AM AMUSING ENTERTAINMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2585, 20 August 1909, Page 4

AM AMUSING ENTERTAINMENT

“SENSATIONAL BREACH OF PROMISE CASE.” The attention of the Divorce Court at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening was occupied in hearing a claim for £SOOO for breach of promise of marriage, preferred by Miss Carlotta Tart’ott, a leading society;, belle, against Mr Montmorency Kidder, the well-known multi-millionaire, of Gisborne. The entertainment was held under the auspices of the Young Men’s Catholic Club, and the theatre hold a large audience, which was treated to an evening’s hilarious laughter by the excellent manner in which the extravaganza was presented. The fun commenced with the swearing-in of the jury, whose cognomens were perhaps the funniest which have ever sat to try a breach of promise case, or any other case, for that matter. Mr. Timothy Spcopimdike was allowed to take his seat, but Henry Irving was challenged and had to stand down. Dr. J. Clive Collins made a dignified judge, and created amusement by the manner in which he controlled the contending counsel by referring them to Brown v. Jones, section L, part 2, of Law and Contagious Diseases whenever a legal dispute had to be decided. Mr. T. Alston Coleman took the part of counsel for plaintiff, “Mr. William Jurisprudence,” while Mr. Cecil F. Lewis acted as counsel for defendant, “Mr. Methodical Redtape There was quite a stir in* the Court as the plaintiff, who was billed as Miss Jessica Vivian (from Sydney), took her place in the box. Attired in a smart-fitting tailor-made costume, and robed in costly furs, her extraordinary beauty and highly-cul-tured voice created a marked sensation in Court, and straightway- enlisted even the sympathies of _ the irrepressible Court crier, while it was clearly seen thus early in the hearing of the ease by the ardent glances the twelve good men and true bent upon the fair plain-t-iff which way the verdict would go. Mr. M. Doyle’s make-up and- falsetto voice was so good as to deceive nearly everyone in the audience, and some old roues on the front benches found to their chagrin that had been ogling a man instead of tho fair damsel they imagined. Mr. H. H. DeOosta made an ideal defendant, and his witty sallies to the severe cross-examination to which he was subjected provoked much merriment. Mrs. Woods, as the defendant’s aunt, “Mrs. Priscilla Plantagenet,” made a distinct hit. Her make-up was distinctly good, and her acting capital. The other principal parts were as follows: —“Mr. Broadacre” (a retired rancher), Mr. C. JBloore; “Mr. Todricus Sloan Armstrong” (a gentleman rider), Mr. G. H. Sheets; “Mr. Firebrand Tacticianus” (a political agitator), Mr W. H. Payne; “Mr. Circularsaw Hard woodsman” (a ship and mill owner), Mr, R. F. Houlihan. Mr. Phil Sheridan, as the Court Crier, provided a lot of humor, and acted capitally as the heavy comedian of the cast. Many local allusions were introduced, and a’capital evening’s entertainment ended in a verdict for the plaintiff for £4500 While the jury were absent considering their verdict, the Rev. Father Lane thanked the audience for attending in such numbers, and expressed his indebtedness, on be half of the Catholic Young Men’s Club, to Mr. C. F. Lewis and those gentlemen who had assisted him in organising the entertainment. Messrs Vita Bros.’ orchestra added greatly to tho enjoyment of the entertainment by playing several selections.