ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2483, 23 April 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

•’THE DOWN EXPRESS.” • Ihere, was a. large audience in His Ala jest y s 1 lieat-re last evening. when a local dramatic company under the. supervision of Air. R.. H. Chirk produced the American melodrama. “The Down Express,’ in aid of the funds of the City Band. As produced last evenmg the performance must be judged from the amateur point of view, 'and it is safe to say that it compared more than favorably w;th the usual amateur performance in Gisborne. The persons in the cast entered into their work earnestly ;«they spoke with expression, and there was a pleasant absence of that stiffness in movement so common to amateurs when on the stage. Altogether Air. Clark is‘to oe complimented on the way the play was produced and mounted. In dealing with the east, the work of Aliss Alay Third as Pearl Court!and was undoubtedly the best. Aliss Adel la Jones made a good Laura Courtland. Aliss Esther Kelson was au excellent Poaehblossom, a 75001" girl. Mr. Alfred Rico was a fair Ray Trafferd. Air. IT. Ingram made a good Joe Snorkey. and Air. Sydney Tate an excellent street Arab known as Bermudes, He contributed two songs. Air. Harold Sawyer presented a very good character study- of an old ling known as Judas. Other characters that were well filled were Bykc, a scheming villain—Air. J. Nicholas, and Airs. Van Damn;—Aliss Doris Dunning. The minor parts were Edward Demilt —Air. AY. Roberts. George Windel—Air. J. Williamson, Peanuts—Aliss Leah Spurd!e, Popsy and Lilly white (with songs) —Misses F. and T. Nicolas, and Aliss Earlie—-Aliss Gladys File. Mr. J. Lloyd impersonated a servant, and Air. J. Hay a signalman. The scene where Snorkey is placed by the villain before the express train was so well staged that the audience was completely carried away. During the intervals a large orchestra under the baton of Air. M. L. Foster played some good musical items.