THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13873, 8 April 1909, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

MISS LANCASHIRE LTD. It is seldom indeed that Timaru the-atre-goers are treated to such a mirth provoking entertainment as was given in the Theatre Royal last night by the Florence Baines' Comedy Company. The fame of the company had evidently preceded it for a big audience assembled to see and hear it, and it is quite safe to say that no one went away disappointed. This has been the case whereever the company has appeared, and it lias been playing in the dominion to big houses now for some time past. Miss Lancashire Limited, is a two-act musical farce which not only bears out the Lest traditions of the comedy business, but it may be said to excel the ordinary run of comedy. For the space of two and a half hours, from the rise to the fall of the curtain, the fun came fast and furious, and had a dull moment made the slightest attempt to creep in, it would have met with sudden death. There are characters in the cast, but it must be admitted that in reality there is one, and the remaining eight merely furnish opportunities for this one to shine. Miss Florence Baines (the Lancashire lass) is the life and soul,, the alpha and the omega of the piece, and it is tolerably certain that the audience would have been quite content to watch and listen to her without any supporting players. As an fictress she is an artist of the front-

I rank; added to this, "she is possessed of a very hue voice or great range she used last night to the best possible advantage;, ana with these attributes as well as with, her quaint dialect and the humour of the situations created, the audience was delighted. From tin extensive repertoire of songs Miss Barnes last night gave "Home Sweet Home, I nx Airaid to go -.Home iu the JJark." and one of her famous laughing songs, all three being received with warm demonstrations of approval. Two members of the cast who are wellknown here, and to whom a cordial reception was given, were Mr Barrie Marscliell (who appeared last night in the role of a solicitor) and Miss Rene ilarscliell who played effectively a somewhat exacting part as Bertha Higgins. Perhaps the role which called for most effort next to that sustained by l\iiss Baiues was chat of Moses Goldberg (a Jew) and it must be said that Mr Burton did this full justice. Miss Lavinia Mackenzie, as Eva Lancashire, had a good conception of what was required of her, and earned commendation for her exposition of the part. The company will appear again tonight and all to whom laughter is an enjoyment can be recommended to go. TAYLOR-CARRINGTON PICTURES.

To-morrow evening the above excellent entertainment will be presented at the Theatre Royal for one night only. The films to be shown are of the finest, and what commends them more especially is the fact that none of them, have been shown here before, Mr Taylor and Miss Carrington having sole copyright of every film they use until they choose to allow it to go to someone else. This in itself is a great inducement to attend their striking entertainments, : as one may be sure of seeing only new and original pictures. The programme has been specially selected, and includes the latest dramatic, scenic, and industrial pictures, assisted by beautiful musical effects. Seats may be reserved at the Dresden.