THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13638, 4 July 1908, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

FRANK THORNTON'S COMPANY

" When Knights were Bold/':' suggests something in connection 'with the clays ot old, when deedis of; chivalry- and' valour were the order of the day, <tnd when fair maidens wero won only after. a suitors rivals had been .disposed of after: a combat to the deatlf; ' and the comedy bearing t-lii.ssuggestive title which Mr Erank • Thornton and his company' eiiacted in tht> Theatre It oval last evening iiot only gave the audience a glimpse •of life'.m the 12th century, but. kepi them in a constant etate of merriment and ; incidentally enhanced Mr '1 hornton's reputation as_ a lirst-claus comedian, lie took the leading par., that of Sir Guy de Vere, a. young brainless nobleman, who alter making a thorough fool, of himself. with his female relations, takes a sleep and dreams- of life in the 12th century. . This; dream takes a most incongruous form, the young knight in his dress suit making a strange contrast to the medieval figures around him. In the dream lie imagines lie meets and slays his rival to the mind of his cousin, l.auy Rowena Kggiiigton, this probabjy being canted by h«»' 'cousin, in hiii.'Waking, state, having taunted him with bring so unlike his ancestors,, who would don armour and islay any rival to the hand of a lady. The dream over, Sir Guy, by simulating lunacy, shows his cousin that he is r as good 36 any were "when knighs were bold," and finally wir.fi her for his wife. The rival, be it- noted, had been introduced by a scheming Jew so that Sir Guy might be persuaded to marry the Jew's daughter ii, preference to his cousin. Mr Tliorntcii was it-Hi-if in the part of Sir Giiy, and will his splendid acting- constant flow of humour practically kept 'file ball' rolling the whole time. rie \'yas ably assisted by a numb;')- of others,' notably Misses Donaldson and Maniiield and Messrs' Hamilton, Stone and Ashfordj while the' Missis Willis, Dudley, Trench and j Hawthorne also played their respective piarts well. The comedy, though of ordinary idigihi w.,i-> heralded with a short coiufedieita,-' JAws Maniiield and Mr Powell being ..its interpreter. 1 -, and it was ts successful, as .lie star attraction. The audience last evening was a large one, and all- appeared to thoroughly appreciate the, attractions provided for .them. ; kubeljk: This.; evening at,the Theatre- Royal, a musical eveui in the annals of 'limaru, will transpire. Kubeiik, the greatest living violinist,, will give one. of uio.se memorable recitals thai have made hitn famous throughout the civilised world. Kubeiik burst upon the art world a lew years ago, tlie Paganiiii pf i: his time. To hilri , nothing is impossible—-perfect; .-jchnique, perfect tone, and a masterful, dominating will. What Paderewsii is to the piano, with Chopin, Brahms arid Liszt, the supeib maestro of the ■ strings is to the violin—a - veritable... magician. His first appearance in New York was memorable. '..At .the..., when the management closed the doors, nearly •six thousand had pai.d; for admission, wildest excitement over h:r; playing swayed this immense crowd;which would not let the artist conclude until he, had supplied almost, a second programme of encores. Music lovers are unanimous in saying that no artist ever before created such enthusiasm.- The I'aganini school, the heavy classical school of serious rominiicist.;—in a word, all schools—And ideal treir menti tinder his Wonderful bow. At to-i.ighl's. concert, he 5 - will be assisted by Mis.. Etna Mueller, mi?zzo soprano, Miss Emily Dyason, solo - pianist, and . Herr 1-ud.v.g Schwab, accompanist. The box pia a of the guinea arid lialf-guinea seats are on 'view at' the Dresden, where 5s ind v;s. tickets are also on sale.