AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12406, 26 August 1918, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THE BINC BOYS. The brothers Bing, from the moment they made thoir debut on tlio ringc at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, had a. triumphal tour through a series of experiences of high life, in London that gave every opportunity for much clever comedy, accompanied hy gorgeous dressing and some ambitions ballets. “The Bing Boys” is essentially musical, but the producers hav 0 not put all their eggs in one, basket, and' have rather set out to produce a. musical comedy pantomimicnlly staged, with strong choruses and ballets. The pleasantest scene_ one remembers is probably Alias Minnie Love’s number, Every In tile While,” in which, seated at her dressing-table, she is flooded with-a soft light that heightens the effect of a very rechoreho frock. Musically Miss Love is delightful, and sho has such A charming stage presence that her frequent appearances are always welcome. _ Sho shares the evenings honours with Jack Cannot and Lesho Holland, who. as Lucifer (Lucy) and Oliver Bing, pursue a very zigzag course along the Bread Bead. Ihero are numerous musical numbers that will always stick in the memory, notably If You were, the. Only Girl"' and Goocl-byc-cc.” These arc rapidly alternated with smart, drossv scenes and well-dressed choruses. The’ idea of putting the play on as m succession of panels is simply another way of saying that there are numerous scenes throughout the play. Some of these are very charming, while at other times the curtain is dropped simply Co C i U ci° lro lJ, l , V * GW the industrious scene shit ter. there was a very funny touch on Saturday night when the hammers in the rear hecapie almost loud enough to drown tho conversation, and Jack Cannot apologised to the audience, 'remarking tiiab they were merely rehearsing the chariot race for the next production, r i? n i? Ur : Flame Girl in “ Firelight fancies was an unusual production that was sprung unexpectedly on tho audience, and the lowering of three .Young ladies in swings f from the flies was another smart piece of work, all! 1 as pretty as the.swing song, a lutlo. later. Iho crinoline chorus was positively gay, while other good chonusos accompanied the “M illy tho ii n Ul f r i number, and Jack Cannot’s Good-bye ’ song, m which the chonis did some wagging in khaki costume, Tlie Chinese Lacquer scone was also a very gorgeous linalo. Special mention must he made of Clyde Cook’s eccentric dancing, in which ho excelled all previous performances, while Leslie Holland put on. a clover impersonation turn, in which he portrayed sundry celebrities that everybody knew but nobody had over seen before, notably Hr Morse, of Boot Bill fame, Air Eno. Mrs Eno, and som© lesser lights. In picking out special work the little burlesque of tho niodiieval drama was distinctly clever. One was bound to admit that tho whole play improved ns it progressed, and big houses for the remaining eight nights should be assured. Box plans arc at Aliessrs Alilner and Thompson’s, and day sales at the Toy Cave confectionery. THE GRAND RE-OPENING. This evening the Grand Theatre will reopen at 7.45* doors open at 7.15. This is an event of great interest to the pic-ture-loving public, aud it may he taken for granted that there will be a full house. Tho opening programme is a particularly strong one, comprising films hy the four greatest screen artists of to-day. The big feature will bo the first appearance in the. Dominion of the famous Alla Nazim ova, tho talented Russian actress, who is now acknowledged to bo one of the greatest in the world at the present moment, Sho makes her initial bow in the Aletro special super-feature, “Revelation,” and her acting is stated' t0.,b0 indeed, a “revelation,” The drama has been adapted from the well-known . book “ The. Rosebush of a Thousand Years,” and is said to he a worthy vehicle for thq genius of tho great Nazimova. Those t.wo favourites, known as tho “sovereigns of the screen,” Francis X. Bushman and Aliss Beverly Bayne, will make their reappearance in tlie sensational super-serial “Tlie Great Secret,” which is stated to bo the most thrilling of the many serials so far)shown at tho Grand. Another popular item will be Charles Chaplin in “ The Count.” arid no doubt followers : of football will welcome the screening of scenes from the Christ’s College and High School annual football match, which was specially taken by the Grand camera-man for the occasion. A special feature will be the orchestral selections by the largo Grand orchestra of seven of Christchurch’s most prominent musicians, under the baton of Air A. L. Sutton, and Mr W. Trewern, the popular vocalist, will sing “On with the Alotley ” (Pagliacci) and “Lorraine” (Sanderson). As the hooking is very heavy, patrons arc advised to book at Tho Bristol early to-day. CRYSTAL PALACE. The famous prison problem play. “The Honour System,” will bo screened at Crystal Palace for the first time to-day. This film was produced by William Fox with the object of showing the need for humane treatment of those who have gone wrong, and the benefits that, prisoners should receive on proving their desire to reform. William Fox has handled this great subject in a masterly manner and has brought out the salient points in a most clear and convincing manner. la tho United Stales the screening of tin's picture caused a. tremendous' sensation, and it is certain that by this film William Fox has done, more towards prison reform than any other living man. Further, tho picture has received the approval of many prison authorities throughout America. The story deals with tho terrible experiences of an innocent man, who is sentenced to imprisonment for life and is sent to a, gaol, where, the treatment is harsh and almost inhuman. Tlie young man manages to bring tho condition of prison life before the Governor of the State, who,_ after an investigation, moves for the introduction of “ the honour system.” The introduction of this system is bitterly attacked hy certain opponents, but at last it is given a trial and the young man, by his straight aud honourable 'conduct, manages "to aid the movement. Finally this prisoner gives his life that the honour system mar be saved, but how this comes about must ho seen to he appreciated. The cast, which includes Aliriam Cooper. Milton Sills and Georg© Walsh, is particularly strong, and the settings are produced on the usual lavish scale, for which the William Fox studio is there will also be screened a Alutt and .Toll' cartoon film, and the usual topical gazette. At the evening session de luxe, scats for which may ho hooked at The Bristol, tho Crystal Palace. Orchestra # will play n suitable selrclion of music. SYDENHAM PICTURES. At the Sydenham Picture Theatre to-night ( the comedy drama, “ Nearly Afarried,” featuring Aladge Kennedy, will he_ screened. This is a most entertaining film, which has a special interest for the ladies. There, is a good supporting series, the whole making an excellent programme.