"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 7004, 8 May 1906, Page 2

"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."

If musical comedy of the lightest and brightest appeals to residents of a country district as much as it does to those who livo in cities, the production of " The Earl and the Girl" by the J. F. Sheridan Company at the Town Hall, Hamilton, yesterday evening, must have been a treat of the highest order. Apart from the intrinsic merits of the piece with its powerful illustrations of the various sides of human nature, the plot is itself decidedly original, and aided by the full strength of the company, the interest of the audience was held unbroken from first to last. The staging of the piece was magnificent, no detail, however small, was forgotten, and it speaks well for the enterprise of a man-ageuir-nt which brings such strong choruses so far from the beaten track. Mr Sheridan as "Jim Cheeze" was inimitable. His quaint unc mscious humour kept the house in roars of laughter, while his topical and local allusions were apt, and quickly appealed to his audience. Miss lieba Barlow as "Liza Cheeze's "donah," acted with a very fine conception of her part, proving herself an actress in every sense uf the word. She was particularly good in her rendering of the catchy " BomBombay " and in the duet in the second act. The Di'jk "Wargravo of Mr Avalon Collard was well above the avorage, and Mr Collavi! proved himself both an exc l'ent comedian and —in "By the Shores of ihe Mediterranean"—a capable singer. Mr Thomas Curran was a most amusing I'ownham —an up -to - date Amercan solicitor; Miss AlinnieGrey, as Daisy sang very effectively the songs " Sporting " and " '^hopping; " Miss Solburtio (Lady (iuine) wig responsible for a oliarming rendering of the serenade in Act It. j nnd Miss Bay Jones was a pretty little Elphin Have, who gave two good numbers in a love song and the rose song. Other characters that were well done were the Hon. Crew-Boodle (Mr

Rupert Julian), and the two formidable foes in the bloodthirsty A. Bunker Bliss (Mr Jean de Lacy), and Mrs Shimmering Black (Miss Florence Fanning).

TO-NIGHT. This evening Mr Sheridan will produoe in the Town Hall, his celebrated musical comedy, "Fun on the Bristol." Every man, woman and child has heard of the above actor-manager's world-famed creation of the character " Widow O'Brien," and playgoers will have an opportunity to-night to see for themselves the play and the part which made Mr Sheridan's name a household word throughout the world. Tbe strength of the company will take part in this production, and during the action of the second act, a grand concert and vaudville programme will be given by the principals, chorus, and ballet of the company. As last night, there is sure to be another crowded house to welcome Mr Sheridan and his company to-night. By special requnst, Miss Heba Barlow will sing " Bom-Bombay," which made such a decided hit last night.