ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2709, 13 January 1910, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

POLLARD’S MERRY MIDGETS

The satisfactory house which greeted the opening performance of Pollard’s Merry Midget Company at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening was treated to an, entertainment quite out of the beaten track of ordinary theatrical performances. The Midgets, consisting of a. dozen little ladies, were merry indeed, and there was not a dull moment from the rise of the curtain. Novelty and variety were the outstanding features of the performance, and the sweet singing, clever acting, and> graceful dancing of the youthful performers not only pleased, but surprised and delighted the audience. The first part of the performance consisted of a musical melange in which ballets, songs' duets, dances, tableaux vivants, and moving pictures followed each other in rapid succession. Nothing more beautiful could be imagined than the Canadian scena and snow ballet “Sleigh Bells,” in which Mollie King took the solo. The effects produced on the falling snow by the limelight were beautiful in the extreme, and a repetition ofi the ballet was imperatively demanded. Another delightful turn was the bathing scene and ballet, in which Ethel and Dot Royal sing “How Would You Like to Float Me?” At the conclusion of this, ballot a lovely scene is presented by means of the wondergraph, in which the Midgets are depicted sporting themselves like dolphins in the breakers on a sandy beach. Mollie King’s fine voice and distinct enunciation gave the audience rare pleasure in “People Who Live in Glass Houses” and “Don’t Take Me Home.” Lily Grimsliaw proved herself a clever comedian, and her Irish comic eccentricities, “Bridget McCue” and “The Wedding of Barney and Bedalia,” gave her scope to display her exceptional ability as an actress and some charming dancing. “My Indiana Queen” and the Indian song and dance “Ki-Yo” were a couple of most acceptable items. This little lady has a \pleasing voice, and is a clever little danseuse. Her Scottische clog was a wonderful performance for so young a performer. Ethel and Dot Royal were responsible for an entertainment quite out of the ordinary. Their duet, “Arrah Arabia,” was niceIv sung, while their clever_ acrobatic performances were worth going a long way to see. Dot Ireland’s Dutch speciality and clog dance and Mollie McCabe’s Irish reel were charmingly danced. The action song, “Let- Me Sleep,” bv Lily Grimshaw. Mollie King, and the Midgets was a highly acceptable number, ’and was loudly encored. Great amusement was caused by Dot Ireland’s exhibition of ball punching, the little lady side-stepping and shadow-sparring in quite Johnsonian style. On being recalled she gave a clever display of club swinging. ’Dn, oh, Antonio” by Katie Brennan was warmly received by the audience, as was also the newspaper turn and boxing act “Shake Hands and be Friends bv Ethel and Dot Geissler were for their Spirited duet and dance “Tattle Tell-Tales/' The first part of the programme concluded with the Dutch song and ballet, “Lutie,” by Lily Grimshaw and the Midgets, and the ballet met with such favor that it had to be repeated. “Nelson, or the Battle of Trafalgar” was the title of the nautical scena with which the performance concluded. The scene opened, with the_ stage representing the deck of Nelson's ship_ “The Victory.” great amusement being caused by the get-up of the Midgets as “old salts” of Nelson’s time. _ Mollie King, as Tom Maintop, sang “Tlie_ Midshipmite” effectively, the song being acted, and “'the poor little midshipmite” carried aboard by his boat’s crew after bav_ ing been shot by the “Rooshians.” Miss King also danced a hornpipe splendidly in this act. The concert- on the deck is suddenly interrupted by the entrance of Nelson (Lily Grimshaw) and Lady Hamilton (Nellie Brady). After Nelson lias taken a touching farewell of Lady Hamilton, ho makes a stirring appeal to his men and sends out his historical signal, “England expects that every man will do his duty.” After his impassioned appeal to his c r ew Nelson lia s a vivid dream of England future greatness. and by; means of the cinematograph a striking procession of Dreadnotights and destroyers is shown passing down the Thames. Then the din of battle breaks out, and amid the roar of the guns and the sound of falling spars Nelson receives his death wound, and takes a pathetic leave of Hardy (Dot Royal). The scena was mounted with that attention to stage management which has made the Pollards famous Australasia, and the effective costuming, lighting, and grouping of the youthful actors made a most attractive and striking spectacle. The applsfise that broke out at the conclusion of the performance was spontaneous and long continued, and thoroughly testified to the audience’s appreciation of a bright and novel entertainment.

A word of praise is due to Miss Adela Ireland for the capable manner in which she carried out the duties; of stage manageress. There was also a gentleman present on whom the limeliglit did not- fall full, but who nevertheless played no unimportant part in making the performance such a conspicuous success. This was - Mr Joseph M. Somers, the musical director, whose incidental music and accompaniments proved him to be a pianist of a great deal more than average ability. There will be a change of programme this evening, and judging by the enthusiasm manifested last night, there should he a large attendance to witness tliis unique combination.