ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2042, 20 November 1907, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“HIS HIGHNESS THE BEY.”

A. genuine itreat to Gisborne playgoers was concluded last night at His Majesty’s Theatre on. the occasion of the performance of “His Highness .tine Bey” by Pollard’s Juveniles. Tlid house was crowded in every part, and “standing room only” w.as in evidence long before tihe time for commencing. The curtain rose on a truly gorgeous spectacle of an Oriental courtyard', and the plot evolves from the fact that the Bey is reported missing from the country, and a substitute is sought, which is eventually found ill the person of a retired German •bandmaster, who .answers a.n adver■tds&menib for a “leader for an insurgent band.” Finding tho task not altogether to his liking, lie finally accepts the vacant position of tho Bey. From this on, there are Humorous escapades and adventures for the reigning monarch, and great .amusement was caused at the diffioult situations in which the Bey finds himself, owing to his lack of knowledge of Eastern customs'. Things are coining to be fairly desperate with him owing to international complications, when the situation. is relieved', and tlio curtain falls on tho return of the .real Bey, and the consequent return of Louie Wartzelheimer to his own country. As Louie AV.artzeGlieinier, ,tho retired bandmaster, Master- Bert Nicholson, who took the part of Blibb in “Bluebell,” made a decided hit, holding the interest of the audience •all the time he was on the st/age. He is .a native of Sydney, N.S.AV., and is without doubt the finest boy comedian that has appeared in New Zealand. He kept his homers convulsed with laughter with his comical aairbics and quaint refreshing humor. .Some of his songs were really .gems in the artistic manner of their rendition. .Miss Cissie O’Keefe was very successful, her beautiful contralto boing heard to great advantage, especially in tlio number “The Orange Blossom Land.” This talented young lladiy is a. native of Christchurch. Miss Minnie Topping ably filled the .role of an American heiress, and her singing and dancing thoroughly deserved the applause they received. Mr. Chas. Albert, as .the Russian- ambassador, was in a congenial pant, .and his dancing in the nautical scene was a revelation. The other members of the company filled til© minor positions in .a very satisfactory manner. Scenery amid staging left nothing to ■be desired l , some of the scenes being particularly brilliant. The lighting effects were excellent, and tlio cinematograph effect in one of the dances was most fantastic, and fairly brought down tho house. The orchestra was again .a. feature of the entertainment. The company lias had a. most successful season ill Gisborne, and Mr. Pollard is so delighted with the in anner in. which it- has been received that- he is endeavoring to make arrangements for a return visit shortly, probabltr ibout the end of February.

MELBOURNE, Nor. 19. Tlie booking for Madiame Melba's first concctr.t was a .record. Many ■waited all night to secure (tickets. * CH'BiISTCHUiRiaH, Not. 19. George Hsoman B'arnies, manager of Merymell and- Gunn’s 'Dramatic Co., mas fined £lO this morning for overcrowding tike theatre on ith© November 8.