ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2405, 21 January 1909, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

‘■THE PRINCE OF PILSEX.” His Majesty’s Theatre was packed to the doors last evening when Air. J. C. AYilliamson’s Alusical Comedy Company produced “The Prince of Pilseu.’ v As a musical production ~ “The Prince of Pilsen” is of a higher order of merit than most musical comedies, aud is not far removed from the plane of comic opera. The dialogue is well connected, the characters are varied and well-balanced, there is an abundance of crisp humor, and a pleasing absence of an overquantity of work that rightly belongs to the music hall artist. The audience last evening thoroughly enjoyed the play, aud the principals were encored again and again. The greater pirt of the eomedv work falls upon Mr. Charles Loder, as Hans Wagner, a Cincinatti brewer, who is vrongly taken to be the Prince of Pilsen, when he arrives at Nice. The partallowed Mr. Loder ample scope for some clever work, and his dsxlect and wit-tv savings kept the audience in the best of temper whenever lie was on the stags. Mr. John lord had a small part as Jimmy, buttons to the International Hotel, but contrived to ge in some good ‘knockabout” work and some clever eccentric dancing. Mr. Fred. Leslie also provided u good share of fun as I rancois. a hotel concierge. Aliss Olive Godwin had a pleasing part as the widow Mrs. Crocker, and -Aliss -Mane Eaton and Aliss Ivy Scott- were m <r Oo d, though distinctly diverse roles, as Nellie Wagner and Sidome, respective! v. The other characters were well filled. The general mounting of the phy was on a superior scale. The costumes were rich and well varied, especially in the delightfill musical number la.o of tho Cities,’ in which ladies appropriately costumed represented the chief cities;,, of Australia and Now A calami In the second act Aliss Aiollio Wilson gave a solo dance in a very graceful The company left tor Napier by the Alanuka last night.

THE RUSSIAN BOY-PRODIGIES, Although instrumental music will form the basis of the Chermavsln performances, the necessary robot w ill be provided in the vocal department by Madame Marie Hooton and Mr. lercival Driver. .. The former, who was here three years ago with the Westminster Glee Party, will contribute some of the choicest gems of our national music ia the form of old British folk-songs, mam- of which have not beep heard in this country before, and in the recent tour of South Africa such charming examples as the Old Devonshire soims “The Barley Straw” and •‘Sweet* Nightingale.” together with AiTkA \V«„ Cured” and “T],u > ' Poor Couple” aroused the greatest enthusiasm. ; Mr Porcival Driver, who comes to ns* for the first time, with the highest credentials, will essay a number of favorable excerpts, including some of his own composition. The Royal Academy of Music has seldom turned out so remarkable a sitme.r, as is evinced bv the fact that Mr? Driver succeeded in winning every prize and scholarship which 't is possible for vocalist to win at that V ' historical institution. - The Cherniavskis will appear at..; His Majesty’s on Saturday and Mon- . . da- next. The box "lan will bo opened at Miller’s this'morning.