MR GEORGE STEPHENSON'S ENGLISH MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1359, 20 January 1905, Page 2

MR GEORGE STEPHENSON'S ENGLISH MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

••THE SKIRT DANCER." Another vast; audienoe last night greeted this capable combination in their second production in Gisborne, when Trotere’s bright and brilliant musical comody, “ The Skirt Dancer," was stßgod, The mounting of this ohi.rming comedy was on a scale of magnificonco, the dike of which has not hitherto been attempted in tbiß town. The second act presented a dazzling blnze of brilliance, and reminded many of a Drury Lane pantomime. Miss May Beatty, an Flo, Carrnthers, the Frivolity actress, was in excellent form and voice, and gave a capriciously dashing and artistio pourtrayal thereof. Miss Beatty’s singing in the second act with Mr Bauri was one of the features of the evening. Mr Edward Lauri’s Sir Benjamin Mapleton was a most unique performance, which loft his auditors feeling infinitely bettor for tho mirth and merriment provided them by this renowned artist, Mr Lauri’s dancing throughout the performance being admiraed by all. Miss Alice Nixon, who has a graceful stage demeanor, made a most dainty and tricky Lady Charlotte Dean, a part which becomes this clovor artist to a nicety. Her spirited dancing and her perfectly clear enunciation gained for her the hearty plaudits of all present, Mr McNaughton created a furore as Lord Harry, the Dude, and proved himself to be a true artist capable of supplying the ability this role demanded. Mr Will Bovis had a congenial part as Teddy, and throughout tho evening was the life of the show. Special mention should bo made of his successful rendering of the laughing song, which merited for him a triple encoro. Miss Ada Page made a stately and majestic Lady Parkton, whilst Miss May Garatang filled the part of Mabel with charming simplicity, her singing in tho duet with Mr Fred Twitchin evoked a decided encore. The Gibson Girls may be said to be the best dancers who have yet appeared before a Gisborne audience. The remaining characters of the case wore ably sustained, and good work was executed by the powerful and well-balanced chorus.

THE DAHDY DOCTOR The third pieou in the Stephenson repertoire will be staged to-night, when the above laughing success will bo produced for the first time, and only time, heye. “ The Dandy Doctor ”is described as “ a musical cocktail.” It is frankly announced as being produced for laughing purposes only, with, it is claimed, more laughs to the square inch than any other modern production. The dressing and mounting will be on the same scale of magnificence and completeness that has oharacteri.eed Hr Stephenson’s other pieces. To-morrow night the season will terminate with a special bill, which will include the latest English farcical success ** Jfone but the Bravo ” and the world famed musical play without words “ The , Duel in the Snow."