THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2026, 12 August 1920, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

"MOTHER HUBBARD." There were large houses at both the matinee and evening performances of Messrs J. and N. Tait's pantomime, "Mother Hubbard," at the Theatre Royal yesterday. Although it follows hard on the heels of another show of the same kind, "Mother Hubbard" has proved a great success with Christchurch audiences. Messrs Barry Lupino and .lack Cannot, as Mother Hubbard and her husband, carry off the honours in the fun department, and some of their rough-and-tumble scenes, especially the burlesque baitle on the pirate ship, are really good low comedy. Mr William A. Hassan, the popular animal impersonator, is expressive beyond words as the Hubbard family's house-dog, and causes a great deal of laughter. Misses Dorothy Leigh and' Daisy Yates are quite satisfactory as the Principal Boy and Principal Girl, and the dancing of Miss Elsie Partes and Mr Kelso Henderson is even rather above the requirements of pantomime. "Mother Hubbard" concludes its season here on Saturday, when there will be a matinee. I OPERA HOUSE. An excellent holiday programme prevails at the Opera House this week. I.e Mounter, the French athlete, is seen in a number (if classical poses,' and also gives a demonstration of the Japanese art of jiu jitsu. Kiteh and Kliftie give a clever exhibition of comedy tumbling, and Guest and Newiyn nresent a bright and amusing sketch which they call. "Apropos of Nothing." Knight and Bunting give a refined turn of vocal numbers, and Nora Burke excels in musichall hits. Billy Elliott, the American blackface comedian, continues, to go big with the audience. Ward and Sherman present another hilarious burlesque, "The Battle of Pickle Hill." and Pagdeu and Stanley put on an entertaining sketch. Curly Sherwood sings popular songs, and Balto gives s sensational novelty equilibrist turn. LIBERTY THEATRE. The famous film, "Quinney's," continues to be popular at the Liberty Theatre. Greater praise would be hard to imagine than the remarks of the critic of the "Daily Telegraph" of the film performance of "Quinney's" in London, with England's foremost screen actor, Henry Ainley, in the role he so successfully created on the stage. The reviewer says: "One is carried on In such an impetuous whirl of laughter, touched with pathos, that one feels, with the closing of the story, the passing of a friend one has learned to love." That is not too fulsome praise for the wonderful characterisation by Henry Ainley of the role of old Joe Quinney, which shows a more than remarkable understanding of human nature, and is a superb performance in every way. Taken all through, the production is a remarkable achievement, which reflects the highest credit on the producers. A big attraction on next 'week's programme will be the appearance of the Lyric Musical Comedy Co.. a company of talented entertainers. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A good holiday programme is presented at Everybody's Theatre, where two star films are screened at each session. A fine picture is "The Valley of the Giants." which is redolent of the healthy, vigorous life of the backwoods of California. The scenery and the photography of the picture are excellent. The story was written by Peter B. Kyne, whose b/ioks have become famous throughout the British-speaking dominions. The other is a dramatically intense story, "L'Apachc," starring Dorothy Dnlton. The picture shows in a realistic manner the two extremes of Parisian life, the underworld and high society. GRAND THEATRE. Laughs in plenty are provided at the Grand Theatre by "The Four Fiusher," which features the popular American actor. Hale Hamilton, a Metro comedy-drama of the first water. The story was specially •written for Hale, and provides him with excellent opportunities for indulging in that breezy humour for which he is famous. Another good feature is the picturisation of one of the noted stories by Justus Miles Forman. "Buchanan's Wife." It is a sensational story of a woman's struggle for happiness, and features Virginia Pearson. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A good story of life in a Quaker settlement is "A Soul Without Windows." It fells of a child found by the roadside with her dying mother, by the kindly but severe Quakers. Bettv Compson stars in the other feature, "The Devil's Trail." STRAND THEATRE. Gladys Brockwrll appears at the Strand Theatre this week in the colourful Western drama. "Chasing Rainbows." There are a number of excellent supporting films, ineluding a most diverting comedy, "Love is Love." CRYSTAL PALACE. "The Street of Seven Stars" is the big fiUn at the Crystal Palace this week, with Doris Kenyon in the leading role. A delightful comedy. "Some Snoozer," and other supporting films also figure "on the bill.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. Tlir current programme nt the Sydenham Pictures includes a l)is six-reel comedy, "All tlie World to Nothing." featuring William Russell, also "Married by Proxy, "Purple Domino," "Three Happy Days," and a "Graphic." GRAND NATIONAL CARNIVAL. Another large audience assembled at the Kins Edward Barracks last evening, when another change of programme was submitted in connection with the Grand National Carnival. The new numbers proved wholly delightful, ami included a beautiful ballet, "Carnival," danced by eight-vivacious young ladies in the traditional ballet dress; a solo, "Vanity," was cleverly performed by Miss EI ma Elder; and a very pretty spectacular number, "Spring Blossoms," by the intermediate girls. Miss Elsie Lock and Mr Jack Wright were associated in a charming "Summer Idyll." and the junior children did excellent work in "Mister W'attcau" and other numbers. The programme was produced under the direction of Mr W. S. Wauchop. Last night's progress report of the Prime and Princess Competition showed the Picture combination (Master Ernie Dickson and Miss Peggy Smith) in the lead; next in order were the Hibernians (Master Dennis Bunz and Miss Colleen Coffey), Diggers (Master Kelvin Hamlet and Miss Ailsa McCoomhe), and Sports (Master Reg. Jones and Miss Daphne Holmes). Mr I). Mangin has given a whip to the rider of the winner nf the Grand National Hurdle Race, and the trophy will be presented this evening. WAR MEMORIAL CONCERT. With the object of assisting the War Memorial fund, a concert will be given by the Commercial Travellers' Concert Party at the Choral Hall on Saturday evening, August 21, the box plan for which opens on Saturday next at Milner and Thompson's.