ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13170, 7 May 1906, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE SHERIDAN SEASON.

A highly successful season was concluded by the Sheridan Company at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, and the double bill met with an excellent reception. In " The Amorous Mrs. Murphy," Mr. Sheridan displayed his well-known versatility in the character of Johanna Murphy. He kept the audience in almost endless laughter. Miss Heba Barlow ably seconded Mr. Sheridan's effort. The several songs were well received. In " Naughty Nancy.'' Mr. Sheridan impersonated first Josial) Sliggs, a company promoter, and then Matilda Jones, a. woman's rights party, and he played the latter character to perfection. Miss Barlow showed her ability as Naughty Nancy. The company ably supported the principals. OPERA HOUSE. The popularity of Fuller's Minstrel and "Vaudeville Company, which has been appearing at the Opera House for some considerable time, is by no means on the wane, but is increasing. This was strikingly demonstrated on Saturday evening, when a change of programme was presented. There was a larger attendance than usual. The programme presented was quite in keeping with the high standard which has always been maintained by the companies under the Fuller regime at. the Opera House. A number of artists appeared for the first time and presented items which were not only of an interesting and attractive nature, hut were also of a novel character, and added variety to the entertainment. Among the artists referred to were the Scott Bros., who appeared in an acrobatic, song and dance, and at, once created a favourable impression. They proved themselves to be distinctly clever comedians and also excellent dancers. Master Claude Over, an Auckland boy of about 1* years of age, also appeared for the first time, and rendered several selections on the lignomaphono and duleiphone, for which he was warmly applauded. The appreciation bestowed was well merited, young Over manipulating the instruments in an excellent manner. Another artist who made his debut to an Auckland audience was Mr. Will Rollow, an exceedingly clever comedian, whose humorous character sketches created a good deal of amusement. He at once became a popular favourite, and was recalled several times. The Colliers (2), serios and dancers, who made their first appearance on Friday evening, appeared for the second time, and more than maintained the favourable impression which they at first Created. Misses Kate Maher and Mabel Lynne and Messrs. Ward Lear, B. Walker, .T. Hughes, and F. King, all of whom are old favourites with Opera. House patrons, also appeared and were well received. The same programme will be repeated this evening. Several new artists are promised at the end of the week.

A ■CELEBRATED ENTERTAINER. At His Majesty's Theatre to-night Mr. R. G. Knowles will make his initial bow to an Auckland audience under Mi. J. C. Williamson's management. Mr. Knowles is on a tour of the world, with an original monologue entertainment, which is the result of many years of travel and careful preparation, and to. those who would journey to the land of fun, piloted by a humorous guide, an excellent opportunity presents itself. Mr. Knowles' entertainment is best described by himself as " between the music hall and the lecture platform, and bridging the chasm between the two." "-Songs and Stories of the Stage" is said to be a most amusing performance. He will be assisted by Mrs. R. G. Knowles, a celebrated banjoist, and a great portion of his travelling experiences will be biographically illustrated by a special bioscopist who is with the company. The box plan is on view at. Messrs. Wildman and Arey's for the entire season of six nights; day sales are procurable at the' Toreador and Theatre Cafe. There will be an entire change of programme on Thursday night.

COMIC OPERA COMPANY. Mr. Williamson's Comic Opera Company, which visited New Zealand just 12 months ago, will make its reappearance before an Auckland audience, next Monday in Gilbert and Sullivan's popular opera, " The Gondoliers." The management has fixed the programme for the season (which extends over 18 nights) to give the whole repertoire of eight operas. "The Gondoliers" will be played for four nights, and will be followed on Friday, the 18th, by the same composers' amusing work, " Utopia, Limited." The company has been strengthened since its previous visit by the inclusion of Miss Olive Godwin and Mr. Arthur Crane, who i have become great favourites throughout Australasia, while such artists as Miss Dolly Castles, Miss Celia Ghiloni, Miss Aggie Thorn, Miss Vinia de Loitte, Mr. Charles Kenningham, Mr. Walter Whyte, Mr. Frank Wilson, Mr. Ernest Fitts, Mr. H. Wallace, and Mr. Howard Vernon are still with the company. The much-talked-of " Radium Ballet" will be presented here by the company. This attraction is-said to be a most brilliant one. Box plans for the first two productions (eight nights) will be opened at Wildman and Arey's on Thursday next.