AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11528, 10 March 1903, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "A Circus Girl, - ' which was introduced last night to Christchurch playgoiis by Mr J. C. William, en, is full of bright, sparkling music, and tils, has the merit of pcMst-i-sing an amusing plot. A little compression would be an iinproveiiveiit, as at present the piece is rait her long, but the interest of the audience is sustained to the end. Unlike many so-called comic op. ran —or musical comedies, as it is now the fashion to term them —"A Circus (Mil" ha« quite a wealth of music in it- Ir is true that some of them are of the usual character, being more catchy than ertistic, but | several of tho numbers are excellent. The I jlit'-a also affords good opportunities to all tire principals to display !_.*.-ir Uileut:-. well, and last nitrht it achieved a distinct success. Miss Elsie i_v«»."e as Favorita, the circus girl, appeared to even greater advantage than in her previous parts. Jn it-, r song, "Round the Ring," she evoked much cuithusii—m amongst an audience' which, up to that time, Imd been somewhat ciiiliy and cold. In her dtirt with Mr Graham. too, Miss Mooro was very good, iuid she sang "The Queen of tho Circus" excellently. Miss Rose Musgrove evinced much versatility in the character of Lucille* Tliero iire some pretty songs allotted to the part, and these were eha.rmi-gly sung by Miss Masgrove, win* also gave an excellent representation of the wire-walking lady. Of course, in flics j modem days, no "musical comedy would be properly equipped without a coon song, -and one of these, with an exceedingly .nx-tty melody, was daintily sung by Miss Mtvsgrovc,. Hrr dancing was also artistic. in the last scene of the piece Miss Musgitrve did a vary ck-v.r doll duet with Mr Graham. It wa.s lifelike and quaint in its conceit, and Mis:; Musgrove both looked and auUd the doll to perfection. In another duet with MiGraham Miss Musgrovo introduced a clever I skit on the nuisance of theatie hat.-:, and she was heartily cheered by the audi.-nee. ■ Miss Lilian Digges was very good as Dora, the romantic young lady who fall.--jin love with the (.'arinon King. She sang a coon song ef:"-actively, dancing with jnuch | grace. In nn introduced song. "A LittlePiece of String," Miss Digges achieved a success. Miss Aggie Kelton, as Mad.raie Drivelli. had one cf -thuse parts- which Hie plays so well, and she made. a. dec-id; d kit in her song. ''That's Not- the Way to 'J'jvni' a Lady," which was redemanded. Mi..s Blanche Wallace was appropriately tli_/i.ified as Lady Diana—a. iadv who hn:> s:> much trouble with her husband in Par::. Tlie part of Biggs, the AVa,:.',-.-r. afford;.! MrFred Graham an opportunity of which ho took ftill advantage, to display bis- ch-yer acting tuid dancing. H■•• was < >'pecd'd.y good in the two ciuts with Miss --..disgrove—the out- in which the various av,.cation, which tlie pair thought might, l.c , ugaged in by them when mariied. were described in dumb show, and in tht Doll Duet. Mr Graham in the inl.;r evoked roars of laughtri- by hi. cdvti- peiforrsiance. Hi- wrestling .scene with Toothiek was also exceedins.lv funiiy. Mr Bantock had a part, that of a frisky old gentleman endeavouring t<> have a. good lino- in Paris. in which he was excellent. His sudden exit from the cannon in the arena was funny in ilia extreme. Mr Arthur Crane, as Dick Capel. sang a love swig well, and he was also good in the other musical numbers. iMr Junius Huglit.s has a line voice, which was heard to advantage in tho solo. "The Master of the Ring."' Mr Arthur Lissa—fc made up and acted well as M. Drivelli. and Mr Mozar played the character of Reggie Go-wer with a good deal of effect. All the other characters were well filled. Tlie Pierrot ballet was danced prettily by the ballerinas. Mis* Cobb being capital in her solo. The choruses wer. all given with good effect. especially "A Rainy Day," reminiscent of tbe "Umbrella Chorus" in "Chilperic," arxl "Wine. Women and Waltz." Th-.- »*le\.e wa_ splendidly put. on, the two frets of the boulevards and the artists' hall being .specially fine. "A Circus Girl" will be repeated to-night.