ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13351, 4 December 1906, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE MAN FROM MEXICO."

The popularity which comedy has .'gained: with Auckland, playgoers ' wsw % amply "i do- '■• monstrafed sby the large and ! enthusiastic; audience that gathered at - Hi* Majesty's Theatre last evening on the occasion of the: production by the Wilknighby and"f. Ward London Comedy Company of the faroic*i comedy entitled "The Map -From Mexico/" 11. A. Du Soucbet ha* made no error in. this composition in putting together comedy in one of its brightest, and most attractive forms, and the company last night gave »n interpretation which was of a distinctly creditable character. From the opening to the close the piece provides a continuous run of • humorous ami ridiculously awkward situa- ■ tions for the several characters involved, and in addition if bristles with such crisp and carefully selected jokes that the audience is perforce kept in a perpetual state, of merriment, (letting; into difficulties in the rat place with the police authorities of No.". York through .injudicious midnight revelry,; Benjamin Fiizhugh experiences a series of misfortunes from which Roderick Majors (» friend) good-naturedly endeavours to extricate '-"him, with rather • disastrous consequences, Fitihugh is sentenced to durance vile for a term of thirty days, and in-order to conceal the actual position from Clementina Frtzhugh (who happened to be at a resort where she had no business to be,. and was arrested in a, raid on the premises by . the police tit the same time as her husband) as well as to invoke the aid of Edward Farrar, nephew of the presiding judge, to use his influence in securing a reversal of the sentence, Majors hatches what, in his egotism, ho considers to be a cleverly-devised plan of campaign. The result is not what ho fondly hoped would he the <iase. On the pretence of going on a trip to Mexico F»Ufaugh leaves his modem residence : for the Blackwoll .Island Gaol (where holts incarcerated), and other complications. ensue which culminate in completely bowling out. the plotters, but fortunately good order and happy relations, which had been temporarily disturbed, are restored in the orthodox fashion of fictional works. ■ ■

It t remains to, be mentioned that the acting individually and collectively was of.- * : '-;j high order. Mr. Hugh Ward, who had the heaviest role to sustain as Benjamin Fitshujrh, acquitted himself with credit, showing ,i versatility and cleverness in impersonating Vi; the character allotted to him. His» dancing .-.'.;;* ami singing were not without merit. As - Roderick Majors Mr. Geo. Wiltoughby wa» ; | in his element, and succeeded in making the W& most of his part. The "star" of the company. Miss Grace Palotta, received),,; the jjjt hearty plaudits of the audience for ,1 her at»" ;• § tractive performance, and the Spanish dance m which she. executed with the assistance of' 3 Mr. Ward was a special feature. '">■• Amongst "• * the lesser characters were: Timothy ... Cook (a Now York detective), Mr. , Reginald.-,'; Wykeham; Von Bulow Bismark Schmidt, X : ; Mr.-* .J. W. Hart-man ; Edward Farrar (attor- / ■;■ ney), Mr. Arthur: Cornell; Richard Dannton ' (architect), Mr. (*. Warhurtott Gamble; '.';. Sallio Graice (sister of Clementina -" Fits- ■-;; hugh), Miss Olive Wilton; Nettie Majors,■'..'■'■■v Miss Gilliam ttcaifo; Miranda (a ; maid). : ' Miss Edith Warren.' The scenery was well ■■' 1 appointed, and the mechanical effects picturesque, while excellent incidental music was provided by a full orchestra, i Messrs. .-.'•: Willoughby and Ward have issued invitations ', for an -"At Home" to meet. Miss Grace '■- ; : Balotta upon her first visit to this city, to , : s take place this afternoon at the Star Hotci-i; v

opera HOUSE'. ' The new programme presented by Fuller's Vaudeville Company is evidently ..; to v the | taste of the large audience that assembled 1 last, night. Phyllis Fay did a clever tambourine dance, and was loudly encored. Mr. I Lea Warton and Mr. Sara. Wilson created great laughter by their comical tonga and gags'. Miss Amy Blaekie sang "'Don't Cry, Little Girl," and " Autumn Loaves," -with feeling. The Carnios were well received \ for their extraordinary juggling. Miss Lucy.; Lavinia's dainty songs were well sung. Tom Hedley, Arthur Crodge, Frank King, and Pearl Lovell also appeared. The perform-. ance concluded , with a crockery'-breaking sketch by Harvey and Morris. 'I.

Mr. Geo. D. Porfciis, representing Mcana. J. and N. Tait, the directors ■of tbo Australasian tour of the'. Besses 'o* th' Barn, arrived from' Melbourne yesterday, to meet Mr. J. Henry lies, the land's manager, who. arrives hero today from 'Frisco.