ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2543, 2 July 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ALLAN HAMILTON’S COMPANY“QUEEN OF THE N±gHT. The large audience that crowded HE Majesty’s Theatre last evening were able to enjoy a melodrama of . mgn standard, when Mr. Allan Hamilton s Dramatic Company presented the sensational play, in four acts, “Queen M the Night.” The drama, as the xit.e sug-csts, deals with life in fast society. but°while the plot followed the memdramatic path, it was most reasonable and enjoyable. Comedy was the strong note of the play; but there was an abundance of sensational situations, two attempted murders and shipwreck, and surely no audience could wish for more upon one bill of fare. Mr. George Cross was again at home in the part of the hero, Ralph Featherstone. and acted with dignity and power. Mr. Cross has already become a favorite with Gisborne theatregoers, and he won rounds of applause again last evening. Miss Ada Guildford had a heavy part as Paulina, the leader of a society smart set, in which she was styled “the queen of the night.” and Miss G.uiklford acquitted herself wellHer scenes with Mr. Power were acted with strength and conviction, and she thoroughly pleased the audience. Miss Rosemary Rees had a nice part, as Maud Sylvester, which she peurtrayed with great charm and daintiness. The vole afforded ample scope for Miss Rees’ talents, and she made the most of every opportunity. Mr. Wilton Power was the villain. Philip Stoneleigh. and acted well. Mr. Wilton Welch surmlied the comedy, as Adolphus Briskett, -and with Mr. Ellison as Old Briskett, kept the audience in the best of humor. Miss- Maud Chetwynd played Nitty White, with songs and dances, and Miss Clietwynd’s excellent work as a- dancer requires no praise. The other principal characters were David Pentreath (Mr. J. Hesford), and Mrs. Briskett, -nourtrayed by Miss May Hesford. The scenery was again good, the scenes showing the attempted murder in a train and -a shipwreck at sea being most realistic. To-niglit the company will produce the famous altruistic play, “A Massage from Mars.” The fame of the play is so widespread and the moral of the story so elevating that it needs no introduction. The booking for tonight has been exceptionally heavy, and the management anticipate a crowded house. POLLARD’S JUVENILE OPERA. COMPANY. In these days of social problem plays and too suggestive comedy bearing tiie trade mark of Paris, it is gratifying to be able to chronie’e the success of a musical comedy made in the Dominion. “The Gay Hussars,” -with which the Pollards, as they are familiarly called, will inaugurate an all too brief season on Wednesday, was written and composed in Auckand by the popular- musi-cal-medico, Dr. De Clive Lowe, whose pen name is “Thomas Humphries.” It was first produced by amateurs under the title of “The Tea Girl,” and met with rather a. mixed reception. Mr. Pollard saw it, and recognising its possibilities, secured the rights, and bringing his 30 years’ of experience as a stage manager into use, lie altered its construction to such an extent that it is not only the most popular piece in bis repertoire, but playgoers who remember the -oO odd pieces that this manager has staged in this colony, declare that it absolutely the best thing lie has ever done. -Everything used in the production was made in New Zealand, so that from beginning to cud it is entirely home-made.