ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2268, 13 August 1908, Page 1

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“CHARLEY’S AUNT.”

Though “Charley’s Aunt,” “the old huly from Brazil (where tho nuts come from,” was first introduced to Gisborne by Mr. Frank Thornton, fifteen years ago, tho elderly diuno was ablo again last evening to re-establish herself upon a foundation of shrieking laughter with tho large audience that filled llis Majesty’s Theatre. “Charley’s Aunt” has perhaps made more people laugh than any other comedy of its class, and this is because the dialogue is crisp and wholesome, the sayings smart and humorous, and tho situations tho limit of tho absurd'and ridiculous. Tho plot, as are the plots of most ‘comedies, is simple. Two Oxford undergraduates, Jack Chesney and Charlio Wykoham, aro expecting to ho visited by van aunt from Brazil, and invito two young ladies to lunch to meet tho aunt. 'flip. real aunt fails to arrive,: and another undergraduate, Lord Fancourt Babborly, who is given to private tli'-atricals, is pressed into an impersonation, and from that timo, tho fun begins, and continues to keep the audience in hysterical laughter until the fall of the curtain. Mr Frank Thornton has brought with him a comploto company of English actors, and tile comedy was presented on a scale last evening that left no room for improvement. Mr. Frank Thornton, in his old rolo of “Babs,”. had his audienco laughing from the moment ho donned tho petticoats for anJamateur theatrical rehearsal, amjtAfimid himself introduced to all and sundry as tho wealthy relative of his college chum Charley. Tho part affords wide scope for a lot of side play, and “Babs,” although now and again embarrassed with the deception. lie is playing, on tho whole has a good time, and at last faces tho world again in his ordinary attire, much to tho disgust of one old gentleman who had fallen into the trap rather deeply. The audience screamed at Mr. Thornton’s absurdities, and many a side was aching from overlaughter when tho deceptive aunt gathered up her skirts in such a manner as to afford a view of “His Lordship’s trousers” and fled from tho odious and amorous attentions of "Mr Spettigue.” Tho fun of the play never flagged, and Air. Thornton showod that time has not allowed him to lose any of his mirth-making art. Air. Douglas Hamilton, whose heroic deed when landing in tho morning was promptly remembered by the audience, made a. stately Col. Sir Francis Chesney. Air Harry Ashford made an ideal Stephen Spettigue. He showed a clever conception of the part, liis comedy work was well done, and bis absurd scenes with tho false aunt sent the audience into uncontrolled laughter. Air. T. Powell, as Jack Chesney, and Air. C. Stone as Charles AYykehanijWere well cast as two college students. Aliss Harriot Trench made a dainty and charming Donna Lucia D’Alverdorez, Charley’s real aunt. Aliss Lily AVillis, Aliss Belle Donaldson, and Aliss Glare Alanifield were equally successful as Amy Spettigue, Kitty Verdun, and Ella Delahay respectively, while Air. R. Stephenson made a good Brassett, a college scout. The play was well mounted, and tastofully costumed. FACING THE AIUSIC.

To-night Air. Frank Thornton and liis new company will appear in. J. H. Darnley’s farcical comedy, “Facing tile Alusic,” a play that lias a wido reputation as a laugh-maker. “Facing tho Alusic” will bo preceded at 8 o’clock sharp by “Clause Six,” a pretty one-act play, as a curtainraiser. To-morrow night Air. Frank Thornton will appear for tho last time in tho evor-popular comedy, “The Private Secretary,” appearing as the Rev. Robert Spalding, a part Tie has played over 100 times. This is positively Air. Thornton’s last visit to New Zealand, and to-morrow night will be the last opportunity the Gisborne public will have to see him iu one of liis best characters.