AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 214, 3 September 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE EARL AND THE GIRL." When Mr. J. F. Sheridan appeared at the front of the stage towards the close of the performance last night of "The Earl and the Girl" in the Theatre Royal and asked if he had in any way curtailed the piece, he was greeted with a storm of applause and a chorus of "No." His reception should have assured him. even if the continued laughter and plaudits of the house the night through had not already done so, that this musical comedy was as popular as ever. Right from start to finish the corks were drawn from the laughter-bottles, and there was no chance of closing j down. As scene after scene, farce after farce, developed itself, the crowd was

simply roaring with delight. Mr. Sheridan is undoubtedly a marvel in his presentation of "Jim' Cheese," the dogtrainer, a part which makes heavy demands upon the artist's ability, versatility, and endurance. Right' through the piece he was inimieally funny, his facial expression being wonderful. T le was "the enrl for one night only," and his antics in high life were wildly hilarious. He was assisted in no small degree by Miss Heba Barlow as Liza Shodhaiu, a coster girl, and Jim ' Cheese's sweetheart. Miss Barlow is an artist of no mean order, and she put new life

into the old "lloni-Boiii-Bay" song an.l chorus. Bunker Blis>, a lire-eating Yankee, was burly enough and noisy enough to effect his puiT.osc without the two "property" pisloK and the strong woman, Mrs. Shimmering Black (Miss Flo Failing) added to the'clamor in no small degree, both presenting their parts 'well. Mks Marie Eaton was very convincing as "the girl," and scored a success in her singing of "The Red Rose of England." The role of Dick Wargrave, the real earl, was taken by Mr. Thomas Cumin, and he did the part full justice. The minor parts were well sustained. The scenery in the second act, representing the ballroom at Stole Hull, iras pretty, the dressing throughout superb, and the dancing of a very high order, the little mites' turns being Icliglrtfnl. The orchestral accompaniment at times, however, was too loud for the little ones' singing. Taken right through, the performance must rank as especially good.