AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 387, 12 May 1910, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

GEORGE WILLOUGIIBY CO. ' "THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY." Weedon Grosmith's famous farcical comedy, "The Night of the Party," which, when it is staged at the TheatreRoyal to-morrow night, will be presented for the 2510 th time. The company includes David James, the leading comedian, son of the famous David James, who all the world over is known by his association with "Our Boys"; Amy Wilkrd, who first came out here with Nellie Stewart's "Sweet Nell" Company; Mab Paul, the leading lady, one of London's noted beauty actresses, who has been a prominent member of Sir Herbert Tree's companies; Hugh C. Buckler, the "juvenile lead," a very fine actor, Avho has' been associated in London with Oscar Asche, Sir Herbert Tree and Henry Irving; Violet Paget, who was leading lady with George Giddens (out here with "Are you a Mason?"), after Miss Esther Knight Mollison (now Mr*. T. H. Kelly); ihad left the company; Reginald Fry (a son of the late famous- editor of "Vanity Fair"); Arthur Comoll, who was last here with the Willoughby, Ward Co.; and George Willoughby, who has brought out and organised the company. "The Night of the Party" will be staged under most 'auspicious circumstances. The principals were all rehearsed in London personally hy Weedon Grossmith. Mr. David James was picked up by Mr. Grossmith to play the .role of Croabie, the valet which he himself has enacted nearly 2350 times. Miss Mab Paul, leading lady, was for two years witii Sir Herbert Tree's company at His Majesty's Theatre, London. During that lengthy engagement Miss Paul appeared with Oscar and Lily Bravton in the notable revival of "Trilby," in which .Sir Herbert Tree was Svengali, Mias Brayton "Trilby," and Oscar Asche. "Toffy." Miss Paul was also in the cast of "Horod," which included Oscar Asche and Lily Bravton. "The Night of the Party" should considerably add to the gaiety of playgoers. Its wholesome humor and genuinely mirth-provoking situations send the play along with vim from beginnins to end and, in addition, it i» splendidly acted. George WtfJoughby'a clever sketch of the pompous butler, Mr. Fhmbert, is one of the most delightful character sketches in the piece, and* alone would be worth going to see. On Saturday night another splendid comedy, ''What Happened to Jones?" 'will be staged. The plan is now on view at Collier and Co.'s.