HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1643, 9 January 1906, Page 3

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

MACK’S NEW PICTURES, Thoro was a tremendous crush at the loors of the Theatre la3t night when Mr MoDonnott in'rodaced his fine living pie;uro entsttaininont. The largo theatre was filled t) overflowing, miny being unable to gain admission. The chief picture was, of course, that of the Now Zealand footballers and England, which a oused ths audienso to on in'.cnso pitch of enthusiasm. A great maoy other fine pictures wero shown, “ The Escaped Luoa'ic” evokiog roars of laughter. The tunnel tragedy at Mortsbam proved a thriiling affair, and many other excellent pictures wore introduced. A mest rornailiable comic proluct ; on was that of 11 A Torribls Night.” The coaeoption of this picture and tho processes provide much fun, and cause anyone to marvel at the clover way in which tho public arc catered for nowadays. The eooiciy entertainer, Professor Scott, gave a very entertaining interlude wilh his funny vontriloquial figures, Bongs and cooundiums. The whole entertainment was a great success and to-night there should again be e crowdod audience. THE J.P.—THERE AND BACK. The production of tho J.P. to-morrow, Thursday, and the following evenings, should unquestionably prove one of the moßt significant epochs amongst the many theatrical enterprises of Gisborne. With tuch a brilliant combination of playors aa is said to compose the personnel of tbo Grand Thratro Comedy Coy , an inttrpritation of the highest excollenco may bo expected. Indoed tho reputation which has prrerded tho Coy. leaves no doubt in the mind on this score. The booking alroady recorded for both tho “J.P” and “There and Back " is ample testimony that the advent of the company has won tho unbounded

ourlosity of the Gisborne communit Miss Florence Lloyd is a oolobrity wboi fame as a boy impersonator is unrivalle in tho world, .vbilst Mr J. J. Dallaß is notable personage whose stage life stand jn a unique and iuteres'iog reoord. Ho i 3d principal oomodian in *• The J.P.” We sd born in Soho Square, and as a boy surrop al titiously aooepted an engagement to sin alto with Mr Ohristio’s Minstrel?. 0; being brought back and sottlod in biuiues by his father, ho ultimately broke awaj 6 with tho parental consent and joined the 8 neighboring opora company at tho Albam--0 bra Theatre, where Mdmo. Emily Soldonc 0 was tho principal singer. Mr Dal as has " tho distirot on of being tbo only aotor who 6 ha? over played womon’s parts at tbo !' London Gaioty Theatre. In the palmy days when Nellio Farrrn, Kate Vaughan, Ed' 3 ward Royce, Bird Edward Terry were in ’ tho east ot the “ Forty Thieves,” Mr Dal'a? ' was Widow Cogia, and in " Alladin ” ho was tho Cook. In later days ho figured prominently at tho Avenue, whore be was the Marquis to “ Polydoro Poopart ” of Arthur Roberts, and wroto the muoh-sung duet, “ Tho Dayo when we wore Young.” This aufchorabdp led to tbo perpetration ol an original farce for tho Avenue, entitled “ A Warm Recept'on.” Anotbor piece to wbioh the comedian plaood his namo was 11 His Only Cou*,” for tho London Gaiety. Similarly in aftor years Mr Dallas wrote and stage-managed throe elaborate pantomhnos for Manchester, two for tho Pricce’s Theatre, and ono for tho Palaco. After taking part in the “ Brioa-Brao ” opera at the Lyric, Mr Dallas joined tbo Savoy Company for a long engagement, playing the chief comedian’s part in 1 The NautchGirl." Thatoast included Mr Frank Thornton. Following this, Dallas playod all theimporlant comedian's parts in most of tbo Gilbert and Sullivan operas at the Savoy, end produced the 11 Snow Mon,” a fairy opera at the Lyoeum, and appeared in a round of faroial comedies prior to joining Messrs Meynfll and Gunn’s Company for Australia. Mr Dallas has written thirty-two songs for tbo leading hall and variety theatres, and in other ways has proved his gifts apart from the very serious duty of playing the fool in farce.