JOHN F. SHERIDAN COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1021, 14 October 1903, Page 2

JOHN F. SHERIDAN COMPANY.

“ A TRIP TO CHICAGO.”

At tbo Tkeatro lioynl last ovouing a largo and appreciative audience greeted the Sheridan Company in their second production “ A Trip to Chicago," a bright and spaikliug musical comedy, which was oxcellcntly interpreted. Mr J. F. Shoridan appeared as Johanna Murphy, a character in which ho has won renown throughout the colonies. His make-up as tho Irish mother-in law was immouse, and those of the audionco who have had the pleasuro of seeing Mr Sheridan as Widow O’Brien wero at a lost to say which of the two impersonations they liked the best. Whilst the popular comedian was on tho stage there was not a dull moment, and not a point was missed that would add to the success of the piece. Mr Sheridan’s BODg, “ The Bright Littlo Glass,” was an excellent number, whilst in the loguo, “Romeo and Juliet,” witk™Miss Mavis, ho fairly excelled himself. Miss Celia Mavis as Marie Parke again appeared to groat advantage, and won the golden opinious of the audionee for her singing and acting, the number “ I Love But You ” being artistically rendered. Miss Heba B.&dow acted in a winsorno and able manner as Lulu Murplxy which character suited hor admirably. Wi>h Mr Sydney C. Carden, who appeared as Charlie Bleotor (a London Johnnie), Miss Barlow played with spirit and abandon, and the audience were not slow to mark their appreciation of their efforts. The duets “ I've Noticed It” and “Different Ways of Making Lovo ” were excellent numbers contributed by Miss Barlow and Mr Cardon. As Benjamiu Brewster, Mr Fred Wentworth played to advantage, whilst Mr J. R. Needham gave a fine, impersonation of Major Tifno, of tho Noble Six Hundred. Mr Thomas Curran, who was suffering from a severe cold, appeared as Herbert Parke, and was at some slight disadvantage on that account. Mr Bert Hermann caused great merriment as the Murphy’s French waiter, and Miss Stella Thebaud gavo a dignified impersonation of the aristocratic Mrs Parke. As on the oponing evening, tho appearance of Little Gulliver waß the signal for a storm of applause, and ho was oncored again and again, the bright little fellow cheerfully responding orj oach. occasion. The Criterion lady dancers again delighted the audience, Miss Rose Massey especially being in demand. The comedy was beautifully staged, the musiq was excellent, and the piece was heartily enjoyed by the: audience from thg rfee to the fall of the curtain.

“ NAUGHTY NANCY.”

To-night the above musical comedy, which has achieved a big auocess ia London, will be presented by Mr Sheridan and company. The pieoe opens at the school for young ladies kept by Mrs Sliggs. Two of the scholars, Nancy (Mrs Sliggs’ niece) and Lady Barbara Dawn (daughter of tho Eart of Aycon), are in love, Nancy with Barbara’s brother, Lord Valentino, and Barbara with her brother’s friend, Maurice Lostrango. The lovers meet in tho school grounds and arrange to elope on motor cars. Their plans are interfered with by the intrusion of the Earl of Aycon and an American widow, Nepbele Noggs. The / oarl desires to wed the widow, but she determines only to marry him if she fails to entico his son. Josiah Sliggs turns up, and having been separated from Mrs Sliggs displays great terror at the thought of having to meet her again. Also, tha police are on his track for having, as a company promotor, ‘‘ been unfortunate ” with £SOOO, of the Earl of Aycon’s money. Sliggs’ niece, Nancy, comes to the: rescue and disguises Josiah in a dress of her aunt’s and passes him off as a professor of moral philosophy, in which assumed character he has to deliver a lecture to tbo schoolgirls as the first of his duties. This leads to a great deal of comical business. Finally the young lovers, the old Earl and the widow, Josiah Sliggs and Mrs Sliggs, don motor costumes of exactly the same pattern, and a general elopement takes place, everyone being mated with tha wrong person. After a good deal of tangle of a humorous nature, a series of laughable situations leads to satisfactory explanations all round. Mr John F. Sheridan, as the hunted company promoter, Josiah Sliggs, gives one of those riehly humorous impersonations for tfhich he is justly noted. He is a host in himself—a never-failing antidote to seriousness. Particularly funDy is the clever comedian's work in his disguiso as Matilda Jones, the lady professor. Unlike any of his former female creations this one is every bit as laughable and clever. His lecture to the young ladies an “ Man ” is worth going a long way to hear. Little Gulliver will again be a feature of the entertainment. Among the musical numbers may be mentioned “ Motor Car,” “ Splendid Force the Police,” “ Identity,” “ Take Care Little Fish,” “ I Trust You Still,” “ Thou Art M.y World,” ” The Ladies’ Orchestra,” “ What Was I To Do.” The Criterion ballet also put in some useful work