THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11634, 18 December 1901, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE. SHERIDAN SEASONTheresas a crowded house, ai. the Theatre Royal last evening, for the second night of Mr John. F. Sheridan's company the piece staged hfiing the old favourite. " Fun on the Bristol;,'' it is generally recognised that Mr. Shsridan in the comedy, is, seen to the greatest advantage, his repjiassntation of the." Widow O'Brien*"' gaining the leputatioQ. for him which has madft his tame a household word. We are ; snie that everyone who saw him last evjanifig was satisfied that his laurels had been, fairly earned, the widow fairly convulsing, the audience at jey.ocy appearance with hoc Irish witticisms and mirth-provoking aniifis. Mr Sheridan's [raake up is exceedingly, goad, and it is hard [for some to believe tjiat he is a "mere iiaan," and not a gay;-widow, on the look out for arother scalps The play abounds in the most humouroirs and ridiculous situations, and in all Mii Sheridan sustained his part with admirable, tact and skill. A good deal ol the fun w.as provided by Mr Edmund Duggan, as Captain Cranberry, s® irascible old gentleman, who- leads his son Tommy (Mr F. Qrossley), a bashful youog man, a miserable life, till a revolt takes place, and Tomj&y announces his intention of being a "man." Mr Crossley ylwed his part capital iy, contributing a good, deal towards, the humourous situations. Mr Fred WentwQgth again- made a very . good Count Menasgio, and was especially entertaining in t'ie " music lesson " sceus> with 'the two daughters of the "widow." Several' of thft ladies, Miss Florrie Bares (as Dora Miss Celia Mavis (Nora Bree-on),, and Miss Florence Faning (Bella Thompson), appeared in different parts, and each succeeded ii£ highly delighting the audience. A special feature of the performance the " concert" on th& s.s. Bristol. Mr Tom Edwards gave a coon song and eccentric dance, and in response to an encore went through some wonderful tumbling and balancing. Later on he a great success in a " cake walk " with Miss Florence Faning. Mr Crossley sang a ' eomic song, "The Giddy Curate," and in j response, to an encore, gave a serenata, -with Gerardy 'cello interruptions, a very Cleveland amusing bit of nonsense. A burlesque on "II Travotore" by Mr Sheridan, (as Count de Lunatic Kroger), Miss Mavis (Leonora Ladysffiith), and Mr Dalgleish (Maurice Cecil Rhodes), was most cll Pertaining, the climax being reached when Mr Sheridan, capitulated to his opponent at the eiM of a sword combat, waving a small white flag. Mr Bert Bradley sang witneonspicuous ability and success The Boers have got my Daddy," and "John. Bully. A series of living pictures, a whistling song by Miss Daisy Chard, and a coon song by Miss Barns, assisted in what must be regarded as a most enjoyable "extra. This evening will be the last night o. the present season, there w:ill another entire change of bill,-Mr Sheridan being seen as Johanna Murphy in A Trip to Chicago." This has been a trump card all through the Australian States and New Zealand, and there seems a decided vote in its ' favour as being (it it could possibly be so) funnier than the funniest of ail Fun on the Bristol. Being new here much interest will naturally bs centred on its production-. During last evening it was announced that, in response to a generally expressed wish, the company would play m Trniaru on Boxing night, the 26th inst., and the (following evening, when the two plays, " When the Lamps are Lighted and " The New East Lyne will be staged. The latter play is owned exclusively by Mr Sheridan, and is most highly spoken of by all c-iti>s. Mr Sheridan takes the improvised part, of "Murty O'Flvnn, and _is said to -u>r>ear at his- best. Miss Maud Grae, as the Lady Isabel,-* recognised as the leader in this part .and the highest commendation. The ref.uiii visit will, no doubt, be hailed with please bT-a large;number -of theatre-goers.