ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 19 February 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"LADY MADCAP.” ilt last night’s ponormanco there were many who considered that Air Williamson's Musical Coined,v Company (kid not open its season wMi its best piece. "Lady Madcap” is a charming little comedy with van English setting that appeals quite us strongly as tho Oriental effects in 'tho “Blue Moon.”- As on tho lirst night the theatre was crammed in every part, and tho atmosphere being several degrees cooler made mutters much more pleasant lor Ulie ainusementsoolcors. The curtain rose on a rustic English scene that -was exceedingly picturesque, and a merry chorus, in which tho 'full strength of tho company was -hoard, -at once put the audience on good terms with the performers. As on tho lirst night the play offered excellent opportunities for the even qualities of the combination to ho shown, and no particular part was permitted to monopolise -the stage for any length of time. Chief attention was directed on Lady Madcap, the daughter of a London aristocrat, who shocks her father by her harum sc-arum pranks find her entire disregard for convonit-ionalities. This role was taken by 'Miss Daisy Wallace, who more than justilled the high opinions formed of her capabilities after seeing her in the “Blue Moon.” She entered most thoroughly into the spirit of l-ho part and gave a really clever representation. Her dancing was again a Tea lure of 'the performance. She was ably seconded by Alins Alma Barber, who, as her maid, Gwenny Holden, proved herself a thoroughly capable actress, displaying ample resource -and vivacity. Miss -Barber contributed several vocal solos that were heartily -apnreeiated and with M iss Wallace provided ono of the "hits” of the evening wun a duet “The Two Little Graces.” -xiss Dulcie Murphy had a smaller part as Susan, and made the most of it. Mr Arthur Lissant created an admirable impression in depicting the .marquis of FiMiulingham, -the diguiiied and short-tempered old aristocrat, ano has to x’ut ui) with the eccentricities of the boisterous Lady Madcap. Another good performance on conventional lines was that of Mr Howard Hall, as "a footman. Tho humorous element Was supplied by Messrs Myles Glil't-on and Victor Gouriot. The former achieved quite a triumph in ail exceptionally line characterisation of a London “swell,” Oroya Brown, who was forced by stress of circumsin cos to adopt various disguises that .placed his urictocratic mannerisms in a ludicrous light. His work was clover throughout, and ho kept the audience in a simmer of merriment. A particularly neat item was -tliut in which he held the stage for a full ten minutes listening to a nonsensical disquisition ou -a inuifth of keys. On different lines Mr. Gouriet was equally successful, and his hearers never tired of his quaint drolleries. The p-iir gave a couple of dual items, one concerning the ways of theatrical patrons, and the other the idiosyncracies of motor oars, that made the building resound wit'll shrieks of laughter. Another choice item was a comic song, “Nobody Knows,” in which Mr., Gouriet fairly excelled himself. Air. Harrington Sweeney as the Comte do St. Hubert scarcely ,made the most of his part, but gave on the whole a satisfactory performance. As Airs. Layton, Aliss Celia .Ghiloni li-ad little to do but to look pretty, -and in this she succeeded admirably, assisted largely by reason of some magnificent gowns that abtriic-t----ed a considerable amount of attention. As on the first night-, tho play .was snlendidlv mounted, and the staging vuis perfect. The work of the orchestra and the well-balanced choruses all assisted to a 'thoroughly successful entertainment. To-night the season will close, with another change of programme, “The .Girl -from Kays,” one of 'the most successful comedies Flint has been introduced to the London stage lor some years. Its popularity has been repeated in Australia, -and also in such -11 arts of the Dominion -as, have been so far visited. To suit the con.vcnionce of country -patrons, I‘iie manager, Mr. llichard Stewart, has arranged for a special train to leave town after the performance. It will call at all the stations on the way to Te Kamka. The special is timed to leave Gisborne station at 10.15 p.m. -