THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2030, 17 August 1920, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. Tin- change of programme at the OperaHouse !:\st evening was witnessed l>y a large auilicncc, which had a bright, diversified and entertaining programme presented for its entertainment. The newcomers were headed bv Eileen O'Neill, billed as "the musical doll in toyland." She made her entrance from a huge doll-box, placed adjacent to a Christmas tree, from winch she selected musical instruments, notably a cornet and violin, upon which she played. A very pleasing cornet solo, "Killarney, was included in her repertoire. Ella Airlie contributed songs at the piano, her turn being a very finished and acceptable one. Her opening song was "I'm Off to Caroline,' which she followed up with "When That Clock Says 'Cuckoo,' " and "Co Away, Mr Crocodile," giving a very taking impersonation of a chilli in the latter. Flaneur appeared with two very well-trained canine friends. "Mop and Prince," who opened their turn by walking on to the stage dressed up, even to small clogs on their feet, the "lady" carrying a shopping basket mi her arm. each walking'on its hind logs unlv. They performed a number of further tricks very cleverly and expertly. Hold-overs from the previous week included Knight and Hunting, presenting a very effective vocal scena; (iuest and Newlyn, in a potpourri of song, jest, and eccentric dancing; Ward and Sherman, in another of their sketch specialties, "This and That": and Kitch and Klifiie. the acrobatic comedians. Nora Ihirke appeared in a further instalment of songs, including I d l.ove to Love a Mason" and "How-wow. Pagden and Stanley "gagged" entertainingly and sang a collection of song fragments, put together with much ingenuity. Le Mounter, the celebrated athlete, gave a weight-lifting exhibition as a preliminary to the weight-lifting competition, which opened last night. Four candidates presented themselves for the first heat, the conditions being that the bar-bell, weighing 8(llb, should be lifted from the chest to above the head, the man lifting it the greatest number of times to be the winner. A competitor, F. Clark by name, won the heat, lifting the bar to times, another competitor i.I. Murphyi coming second with ii "lifts" to his credit. The eompeiition will be run in heats/going on all the week. The first and second man in each heat will compete in the final on Friday, when a prize of £:t 3 - will be awarded to the winner. A consolation prize of £2 2 - will be given on Saturday night. Albert Bidgood and his orchestra rounded off the performance nicely with the incidental music, the overture and the entr'acte being played in their usual pleasing and competent manner. LIBERTY THEATRE. The Lvric Coslumc Comedy Company and the film" "The Way of a Woman," starring the favourite film actress. Norma Talmadge, form a double attraction at -the Liberty Theatre this week. The Lyric Company give a vcrv fine entertainment. Miss Jessie Bartlett (mezzo-sopranol, Mr A. H. Ripley (tenorl. Mr A. 11. McF.lwain (baritone and comediani. Mr H. .7. Richards (tenor), Mr J. \\. Rvan (basso), and Miss Betty Edwards (danseusei all contributing most acceptably to the programme. Miss Evelyn Hardy presides at the piano in an accomplished and svmpathetic manner. The star film, "The Way of a Woman," is one of the best tilings in which Miss Talmadge has yet been seen. "The Way of a Woman" is familiar in its stage form, when it was called "Nancy Lee": the play was by the well-known Eugene Walter, ami the photoplay version retains all the elements of dramatic suspense which made the play so popular. Sliss Talmadge's performance adds another -to the long list of superlative screen characterisations which have raised this sterling actress to a position second to none among the leading lights of the silver sheet. The story of "The Way of a Woman" deals with the trials of a young southern girl of an aristocratic but poor Virginia family, who marries a dissolute New Yorker, for the financial advantages she hopes he will bring io her family. It is a fast-moving story of American life to-day, and makes a gripping!}' dramatic tale. "THE END OF THE ROAD." A film of great educative value on one of the most serious social problems of the times will commence at the Liberty Theatre on Saturdav next. It is called "The End of the Road." and stars Richard Bennett. It contains a lesson which should be brought under the notice of every young woman and i very young man—the terrible consequences of immorality. It is told so graphically and .so grippingly that the beholder can never forget. The spread of the teachings of social hygiene is one of the most hopeful remedies against the great social evils which are such a terrific menace to mankind, and the picture should help along the campaign considerably. CRYSTAL PALACE. A novel and unusual film is screened «t the Crystal Palace this week. The star is the bewitching Viola Dana, and the title of the photoplay is "Please Get Married." The picture was adapted for the screen from the stage play by James Cullcn and J,cwis Allen Browne, which was tremendously popular when it was produced in New York by Oliver Morosco. The picture is well produced, and moves with wellcalculated rapidity. It was produced by Screen Classics Inc. as one of their "fewer and better pictures," and was distributed by Metro. The plot, treats in an attractive way with the experiences of a young honeymoon couple whose parents discover after they have left on their trip that that they have been married by a burglar. The old people set out in pursuit and some screamingly funny situations result before the youngsters are satisfied that they are* properly married. A capable cast in support of Viola Dana is headed by Antrim Short. An excellent programme is shown in conjunction with "Please Get Married."' QUEEN'S THEATRE. As Luk Chan, the chief halchetman of the Secret Society of the Bo Sing, in "The Tong Man," now showing at the Queen's Theatre, Sessue Hayakawa lias the most unusual and thrilling role of his career. The production is a screen adaptation of Clyde Westover's book, "The Dragon's Daughter." There is nothing "soft" about this role for Hayakawa. -'The Tong Man" is a desperate, ruthless hatchetman who does not hesitate to brain an enemy or a faithless member of the Tong. He gets them with the hatchet, the knife, the pistol, jiu jitsu. and he fights with equally deadly effect on the roof, in cellar, on fire escapes, or in the gambling den. The play simply teems with excitement. Hayakawa himself says: "'The Tong Man' is the most thrilling and mysterious picture I have ever done." The film, "Romance and Arabella," a •.purkling comedy in which Constance Talmadge takes the star part, is also on the programme, besides a number of other jiood supports. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Billie Burke, the fascinating Paramount Ftar, appears at Everybody's Theatre this week in her most recent and delightful offering. "Sadie Love,'! based upon the celebrated play by Avery Hopwood. James L. Crane, who supported Miss Burke in •'The Misleading Widow," is leading man, and others in the cast are Helen Montrose, Hedda Hopper, Jed Prouty, and Shaw Lovctt. The second- attraction is the Para-mount-Artcraft's latest picture, "23} Hours' Leave," introducing two new picture artists —Douglas McLean and Doris May. They collaborate in a delightful and originallyexpressed play, based on a novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart. An entirely new musical programme accompanies the screening. Seats may be reserved at The Bristol or by 'phoning 4925. '

GRAND THEATRE. "The Blindness of Divorce," an absorbing William Fox special, is being shown at the Grand Theatre this week. To a certain extent, the picture is based on a sensational divorce case, and is full of thrilling action and dramatic scenes. There is a big court scene in the play, which is interpreted by a remarkably line cast of players, headed by Rhea Mitchell, Charles Clary, Bertha Mann, Bertram Grassby, Willard Louis, and M. Bobbins. It is a most powerful and thrilling picture, in which Interest is sustained from the moment of Jhe opening until the last scene fades Trom the screen. Excellent supporting films arc shown, and appropriate music accompanies the screening. STRAND THEATRE. George Walsh heads an attractive programme at the Strand Theatre this week in the film "The Beast." "The Beast" is a good story of .cowboy life in Arizona, and provides plenty of excitement as well us humour. "The Merry-go-round" is the title of the other good film, starring Peggy Ilylaud. It is a sparkling story of circus life. SYDENHAM PICTURES. "The Man From Kangaroo" is the popular film at present showing at the Sydenham Picture Theatre. It is an Australian story of back-block life featuring Snowy Baker. Another good picture is "The Lion and the Mouse," starring Aliee Joyce. "THE GEISHA." The first opera to be presented by the Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society will be staged at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, August 28. The opera chosen is that well-established favourite, "The Geisha." When first produced in England, "The Geisha" was voted an immediate sue- \ cess, and succeeding generations of theatregoers have from time to time endorsed this ; opinion. In the original production Marie Tempest played the lead, and a great number of stage favourites have appeared in the chief role. The music of "The Geisha" is above the average of musical comedy. "Star of My Soul," "The AmoiSos Goldfish," "The Interfering Parrot," and the host of other good songs the score offers, will be rendered by a particularly well-chosen cast. The comedian of the company is Mr G. E. Lyttelton, who was one of the mainstays of the original Divisional Pierrots with the N.Z.E.F. The season will extend over seven nights.