ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2501, 14 May 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

‘‘THE DAIRYMAIDS.’ ’

The crowded 'audience that filled His Majesty’s Theatre last evening was treated to some delightful musical comedy, when Air J, O. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company etaged Paul Rueben’s play. “The Dairymaids.” The music is lighter, more animated, and more tuneful than that of “The Merry Widow,” but it does not possess the quality of Lehar’s work. Still there is* more freshness, more frolic, and more gaiety in “The Dairymaids,” and the audience last evening was quick to give it warm appreciation. The play possesses only sufficient plot to connect the music together, and gives the ladies of the company ample scope to. appear to advantage. The first scene chows Brudeneil’s model dairy, where all the" girls are engaged in farm work. Here, through the absence of her ladyship, too much love-making goes < n, and the girls are sent off to learn physical culture at Ali-ss Pyecliaso’s seminary. The second act shows the gyinua..,i.,.. of the seminary, where tlie girls are moot fascinatingly uniformed in pale b.ue, and learn boxing, fencing, ball punching, club swinging, and all the various specialities of modern calisthenics. The lovers of two of Lady Brudenell’s girls, however, get into the seminary disguised as intending scholars, and love-mak-ing continues, while the audience is kept in roars of laughter at the eccentricities of the two men. The scene also allows the introduction of the

“Saadow Girls,” six handsomely attired young ladies, who display their*musoukir development to the waltz song. “The Sandow Girl,” sung by Miss Fanny Dango. Tlie two principal dairymaids are Winifred (Aliss Florence Young) and Peggv, her sister (Aliss Fanny Dango). Aliss Young’s fine soprano voice was again a feature, and last evening was heard at its best in the ballads “Wild Rose” and “.Somebody,” and in the lighter song with chorus, “Over the Country Stile.” Aliss Fanny Dango fully realised all that was promised in her name. She made a winsome Peggy, danced with subtle grace, and acted with great charm. Her song “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor,” was daintilj* sung, and a double encore was demanded. Air. Andrew Higginson was in his element ns the sportive, lackadaisical Sam Brudencll, and his clever repartee and droll comedy work kept the audience in the best of humor. The part has no solos, but innumerable duets of tlie burlesque order, and each was honored with a recall. Air. Reginald Roberts, the tenor of the company, had only a small part, as Frank Brudenell. hut he filled the role well. Air. AY. S. Percy was intensely amusing in the part of Joe Alivens, bis quick wit, wonderful agility, and knoek-about dancing kept the house in a simmer of laughter whenever he was within view. His

“poacher’s” dnet with All*. Higginson was a catchy variety item, and his number, “The' Sea- Serpent?’ assisted bv a deftly arranged ballet was decidedly acceptable. Air. Claude Bantock made a good Dr. O’Byrne: Air. D. O’Connor was a good Captain Laverion, and sang a sweetly pretty lullaby song; while Aliss Connie Alilne was a vivacious Eliza, and Aiks Georgie Alusgrove a stately Lady Brudenell. “The Dairymaids,” while not vividly mounted, was staged with great completeness. Idle color values were subdued yet all in keeping, the dresses auc ■costumes being all on the modem plan The large orchestra, under Air. Howard Carr, was again heard with pleasant effect in the melodies, and the details of the staging, under the supervision of Air. AA’ybercl Stamford, were perfect. To-night the Royal Comic Opera Co. will appear for the last time during the present season in “The Girls of Gottenberg.” This opera- is said to be equal, if not superior, to any light musical creation the company has staged. Patrons may purchase tickets during the day at Air. Aliller’s. BURNS-JOHNSON PICTURES. In Elis Majesty's Theatre next Monday and Tuesday. Air. Harry Keesing will, by special arrangement with Air. H. D. Alclnto'-h. exhibit a magnificent series of biograph films of the recent Burns-Johnson contest. Seasons have just concluded in the four centres, and on every occasion were greeted by immense and enthusiastic -audiences. The pictures are said to bo absolute perfection as regards fight pictures. Every incident, including “corner spells,” is shown, and those who have read the published accounts of the encounter will be easily able to follow the kihematograph reproduction. The new. projecting machine is in charge of the. most skilled, operator; a complete electric lighting outfit is used, and Air. Harry Keesing, representative for Air. H. 1). Alclntosh., who witnessed the contest, will graphically describe the various incidents. *