ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2269, 14 August 1908, Page 1

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“FACING THE AIUSIC.”

Tho unavoidable circumstance that causes two Air. John Smiths to occupy flats in tho same building is the cause of all the laughter, confusion, embarrassment, and faeicaj stage craft served to the largo audience that last evening filled His Majesty's Theatre to witness Mr. Frank Thornton and his new English Comedv Companv produce the side-splitting comedy “Facing the Music.” The play is undoubtedly one of the best m Mr. Thornton’s repertoire, and its laughing qualities are persistent ii)d continuous, and the audience reeled from side to side at tho genuine comedy and wholesome nonsense' that was in every line of the dialogue and every situation in each act. The trouble arises out of the Rev. John Smith's wife, who lias been away on if holiday, inadvertently making hers'df at home in the apartments of the other Air. Smith. Tho right Airs. Smith then appears on the scene, and from (hat time until matters right themselves with the lull of the curtain, Afr. John Smith, has an extremely bad time. Tho fun is fast and furious, and the audience is completely carried away with the. humor of tho situations. Air. Frank Thornton fairly revelled in the humor of tho character of “The other Air. John Smith,” and his side plav to tho part was funny in tho extreme, The great charm of his work wasmis ' Spontaneity, his jokes were never labored, but possessed a quality that always convulsed his audience, and his “John Smith” was. without doubt, tho funniest ever seen on a Gisborne stage. Air. Charles Windermere also deserves the warmest commendation for his part as tho Rev. John Smith, which was a clever character study, droll to a degree, and went to show that Air. AYimlermero possesses unusual gifts for creating comedy character parts. Air. Templer Powell had a big part as Dick Desmond, but ho showed himself equal to the task, and ho was frequently applauded for his work. Afr. Douglas Hamilton, as Colonel Duncan Smith, and Air Harry Ashford as Detective Duffell had small but important parts. Miss Clare Alanifiejd made a splendid Alabel, the Rev. John Smith’s wife: and Aliss Dora Donaldson a capital Nora, “the other Air. Smith’s wife,” while Aliss Harriet Trench and Alisa Lily Willis wero successful as Airs. Pouting and Aliss Fotlieringay respectively. Previous to tho play Air. Xomple Powell and Aliss Clare Alanifield appeared in a curtain-raiser b.v Air. Charles Windermere (a member of the company), entitled “Clause fclix.” The piece is distinctly unique and clever, and was mot with full appreciation. “THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.” This evening Air. Thornton will appear as tho Rev. Robert Spaldimj, in “The Private Secretary.” a plav that will cause roars of laughter, and as this will positively he Air. Thornton’s last appearance in Gisbornetho Theatre should be crowded.