ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5803, 22 January 1906, Page 5

ENTERTAIN MENTS.

OP Kit A HOUSESTEPHENSON’S MFSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. Mr George Stephenson's English Musical Comedy Company commenced what gives lair promise ot being a most successful season at tho op.".a House on Saturday evening. They sob-cud for their opening hill u piece which may bo spoken of is one ot irresi-tibie attractions, although it is mneh mure difficult to describe wherein the attractions really consist. ‘‘Hill Adams" is a plotless musical latest, ii there is any coherent scheme in the action of the piece, tho authors h.ve been at no end of pains to conceal their intentions in this direction; yet the whole thing is so outrageously tunny, and the fooling of which the action of the 1 play entirely consists is so clever, so blight and piquant that no one, tic matter hew seriously he may take, himself, can refrain from simmering over with suppressed amusement throughout the piece, and occasionally, when a bit of more than ordinarily ludicrous ••business” is presented, bursting into hearty laughter. There is no; a dull moment from the rise to the fall < ! the curtain. In late years it has olten been remarked that the trend of (he work of modern musicians, even when they have set melodies to the most idle ami ext r.rvagan! !y fmvlous words, is in a distinctly upward directien. "Bill Adams” is a caso very much in point. As wo have said, the whole thing is supremely ridiculous; neverthelrvts, the composer of the nin.de, Air Stephen Phdpct. has found numerous metrical lima in an alleged xibivt to which have inspired him with brilliant melodic ideas, which in every instance have been carried out to their most effective possible conclusions' with a skill ami luunician-liUe ability which mark him as n composer of merits Jar beyond those of the ordinary vaudevillesong writer. His choruses in several ern-os are really fine, while in scoring for the hand ho is refined and jjracoful. Air Stephenson has been eminently t-iicceaditl in .surrounding himself with a company of artists who art' in every way capable of doing justice alike to the music and tho comedy of the piece. "Ddl Adams,” unlike so litany extravag.inxas, is not u "one man” play. On tho contrary, it affords ample scope for tlie exhibition of the humorous powers of every otto in tho cast, and with such a company of comedians, ringere, and dancers, it may bo taken for granted that no points are missed and no opportunity for effective work neglected. Mr Edward Latin, as “Bill Adams," tho ’ero of Waterloo, was irresistible. His acting \js always humorous to the last degree, hut in this part he seems to identify himself with nil tho binarre impossibilities of tho various situations in which ito is mainly the central figure, with unusual spontaneity. Uis songs, and they are numerous, went splendidly, siid’htid to be repeated on almost every occasion, lie appears in quite a number of disguinos, each so distinct from tho previous one. that it is difficult to follow him in his ehamehonliko transformations, and changes ol garb and mako-up. Air Charles Me-Naught-on. who is undoubtedly one ol tlie cleverest eccentric dancers who have visited Xow Zealand, playing at. Major Brussel Sprouts, wbh intonsely amusing, ami with Messrs Charles Albert, Arthur Lissant, and tho Bovas Brothers, did much towards tho general nueceea of tlie piece. Air Harold Beeves, late of tho Moody-Mannem Opera Company, proved that he is the possessor of an admirably-trained baritone voice, and is aho ft good actor, recalling in some respects tho style of Wallace Hrownlrw. A'i-'-a Alay Beatty, as Margot, rang, danced, and acted with pleasing vivacity, ami shared the honours amongst tho ladies of the company with Miss Alay Garstang -Miss Alice Pollard, and Mias Ronald n att»Phillips. Tho chorus is an unusually strong one, and it has tho supnert ol a very efficient orchestra, under the baton"of Signor A. Brahms. ’Hie dressing, mounting, and st a go-grouping are exceptionally fine; the many colours of tho officers’ uniforms—which are historically correct to the smallest detail of their designs—make a pageant, the like of which is rarely seen on any colonial stage. “Bill Adams” will bo repeated this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. There were two performances given at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, Air Rickard,’ Company appearing for tuo bet time. Lo Roy, Umco, and Talma were again watched with great interest. A holiday programme Is announced for to-night by Messrs Fuller and Sons. Fresh talent will be introduced, including La! Logie, a comic singer, and Jack Hagan, comedian, both from the vaudeville stages of Australia. Other attractions aro announced.