THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2018, 3 August 1920, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. Tike llic famous curate's egg, the current programme at the Opera House, which was presented to a large and appreciative audience last evening, is "good in parts." Some of the turns presented are ol" a very high order indeed, while others, again, are of the ordinary vaudeville type. The much-billed Billv Elliott, a burnt-cork comedian of rheerful temperament and undoubted talent, received an excellent healing. He lias an easy and confidential manner, and lie had his "audience wholly with him when, .seated upon the top of the piano, he proceeded to relate "scandal" about the other artists. His singing of -near Old Mammy" was well appreciated, but the turn was all too short. Another new arrival, in Hal to, also made a great impression with an equilibrist performance of some novelty. Ward and Sherman, who appear in an e\rruciatinglv funny sketch, "The Woman Haters' Union." again occupy a prominent place on the programme. This pair provide a reallv line turn, the comedy efforts ol Mr Ward being especially worthy of men ion. Eddie Martyn is an imperturbable-looking gentleman who sings pleasingly and who shows considerable skill in his dancing. He is entering into the last week ol his Christchurch season. Pagden an.l Stanley are also wortliv of special mention. 1 heir turn provides something new in eomeclj work, and its freshness has a sure appeal. The Smithsonians are two vocalists whose singing is of a merit seldom, unfortunately, heard on the Fuller circuit. Ihe bass Sin„i especially has a splendid voice, which he knows how to use to the best advantage. The pair's singing of "Excelsior was well received bv the audience, and, except Im a little raggrducss or time, was a very good item. The reappearance was made of Ivitcn and Kliftie. who presented a comedj aci - batic item which consisted ol the usual amount of tumbling on the part ol the artists. Thurbcr and Thurbcr appealed u an eccentric novelty act made up manlb ol burlesoue of a rather ordinary stand, hi. Curlv Sherwood sings a number ol populai song's and chats merrily across the footlights. Yince and Eva Courtney appear in a sketch and sing several good nmibei_s. As usual, Mr Albert Bid goods orclicsti.j lert nothing to be desired rendering good support to the artists and providing enti acte music as well.

"THE MAX THEY COULD NOT HANG." "The Man Thev Could Not .Iliiilg," the sensational picturisation of the lilt' story «f John Lee. wliic-h is being presented at the Liberty Tlicatre, is one ol the most unusual ami remarkably Interesting piettires that the screen lias yet presented, and there can he no question as to the success of its presentation. The picture tells, 111 a thrilling and engrossing manner, the lite story of John I.ee, from boyhood to manhood. John Lee, loved and respected by nil who knew him, lived in Babbacomhc, a little English village. In 1881 he was accused of the murder of Emma Keyse, his benefactress, former maid-of-honour to Queen Victoria, and was sentenced to death. He was placed ou the scaffold, but, through some unseen power, the gallows thrice refused to work. His sentence was then commuted to penal servitude for life. After I.ee had spent 21! years of bis life in prison, the real murderer confessed, and I.ee was released. The picture is starllingly vivid and amazingly realistic. An accompanying lecture is delivered by Mr licdcrick Haldane. CRYSTAL PALACE. "Lombard!. Ltd.." the current feature at the Costal Palace, is quite a unique film, «nd oiie that has all the elements to make it fascinate the public. Bert Lytcll, the handsome and beguiling film actor, has the star part, and that he makes the most of it goes without saying. He takes the part or THo Lombard!, a fashionable Fifth Avenue dressmaker, who has an absolute genius for creating wonderful gowns, but is at the same time somewhat of an amateur ill lovemaking, while as Tor business instincts—•well, he has none at all. He idealises bis love, Phyllis Manning, and offers her the reverential devotion of a poet and a genius, which is utterly thrown away on the shallow and fickle Phyllis. Meanwhile the business, devoid of any capable business head, drifts towards ruin, and in the hour of his financial wash-out his fiancee leaves him for the other man, and his patrons desert him. Then be discovers the one true heart in his establishment —Norah Blake, a capable and common-sense assistant, and Hie two pull the business out of the rut of financial depression and put it on a good sound footing. A comedy, "Nearly a Hero." and a topical film also appear on the programme. GRAND THEATRE. Who does not love to travel? All who do should not fail to see the big travel picture showing the route from England to NewZealand, via the Panama Canal, now on the bill at the Grand Theatre. This interesting journev was made on board the R.M.S. Tainui" The picture shows in a vivid and striking manner the scenery around the Panama Canal, and is altogether quite an education to witness. A charming Vitagraph feature. "Pegeen," is also showing at the Grand this week. It is a photoplay based on the novel of the same name, by Eleanor Hovt Brainerd, and the name part is taken by the dainty little film favourite, Bessie Love. She portrays the part of an Irish colleen, and the main supporting parts arc taken by Edward Burns and Ruth Fuller Golden. Bessie I/ivc has never had a more appealing and attractive part than that which she sustains so bewitchingly ill "Pegeen." Seats may be reserved at The Bristol. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Maurice Tourneur's screen version of the famous Driiry Lane melodrama, "The Boinanv Bve," is being shown this week at Everybody's Theatre, under the title or "The Life Line." It is a powerful dramatic storv, made picturesque by the gipsy atmosphere that is so cleverly sustained. There is a sensational wreck in the photoplay, and the scenes where the passengers are transferred from the ship to the shore in a breeches buoy are wonderfully realistic. The incidents in the fox-hunt, and the burning of the theatre, arc most thrilling. and altogether the play is a vivid and absorbing one. The play is interpreted by a fine cast, headed by Jack Holt, Seena Owen, and Pauline Starke. The supporting programme includes the latest Paramount-Art-crart comedy-drama, "Luck in Pawn." in -which the clever little actress. Marguerite f.lark, has the leading part. A speciallyaugmented orchestra, conducted by Mr \\\ J. Bellingham, accompanies the screening with a line selection of musical numbers. SYDENHAM PICTURES. "The White Lie," stalling Bessie Barriscale, is the exclusive feature on the current programme at the Sydenham Pictures. The ?,upporting programme includes a Pathe comedy, "Why Go Home?" "Welcome Home," a Christie comedy, and a number of topical films.

"MOTHER HUBBARD." The old nursery rhyme of "Mother Hubbard" is the theme of the bright and picturesque pantomime that ,1. and N. Tait, in conjunction with Bailey and Grant, are to present at the Theatre Royal on Thursday next. Barry I.upino is the Dame, and he is ably assisted by the well-known comedian Jack Cannot as Mr Hubbard. Dorothy Leigh is admirably suited to the role of Principal Boy. Daisy Yates is dainty and lovable as Principal Girl, and supplies quite a lot of the terpsichorean art. The beautiful Elsie Parkes is premiere dunseuse, and is prominent in many ballets with Kelso Henderson. The simultaneous dancers. Moon and Morris, supply a "Mutt and Jeff" number that is a riot of fun from start to finish Hie acrobatic juggling of ilia Crcightoiis is a sensation. Miss Edith Walker, as Kairv Queen, commands hordes of little people from fairyland to do her bidding with the aid of her magic wand. Miss Celtic Ijitehl'ord, as maid-of-all-work ill the nurserv scene, is responsible for most of the best laughs in that scene. The famous animal impersonator, William Hassan, as "Bullv," fills all the kiddies with affection Tor the Dame's dog. Miss Alice Parkes is ballet mistress, and the magnificent scenerv is from the brushes of William and John Itowell. Robert Keers will lie in charge of the orchestra. Rox plans al The Bristol Piano Company indicate a prosperous season for this company, for already the hooking is big, and intending patrons are advised to secure their seats ill advance.

STRAND THEATRE. The popular dramatic actress, Tlicila llara, stars ill the chief film at the Strand Theatre, "The Forbidden Path." She appears as Mary l.ynde, a girl who, brought up carefully 'in Puritanical atmosphere, is commissioned to pose for an artist. She falls ill love with the artist's friend. Sinclair, who shows her much attention. When a babv is born to her. however. Sinclair casts lier off, and she gradually drifts lower Hid lower ill the slums of Vv. ::rk. Some time later she is again commissioned to sit for the artist, and meets Sinclair. The latter supplies her with money, but refuses to niarrv her. as he is engaged to another girl. Mary threatens to revcgl their former relations to Sinclair's intruded bride, and he attempts to kill her. He does not succeed, but bis fiancee is told of the the facts. She breaks off the engagement, and Sinclair consents to marry Mary. There is a startling and dramatic crisis to the story. A strong programme of comedies and topicals is shown in support. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Louise Huff is altogether adorable in the latest World release, "T'other Dear Charmer," ill which she co-stars with John Bowers. This picture is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. The play is a delightful comedy, in which a young man falls in love with Bettina, a French maid, and Betty, a young society miss. He proposes to them Ixith—and then is stupefied to find that Bettina knows everything he lias said to Betty, and Betty knows all about the sweet nothings he has poured into the ears of Bettina. The solution comes when Betty and Bettina prove to be the same girl, and he finds himself in a considerable fix. The play is brimful of laughter from start to finish. "The Lure of the Rush," an Australian film starring Snowy Baker, is also on the bill. SCHOOLS' CONCERT. To-morrow evening, in the Theatre Royal, there w ill he held a concert by the combined primary schools. This concert is in aid of the funds of the School Committees' Association, and the whole of the net proceeds will be spent in the cause of education. At the last concert of a similar nature which was held in Christchurch hundreds were turned away, so it is advisable to book early. Though concerts by individual schools are frequent occurrences, to-morrow night's entertainment will probably be the first in which the best talent of the local primary schools will appear together. As several of Ihe individual performers have already made their mark at various competitions, the concert promises to be one of tlie best juvenile entertainments ever given in Christchurch. The programme will open with an orchestral selection by the East Christchurch School, to be followed by choruses, recitations, vocal solos, dances, character songs, a glee, a physical drill display, and a violin solo. The pupils of the West Christchurch School will perform the Trial Scene from "The Merchant of Venice." The detailed programme of the concert appears in another column. Reserves may be obtained at The Bristol.