ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2710, 14 January 1910, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

POLLARD’S AIERRY AIIDGETS

The unique and novel entertainment provided by the “Merry Midgets” atracted another large audience to His Majesty’s Theatre last night, and genuine expressions of approval were heard on all sides of the excellence of the fare provided. As on the opening night, the first half of the programme was of the “variety” order, and again it contained many excellent items. It was practically a change of programme, but three of the items given on the first night were repeated by desire. These were the original duet and dance “Yankee Doodle,” by Lily Grimshaw and Mollie King; a most striking and effective ballet entitled “Sleigh Bells”.; and the action song and dance “Let me Sleep,” by Mollie King, Lily Grimshaw. and the Midgets in chorus. The remaining turns were, quite up to{ the standard of the previous evening’s performance, each of the juvenile artists rqpeating her success achieved on that occasion. Lily Grimshaw, a tiny comedian of wonderful ability, received welldeserved applause for her singing of the comic items “Knock your heads together,” and “Look all wrong.” and her execution of the accompanying eccentric dances was very skilful. A most attractive turn was the Irish Heel danced by Mollie McCabe, a Commonwealth gold medallist, and in a most original acrobatic song and dance, entitled “Orange Blossoms,” Ethel and Dot Royal, in addition to excellent singing, displayed tumbling abilities of no mean order. Other novelties introduced were the club-swinging and skipping-rope dance cleverly performed by Dot Ireland, and the illustrated eoon song' “Sun Bird.” A most realistic seaside scene was presented in conjunction with the wondergraph, the Midgets, after having contributed a taking chorus entitled “Come, take a swim "in my ocean,” being seen by means of a most ingenious arrangement disporting themselves in the surf, with breakers apparently dashing on to the stage. The scene was an extremely pretty one, and was applauded very heartily. The. action song and ballet “The Lassie from Lancashire,” was nicely rendered, and here again the Midgets had ample opportunity to display their acrobatic powers. The other turns in a lengthy first part were chiefly songs and dances, and were very well received. The nautical patriotic scena “Nelson, or the Battle of Trafalgar,” was put on again for the second (part of tine programme,, and a faithful interpretation was given. Lily. Grimshaw showed considerable versatility by the. manner in which sQie took the part of Lord Nelson, and Nellie Brady and Lady Hamilton, and Dot Royal as Captain Hardy Allied their roles in an eminently satisfactory manner. During the

evening some most amusing cinematograph films were projected on, the screen, that of the “Magic Carpet” being an intensely- funny film. Taken all round, the performance was in reality an entertainment. Its charm lies cliiefly in its variety and originality, and the marked ability of the little ones has to be seen to be properly appreciated. There will bo an entire change of programme each evening, and a matinee is announced for to-morrow afternoon.