MR GEO. STEVENSON'S ENGLISH COMEDY COMPAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1680, 22 February 1906, Page 2

MR GEO. STEVENSON'S ENGLISH COMEDY COMPAY.

1 BILL ADAMS’ AT HIS MAJESTY'S

The popularity of Mr George Ste phenson’s Musical Comedy Company was illustrated by the crowded audience which assembled last night to witness the opening performance at His Majesty’s Theatre. “ Bill Adams” was the piece produced; it is not a connected story such as would be thought essential under the old condi*— tions of entertaining, but has a complete charm throughout—sparkling music, fascinating dancing, and breezy humor ; each item being a meritorious and distinct feature in itself, and the whole making a delightful extravaganza. Of course Mr Edward Lauri, as the ’ero of Waterloo, the famous “ Bill Adams,” was a host in himself, and at every turn he kept the large audience simmering in mirth, and his dancing was a great feature. In tte various disguises he was very clever and very amusing. He made a great hit with the topical song “Bull and Bush,” but his burlesque turns with Miss Beatty, and singing turns with Miss Alice Pollard, were also most successful. Misses Beatty and Pollard each received a very cordial reception on their reappearance before Gisborne friends. Miss Beatty ably took the part of Margot, tho maid of tho inn, and her numbers “Irish Molly ” and “iomrny is a Dandy” received voci-. ferous encores. Miss Beatty looked as winning as over, her dancing and sieging boing excellent, and altogether she made of the part of Margot something to bo remembered with great pleasure. Tho tuneful ballad “Mood, Moon, Moon,’’ by Miss May Garstong was a feature of that young lady’s

highly successful share in the performance. The character of the gallant lover, the Duke of Broughton, was taken with good effect by Miss Harold Reeves, whose pleasing baritone voice won him much appreciation for his singiog. Mias Alice Pollard rang well and acted nicely in the part of Maiguorite. Miss Roland Watts-Phillips, os Lady Bing Barr, entered ckverely into the humor of the’situations, and shared well in tbe merits of tha burleEque. Mr Charles McNaughton, as Major Brussel Sprouts, caused muoh mirth with his eccentricities, comicalities, aad singing. The Bovis Bros, helped materially in the fun making. An old fovorite was Mr Charles Albert, who did Borne clever dancing, and in other ways proved his capabilities a 3 an entortairor. Thera woro many Gao ohoruoos, aud tbe Rosea

ough their parts very -uounliog of the piece Wbb i , the military sotnes especially *oo spectacle, every attention .s being given. Thero was an .jiionally good orohestra, theorohostra -ud chorus being under Mr Alfred Hill, R.O.M.L.

“ THE SKIRT DANCER.” To-night Mr Stephenson’s Company will appear in their eucoessful musioal play, ” The Skirt Dancor.” This piece has proved an enormous suceoas everywhere, delighting ovowdad audionoes, who roar with laughter at tho many comical situat'ons presented du-ieg tho play. This comedy has been eo vastly improved that this, the second edition, is almost a new piece. Mr William Bovia will sing his famous laughing sang. As the dude, “ Lord H wry,” Mr Ohaclos MoNsughan will again he soen in his laughable oharaoter skstoh- Mr Edward Lturi will, by special request, apnoar in his briliiant " Danoo of Nations,” and tho Rosa Quartette will danoo “ The Champagne Billet.