HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 670, 8 January 1903, Page 10

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Mr J. C. Williamson’s Musical Comedy Company is having a successful season at His Majesty’s Theatre. “A Runaway Girl” has been very popular, and has been drawing crowded houses since Boxing Night. Miss ilian Digges has made many friends by her pleasing acting and singing, making a great hit with the songs “Sly Cigarette,” “I am only a Singing Girl,”' and “The Boy Guessed Right,” all of which are encored each evening. Miss Rose Musgrove receives quite an ovation, at d scores heavily with her graceful and clever dances, and associated with Mr F. Graham in several duets and impersonations, fairly bring down the house. On Saturday night a new duet was introduced by these artists entitled “The Dutch Duet,” which proved even a greater success than coon scenes. Mr Graham, as Flipper, is responsible for a good deal of fun and amusement with his comic songs, jokes and antics. Mr Fred Lesle, Mr Lyding, Mr Bantock, Miss Kelton, and Miss Wallace, all earn a full share of the applause accorded, showing the appreciation of the large audiences. The choruses and orchestra also come in for special mention, as does the splendid scenery, which all help to make one of the best performances in Auckland.

superior, wmisv the staging and dressing are as gorgeous as the most satiated playgoer could demand. Mr Fred Graham’s Li is a satisfac ory performance, Miss Rose Musgrove. in the title role, is i robably the most satisfactory member of the cast, her singing, her dancing, and her general representation of the character is decidedly good. Miss Lilian D gges is as graceful and fetching as ever in the part of Dudley. Mr Arthur Crane sings nicely as Captain Bobby Preston, and Mr Claude Bantock in his original part makes a success of Yen How. Mr Maurice Dudley is successful with the part of Sir Bingo Preston, Messrs A. Lissant, George Lyding, and Fred Leslie, who represent at least a moiety of the strength of the company, have but small and ineffective parts to play. The same remark applies to the ladies outside of those already referred to. There were some pretty concerted numbers, some lovely scenic effects and dressing. “San Toy” should hold the boards for a lengthy run.

The Neville-Oswald Dramatic Company have had a very successful tour through the Taranaki districts. The company intend visiting the Northern districts of Auckland early this month Mr Kirshaw has been engaged to represent them ahead. He will arrive here in a few days to make the necessary arrangements.