ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3532, 24 May 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE PAHLLIPS BENEFIT FUND-

A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE BY THE RICE DRAMATIC ' COMPANY.

Despite the inclement state of the weather' last night, there was a satisfactory attendance at His Majesty's Theatre, when the Rice Dramatic Company revived the nautical drama, “Sons of the Sea,” in aid of the Phillips benefit fund. It must be admitted that the popular company gave a highly, creditable interpretation of the well-known drama. The leading roles of Cyril Melton and Ruth Madew were well sustained by Mr. T. Holdswoirth and Miss Rachel, Rice respectively, a;nd the work of this pair had much to do with the success of the performance. Mr. J. Nicolas had a thankless task to perform as Arthur Pioynet, and the able manner in which he interpreted the role reflected credit upon his ability as an actor. The reappearance of Mr. R. H. Clark was hailed with much satisfaction, and his able delineation of the character of Christopher Cripps loft nothing to be desired. The nart of Abel Cole, the man. who “likes to ck> good when he can,” was well taken by Mr. A. Rice- Miss Esther Dalroy did good / work as Madge Wynward, the pretty girl “with whom the world has gone wrong,” as did Miss C. May as Dame Lowrie, the landlady of the Rose and Crown. The minor characters were well sustained, and the mounting and staging were well up to the high stain, dard set by the company. The whole performance went with a swing tlmt spoke of able stage management, while the liberal applause' bestowed testified to, the approval with which, the production was received. Speaking to a Times reporter after the performance, Mr. F. I. Dame]], hon. secretary to the Phillips Benefit Fund, stated that the performance, despite the meagre attendance, should net a return of about £7o.' The number of tickets sold greatly outnumbered the audience which attended. Altogether the performance given by the Rice Dramatic Company . more than pleased the audience, and it was clear'that the popular company had lost none of their popularity. tne play was well staged and mounted, white the effect of the performance was greatly enhanced by the capable manner in which the incidental music was supplied by a small but efficient orchestra. PATHE PICTURES. A complete change of programme will he submitted by the Fathe Picture Company at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening, and the merit or the performance should leave little to be desired- The star- drama is a play by the Ciries Co., entitled “Between lire and Love,” which is a splendid love storv with fine effects, showing the eruption of Mt. Etna and the plight of the terrified peasants before the flowing streams of burning lava. “Aunt Huldah, the Matchmaker, is a truly enjoyable comedy by the V itagraph Co., in which the warring spirit between the Northerners and Sontherners at the time of the American Civil War is. brought out into hold relief.' “Pull for the Shore, Sailor ” is* a fine nautical drama by the Edison Co., which shows the dangers undergone by fishermen, who “go down to the sea in ships.” A charming example of color cinematography is shown in “Spring Time’s Flowers, which in fancy takes the onlooker to many parts of England and Southern France A fine sporting film is provided in “Buffalo Hunting in Cambodia ” while the industrial, scenic, and comic subjects included make un an evening’s excellent entertainment. This attractive programme will be presented for this evening only, but a change of programme will be submitted at the matinee to-morrow afternoon and to-morrow night No pictures will be shown on Monday OI Tuesday evenings.