THORNTON COMEDY SEASON.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11946, 22 December 1902, Page 4

THORNTON COMEDY SEASON.

FACING THE MUSIC. Timaru plaj-goers will have an opportunity afforded them this evening of meeting an old friend and favourite in the' person of Mr Frank Thornton, who makes a welcome reappearance aiter an absence of four years. He comes to us laden ■with mirth-provoking plays of the highest order, and is accompanied by a coterie of English comedians entirely new to us,,' but possessing a very sound reputation in the Old Country and elsewhere. Each, member of the company has been selected by Mr Thornton with a special view to the various requirements of his extensive repertoire.

The initial performance will consist of J. H. Darnley's enormously successful farce comedy entitled "Facing the Music," described as a laugh from the jump. This play enjoyed a run of over 300 nights at the Strand Theatre, London. Since then it has been played for an entire season at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, and quite recently concluded a record run of seven consecutive weeks at the Palace Theatre, Sydney. Our Dune, lin friends also speak of the production in terms of the highest praise. The chief attraction will be preceded by the bright and merry musical sketch " A Test Match," which has also -received the London and Australian hall marks, so that those who enjoy good honest-laughter are pretty sure to be satisfied, as both pieces are brimful of wholesome fun and merriment.

Mr Thornton's season is positively'limited to two nights only, and for to-morrow night another comedy entirely new to us has been selected to fill the bill, the sparkling and unique play " A Little Ray ..ot bunshme," will be presented. It is described as a beautiful series of sketches of home life in the Old Country at Xmas ■tune full of merriment, blended with a touch of pathos. The box plans for both evenings are on view at the Dresden. h