THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13650, 18 July 1908, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

" THE EARL AXD THE GIRL."

The Anderson-Sheridan Company opened a two night season hist eveuing in this theatre Royal with "Ihe Earl and the Girl." The theatre whs well-lillcd and the snap of the movement and the brightness of the dialogue kept the audience in conliiuud roars of laughter throughout. The plot rests on a. dog trainer taking on for u. consideration, the character of an Earl for one- evening, and the scenes depicted are placed in the reception room of an inn and the conservatory of Stole Hall. John F. Sheridan's impersonation of the famous widow is now regarded as llio standard of success in straightout comedy, :sud in his character of Jim C'heeze the dog trainer last night it was seen that the creation' of one great character had nob capped Lis vitality nor grooved Lis originality. Hw humour is given out not by Avoids but, by Lis sense of proportion and the grotesgu'e. In doing the gavotte with -Miss Virginia Bliss of Stole Hall, lna conception of the unsophisticated one living to glide through a straDge dance by imitating his partner was excellent, and liis toilet—flesh tights, with sable and ermine cloak, and coronet adomings towzlcd head—helped not a little to increase the ripple of pleasure that he continuously sent through the house. Mr James Hughes carried out well the part of the tempestous American, who wishes to waste away in blood the supposed dishonour done his family by Dick Wargave (the Earl as it amis out) running a way with his niece. One of tlie strongest characters taken was that of a Yankee solicitor by Mr J. Jtlagan. He had to a nicety the popular conception of the thousand word a ihiuute American strawsplittcr who is always ou the look out for a brief for the defence. As Mr Morry Cohen, Mr Walter Ricardo was well-placed; the part is a light one but wants and got an earnest inleipretalion. Mr Thomas Curran made a convincing lover of the heiress and his iinnl explanation to his prospective uncle in law was neatly done. As The Girl Miss Marie ICaton was the love-sick-grown-up schoolgirl to the life and Miss Stella Selboumc as the stately Virginia also ably sustained her role. Miss Hilda Lane and Miss Eio banning took their parts acceptably. Miss Uebe Barlow made a decided hit as the coster girl, her mannerisms were taking and her singing was always welcome. Her rendition of the well-known if too much heard of " Ison\ Bom Bay" was good, her idt'a of the pathetic nature of the chorus being inverted by the pit in—"All together please"—repetition. This evening the "Widow O'Brien'' will rc-vieit Tiniaru in "Fun on the Bristol," when Mr Sheridan and his accomplished company will be sure to have another large, audience to make meny with the "lone widder." THE MERRYMAKERS. The approaching vkit of the Merrymakers, an English combination of more than average repute, who are credited with giving a brilliant en ertainmeml on blight lines, .will no doubt, be greatly ap'pieciated by Timaru pat ions on Monday and Tuesday, 27th aud 28th hist. The Merrymakers have been selected for this tour by Mr. G. I'. Huntley, the noted English comedian, and Mr. Herbert Clayton, of London .musical comedy fame ; the "latter artist aceompank-s the party to New Zealand. J. M. Campbell, a. wellknown Londiu comedian, impetsonations of Harry Lauder are said to be immense, Sam Walsh, piano .sketch artist, Gavin Wood, Eric Blore, Misses Betty Ohls, -Elsie 'Williams, and Doris kind are all names' prominently associated wit/h London's leading vaudeville, and music comedy. The latest English song sucesS'.is, bright sayings, burlesque on modern play.*, bnllads. and pad singing, tjuaint dances, and monologues f form a part of the Merrymakers' attractive programme. This new form or entertainment, ronsiMinjr as it dors, if high-class vaudeville., bids fair to become popular in the coloni.s as it i? proving in Great Britain. 'The prices have been fixed on popular .hues.. vix.,'3.s., 25., and Is. The boxplan opens next. Tuesday at ; the Dresden.