ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2741, 21 February 1910, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

• “DANDY DICK.” The performance of Sir Arthur AY.I Pinero’s farce-comedy, “Dandy Dick,” by Miss Rosemary Roes and a company of amateur artists, attracted a large and fashionable audience to 'His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, the building being practically; full. The scene of the story is an .English rural district, and the play revolves round the residence of the Dean of St. Marvell’s, the Very Rev. Augustin Jedd, D.D. Owing to the death of her husband, the Dean’s sister, a Mrs/ Georgiana Tidman, comes to take up her residence there. Prior to her arrival, she is pictured by the Dean, a widower, to lliis two daughters, as a fragile, careworn woman, to'whom they must be kind and considerate, but to the astonishment of the Deanery residents, the visitor turns out to be a dashing young widow in the full Huso of life, whose conversation lias a distinctly “racy” fiavor,. and is plentifully interspersed with the slangy sayings or habitues of “the turf.” This is accounted for by tlhe fact that her late busband was an “owner,” and an extensive patron of the “sport of kings."’ Just about the time of the lone Avidow’s arrival, the St. Marvell’s race meeting was to take place, and an otu college chum of the Dean’s, Sir Tristram Harden, Bart., makes his appearance on the scene, having brought lua. rtveehorse “Dandy Dick” to contest one of the races. His meeting with the Dean’s sister results in the mutual recognition of two thorough sports, ami it transpires that they have an equal share in the ownership of Dandy Dick, which had belonged previously to the late Mr. Tidman. 'Sir Tristram is, with the horse, located at the village inn, but an outbreak o{ fire romiers it necessary, on the eve of tli<> races, for him to transfer to the Deanery, ami lor Dandy Dick to be housed in the Deanery stables. This occurs while theDoan’s daughters, to whom .attentions are being paid by two most absurd.military gentlemen, are absent, secretly attending a fancy dross ball with their admirers. The Dean, who is greatly harassed by his liabilities, is horrified at the thought of bis stables being occupied by a racehorse, but eventually his long dormant spurting instincts prevail. He surreptitiously entrusts his butler with a commission to back the horse, in the hope of obtaining relief from his financial troubles, and, fearing that Dandy Dick may have sustained injury by the fire at the inn, he, when all is still, and aided by his butler, mixes a bolus for the horse and proceeds to administer it to Dandy Dick. The butler, however, a sport in his way, lias backed another animal in the race, and when bis master’s back is turned, '.lie adds a quantity of strychnine to the .preparation. Fortunately, tho village constable, with fc'ir Tristram’s groom, is keeping watch over the horse box, and in tho act of administering the bolus, the Dean, whose identitj' is unsuspected, is arrested and lodged in the local look-up. The constable’s wife, a former cook at the Deanery, befriends him, and acquaints bis inquiring relatives, the identity of the* prisoner being still unrevealed to the constable. AYhile being conveyed to the nearest justices by bis ‘captor, the Doan is rescued b~ the sporting fraternity, at the instigation of his sister, to whom they are well known, and is brought home. Eventually, Dandy Dick wins bis race, and a considerable sum is won by Sir Tristram and Airs. Georgiana. The innocent girls also have their “little bit” on, and are enabled to pay :: dressmaker’s bill which has been, a •'worry” to them, while the Dean is also assisted in his financial embarrassments by his sister. The play concludes with the butler’s confession of his dastardly attempt to nobble the horse, the innocent intentions of the Dean are explained, and everything ends happily, Sir Tristram Alardon and Airs. Georgiana agreeing to run “in double harness.”

The production of tlie play was extremely creditable, and the efforts of the artists were at times enthusiastically applauded. As Airs. Georgiana Tidman, Miss Rosemary Rees was extremely well suited, and gave a charming and vivacious impersonation of the sporting widow. She was especially good in the scenes with Sir Tristram Alardon. Aliss Phyllis Lusk*and. Airs. A. F. Kennedy filled the roles of the Dean’s daughters, Salome and Sheba, and each displayed histrionic powers of no mean order. The part of Hannah Topping, tlie constable’s wife, was assigned to Aliss D. Pollen, and although at times hardly word-perfect, she gave a capital interpretation of the role. The part of the Dean was taken by Air. A. F. Kennedy, who scored a decided success. His acting Avas admirable throughout, and lie gave an. excellent impersonation of the sorciy tried church dignitary. Air Alax Jacksoil as 'Sir Tristram Alardon was the sporting baronet to tho life, and was quickly established as a firm favorite with the audience. Air. J. B. Kells had a good deal to do in the role of Blore. the Dean’s butler, and he did it avell, his pompous manner and Cockney accent causing roars of laughter. Air. AV. Hoff, as Noah Topping, the self-important village constable, was responsible for a great deal of merriment. Ho was particularly good in the scene in his oav n kitchen, where the Dean’s relatives come to inquire for tlie missing .cloric. Messrs Fergus Gumming and P. Adair wore each successful in the roles of Major Tarver and Air. Darbev, officers of the —th Hussars, and Air. H. R. Barker acquitted himself very creditably in the part of Hatcham. tille baronet’s groom. Aliss Rees and Aliss Tfcjsk Avore the recipients of handsome bouquets, and at, the close of each act the performers had to bow their aeknoAvledgemonts of tlie applause of the audience.

By no means the least pleasurable feature of the entertainment was the Avork of the Exhibition Orchestra. avlio, under flhe baton of Air. M. L. Foster, contributed the following nrogramme: Overture, “H.1.A1.” : “Minty. Hall.” “Sardonyx,” and selection, “My Mimosa Maid.”

PATHS PICTURES. To-night at His Majesty's Theatre the Pnthc Pictures will arrain appear. A new. series of films will be exhibited, of the usual varied cud up-to-date subjects. King Manuel’s recent visit to England will bo shown, also another .'mpoutant 'historical event, namely. “Napoleon and the Duke d’Fnghien.” will be represented by the aid of the cinematograph. “Broncho Breaking on an Argentine Ranch.” secured by the courtesy of the Santa- Fe Land Company. is n. remarkable specimen of what can be done with wild horses. The management have secured another American Bio-graph picture entitled “Fools of Fate.” a drama showing the awful result of discontent. Other • good ■ pictures include “The Hostage,” a realistic, series of art pictures depicting Schiller’s beautiful poem, “A Tea Garden in Berlin,” “Panther •Hunting in the Isle of Java,” and “The Scar.” There are also- several very entertain-

ing comic films. This programme will be shown to-night and to-morrow night only. On Wednesday another change will be given.