THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14209, 25 May 1910, Page 7

THEATRE ROYAL.

BRIGHT HOl'ils CHILDREN

Miss 1' . iola Pun!, or Ashburtou, is lo be complimented on her efforts in the direction or providing, through tile medium of children, a bright and heaithv uirm of entertainment. Tln> Utile members of her company are not strangers to Timaru, having appeared here 011 a former occasion, but they were none the leas welcome on that account, when tliey appeared ut the \ heatre Hoyal in Timaru for the second time, last night, and an entertainment which lasted over two hours. The members 01 the company ate ail Ashburton and Miss Paul, as musical directress and Mr I' rank ±i. Cheat, as stage manager, must have taken infinite pains to train them to their clever dances, pretty action songs, and (quaint movements of various descriptions. The audience was an appreciative one, and the original programme was materially extended by repitinons. The entertainment opened with ;i nicely played pianoforte overture, which was followed hv a. precty .sv»ing sono-, little Leah Irving, t'n a swing, taking the solo, while a number 01 girls, in red and white, t.'j! up tiie chorus with great vim. "iliere ain't another Daddy*-' was next patriotically _ given by the company, Miss May iverr taking the solo; then Mi-cs Kuiily "Williams and chorus gave a fine interpretation of "Barney o'i^ea, ,, the tiny soloist doing so well as to easily earn an encore. Miss May Smith displayed a voice of great range aud line quality to advantage in her solo. ■/Butterflies, 11 and this was followed by ti novelty in the shape of military marching aud drill, by a- number of girls, who. in their smart blue and white uniforms aud caps, assumed a. truly .soldierly bearing, and went through their drill and lield luanoouv- ' res in clean and pretty style. Miss t T riel Johnston and chorus sang "Mv Si n^alee,' 1 the soloist doiny very welL indeed. ;i.tul Thou came a striking tambourine dance ill v.hicli the Misses Doris Thompson, "May Kerr. and Emily ;ii\d Don's ANilliants took part. "Cldsq ) our Dreamy Eyes," was a difficult number ti> ■which Miss May Smith did lull justice, ;nid equally successful was I Miss Eva Goodman and Miss May Kerr

with their number, "I'll ba Your Sweetheart." The last item 011 tlic iirst part of the programme was a novel one, 'A. Girl irom Berlin,'' in which Miss Doris Williams, appropriately robed took the solo, and was assisted by a .strong chorus. In the second part. Miss Eiuilv "Williams and chorus, gave "Brittania" verv nicely, and "Dorothy Dean" was delightfully given by Miss Leah Irving and chorus, A grotesque and amusing item was that given by four "Sprites of the Night," led by Miss Eva Kerr. The girls Mere dressed in a gory red and went through queer gesticulations to the accompaniment of their song, which is intended to instil fear into old and young. One of the host solos of the night was undoubtedly that given by Miss Dons Williams when she gave a skilful and very pleasing interpretation of "Be My Butterfly." Miss Jimily W'illiaws also scored a decided hit with her pathetic rendering of "Please give nte_a Penny," the audience showing their appreciation by showering pennies upon the stage as she was singing. Roman drill, by the company, was T-3ry good: Miss May Smith appeared again and sang "I'm Wearing My Heart Away" : Miss Doris Williams gave "Castanetta," and the concluding item on the bill of fare was "Climb tin, C'hiU'r.n climb." this frunishing a fitting wind-up to a bright and pleasing evening's amusement.