ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2466, 2 April 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS/'

His Majesty’s Theatre 'held a large audience again last evening, when Messrs Meynell and Gunn s Diamtic C’ompanv presented the melodrama “Two Little .Sailor Boys.” This play is of a more sensational order than its predecessor, “A Miner’s 'J rust, ’ j-nd it contains a good plot, muon npnesty of purpose and .strong scenes, and afrords many opportunities for powerful work. The story holds the interest from start to finish* and tells how Admiral Grey, retired, has married a second wife. The ■stepmother piakes the life of the Admiral’s chid!ren miserable. She had, previous to the opening .of the play, deserted her husband and child. The child has been adopted by a thief, Jim Rovston, and one night an attempt 'is made by him to rob the Admiral’s bou c o. The burglars are surprised by Mrs Grey, but have had time enough to secure a packet of papers, which she d*es not desire her husband to see. while the Admiral’s wife is bargaining with the burglar, Captain Tregarthen. enters the room, and the burglar makes off The captain is in love with the Admiral’s daughter, and Mrs. Grey accuses ■him of robbing the safe. The boy finds out that the Admiral’s wife is Ins real mother, and while he saves the captam from the false accusation, shields Insmother. Mrs. Grey goes to Royston, demands the papers, and murders himShe is again shielded by her son, but j n the last act her first husband returns from South Africa, denounces her and the eon is sent to the Navy, with the Admral’s son, and ail ends happily for those who are guiltless. The honors of the performance last evening were with Miss Lillian Meyers, as Lola Grey- Miss Meyers excelled herself in every way, and showed that she is capable of powerful and emotional work. Her scenes were all good. She has a fine stage appearance, and she acted convincingly and artistically throughout. Miss Meyers gave a finished performance or her part, and the audience showed their appreciation by loud applause. Miss Beatrice HolloTvay had a nice part as Cyril Grey, the Admiral’s son. Miss Holloway makes a capital boy, and is able to 'reproduce all the mannerisms of the English youtiiA different type of boy was Tom Yorke, as played by Miss Mabel Russell. Tom Yorke is a burglar’s apprentice, but he is honest enough to know that it is wrone to thieve, and honorable enough to shield Ills’ mother, when he knows she lias done wrong. Mr. Herbert J ■ Bentley made a good Captain Tre garthen. but at times his acting seemed a little forced, and his voice rather aficcted. He quickly won the audience to his side, however, and deserves no small share of oraise for his interpretation of the part. Mr. A. Neville was the scheming villain of the p:ot, Lieutenant Redstone, and had the satisfaction of being hissed and hooted at intervals, as all stage villains should Mr. J. B. Atho!wood’s “Jim Royston nas a. perfect character study. Other good characters were “Benjamin Baxter.’ a detective, Mr. Leo do Chateau; “Mildred Grev,” Miss Nellie Florence ;and “Lucy Wilson,” Miss Alice Deorwyn. The play was well mounted, and the costumes and dresses worn were exceptionally rich.

“THE LITTLE BREADWINNER.” To-ni<rht John A. Campbell’s successful drama, “The Little Breadwinner.” •tviir be played. The title hi itself aimost tells the story of the drama, in which human interest is the predominant motive. In ail the situations chief interest centres around the clever child actress, Queenie Williams, who is said to wire a remarkably fine interpretation of Meg, the little breadwinner. 'The other members of the cast, lucludinw Miss Beatrice Holloway, Miss Lillian Movers, Mr. Herbert Bentley, and Mr. J. B. Athol wood, are also said tobe well placed; while C. R- Stanford will make liis first appearance this season in the character of Joseph- Prior. To-morrow night the staging oi Arthur Shirley’s latest and most successful drama, “The Stepmother,” will conclude the company’s season here.