ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2118, 18 February 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“THE BLUE MOON.” Thu name of ,Alr J. C. Wilianiyoii bus become so distinctly synonymous wall high-class theatrical fare, that Gisborne folk uro always .prepared to oxtond a liberal patronage to any “allow” boa-liny the hull mark of tho great entrepreneur. For the opening of a short season by a mil hi nation described as the “new musical comedy company,” His Majesty's Tiioa'Cro was -oaekod in every part; in liict the crush was so great as to make ma tiers i-omeu hat unpleasant on such a hot night. The initial piece was “The illue Moon,” a charming little musical p.iliy in two acts, that has achieved a large measure of success in Engl and and Auustralia. Its popularity can he well understood for there is ample scope, not only for the introduction of a rich supply of good songs and clever dances, but also for the acting which is frequently omitted from many of the so-called musical comedies that wo see nowadays. “The Blue AI0011” has an Oriental setting, and in its staging provides some of the prettiest scenes that have been depicted in the local theatre. Several of the tableaux shown were gorgeous in effect, and elicited hearty applause. The company was -well qualified to successfuly interpret the .play in all its phases, and the result was a production tha-t was full of life and vigor from start to finish, and which gave the utmost satisfaction to the uudioneo. The chorus is particularly strong, and the male voices especially were of line quality. A notable feature of the organisation is that it is exceptionally well balanced, in welcome contrast to many, in which one glittering “star” comprises the ontiro visible constellation, the others not counting. The name part “Blue Moon,” was taken by the popular Now Zealand vocalist, Afiss Amy Alurpliy, who completely charmed the audience by her finished vocalisation. The Dunedin lady has also made excellent progress in acting, since taking to tho stage, and was conspicuously free from anything approaching amateurishness, whilst her stage appearance was particularly good. Miss Daisy AVallaco scored a -great hit with a clever all-round -performance as vocalist, dancer, and actress. It is not often that an actress ventures into the fields of broad comedy as depicted in modern musical comedies, but Aliss AVallace has done so, and with complete success. Her methods are quite unique -and delightfully unconventional. -She sang a number of comic songs admirably, whilst her dancing was one of the features of tho performance. Air. Victor Gourlet, the well-known comedian, naturally made tho most of his part of Moolrav, and kept his hearers in roars of laughter at his comicalities. Mr. Frank Stirling as Private Charles Taylor gave -an exceedingly clever representation, and Air. Myles Clif-ton *is Major Vivian Cal about was thoroughly realistic. Air. Reginald Kenneth as Captain Jack Orrnsby contributed excellent as also did Messrs. Nable, jßolaud Hogue, and A. Alarks. Tho remainder of -the cast- was capably taken -by Aliss Jessica Deane as Oma, Miss Ada Page as Miss Sparrow, Miss Divide. Alurpliy -as Aliss Lovehvll, Miss Alma Barber as Evelyn onimby, and Air. Pat Bathurst as Prince Badabur.

LADY MADCAP” TO-NIGHT

To-night the company will stage “Lady Aladcap,” which was one ot tho most recent successes on tne London lyric stage. The name part is that of a regular tomboy of a girl who plagues tho life out ot ner father, a belted earl, whoso prejudices against her began at- her birth, when she most inconsiderately turned out a girl .instead of the boy he had hoped for. However, she does her best to minimise his disappointment by being constantly “up to tricks’ that would not disgrace the young of the human male species. These tricks culminate as the curtain goes up with an invitation to a whole Yeomanry regiment to take tea on her father’s lawn, and an advertisement in the “Alorning Post” for a wealthy husband for her madcap self. Tho tw r o escapades bring about a most amusing set of circumstances, in which tho exploits of “Private Smith,” otherwise Oroya Brown, a young millionaire, plays an important part. Aliss Daisie AVallaco should give a charming rendering of Lady Betty. Aliss Alma Barber, Aliss Celia Oliiloni, Aliss Dulcie Alurpliy, Reginald Kenneth, Afictor uouriet, B AVatson, Clias. Chinnier, Harry Sweeney, and Arthur Lissant, and other principals who have already made a name for themselves, are congenially placed. To-morrow evening the farewell performance of the company will be “The Girl from Kays.”