair and the irrepressible Topsy are handled with remarkable success by Marguerite Clark. QUEEN 'STHEATRE. The genius for finding good juvenile actors which has always marked the Vitagraph producers is exemplified in "The Fettered Woman," where Webster Campbell, who plays opposite to Alice Joyce, is a charming and likeable hero, full of manly grace. A very pretty love* romance develops. Remarkably beautiful settings characterise the jjlay. The head liner is "Friend Husband." Madge Kennedy's ability to get the most out of fareical situations makes the picture an unqualified success.

SYDENHAM THEATRE. A special announcement is made by the management of the Sydenham Theatre that, at the matinee to-morrow, "Mickey," the popular comedy-drama, •will be the feature film. SCOTTISH SOcFeTY'S CEILIDH. A very successful ceilidh was held last night by the Scottish Society. The attendance was particularly good, many men from H.M.S. New Zealand being

present and Chief MacGillivray presided. The programme was as follows:—Songs by Mesdames J. Stallard and Palmer, Miss Napper, and Messrs W. T. McKay and Guy Struthers; a duet by Mrs MacGillivray and Mr Struthers; banjo selections by Mr L. Bloy; violin solos by Miss Gibb; a reel o' Tulloch by Misses Buist; a seann triubhais by Miss N. McDonald; a hornpipe by Miss C. Brackenridge; a Highland fling by Miss G. Robertson, and a Highland reel by a number of juveniles.