AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 7 March 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

LOCAL FIXTURES. HIS MAJESTY’S. March 11 to 14—Brough Floming Company. March ‘26.—Cook County Curious Goons. May 11, 12, 13—J. C. AVilliamson. Juno 8,9, 10—J. C. Williamson. August 12, 13, 14—Frank Thornton. U is intended to form a Musical Cornellv Society for Christchurch during tlio coming winter. Tho first piece to bo put into commission will bo “The French Maid.”

Tlio London Pierrots have become as much an institution at Sumner as those in the English sands, (says tlio Canterbury “Times”). I*or cloven weeks now they have been drawing good audiences at the seaside, nud though their season is now drawing to a close the public have by no means tired of them. Mr Harry Primrose, tlio leading mombor of the company is a really clever banjo-player, and tlio other members assist to provide entertainments of merit. Mr Primrose intends to leave for England shortly, where he will gather some fresh artists, and next summor hopes to have Pierrot companies in each of tlio large centres. The Pierrot lias ousted the ancient nigger minstrel from tlio sands of the Old Country, and, though lip lias 110 rival to beat bore, ho promises to be just as popular.

Miss May Beatty, the vivacious young lady from Christchurch who was “brought out” by Mr Tom Pollard, 'appeal’s to have scored an nilmouse success in the pantomime ot “Dick Whittington,” at the Tyne Theatre, at Christinas .time. Jhe “Northern Journal” in noticing her performance says: “Miss May Beatty the Australian recruit to tlio limited force of our ‘principal boys, will bo a sure favorite. She is-fitted in every way for tlio exacting role, and in songs descriptive or sentimental -she was equally happy. In short, Miss Beatty is an ideal Whittington.” The'"Daily Chronicle” says: “The ladies are all remarkably clever. Miss May Beatty, who .iijies the title role, is vivacious and happy; she sings admirably, and infuses into everything she does an energy that carries everybody with her. Miss Beatty has a charming voice.” The “Echo” says : “Amongst all that wild extravaganza, Dick Whittington, Miss May Beatty, moves attended by the faithful Cat. Miss May Beatty is likely to make -a great success with Newcastle audiences. There was 110 doubt as to her reception last night. Her singing is especially pleasing. With a sweet voice, and an attractive presence, she -is ono of tho best principal boys seen in- Newcastle in recent years.” Tho “Northern Athlete” says: “You couldn’t fit id anywhere a more fascinating and dainty representative of the wayward Dick than that handsome comedienne, Miss May Beatty, who combines in an exceptional degree all the requisites for ‘first hoy,’ golden youth, pleasing stage presence, and vocal abilities of a quality seldom found in pantomime. This young lady came to us as a stranger, but- she lias already won her place in the warm regard of all, old and young.” A SHERIDAN CHAT. THE WIDOW O’BRIEN, AND OTHER LADIES.

Said John F. Sheridan, reminiscently, in an interval of “Cinderalla,” when the Baroness Bounder was taking a quiet rest by oscillating gently in a rocking chair behind the scenes: “No, I am not a Jew. I wouldn’t bo ashamed to own up to it if I were. A Hebraic nose doesn’t make a Jew. My nose is rather prominent, I admit; hut so was that of Wellington and other great men. Ahem 1 “Well, I was born in Providence. Rhode Island, U. S. A., and first-play-ed the Widow O’Brien in 1879, my first appearance in Australia in that part being in 1884. “How many times have I been the Widow? Oh, thousands. I haven’t lcopt count; but I have never failed in it 111 any part of tho world. “A similar part is that of Mrs. Goldstein. She was full of typical Jewish sayings and characteristics, but she didn’t seem to be able to' attract the attention that I expected, even of the Jewish people, so I TURNED HER INTO MRS.

DOOLEY, AN IRISHWOMAN, and he transformation has been successful from every point of view. “Then there are Mrs Murphy and Mrs Block; but the dear old Widow O’Brien has clung to me, octopus-like. “And now look here: You dramatic critics always praise me up for my women parts (how I hate the term ‘female impersonations’); and seom to forget that I am ‘quite at home’ as a man. Why I positively revel in male parts. There are Jim Cheese an the ‘Earl and the Girl’ for example: Gaspard in ‘Les Cloches de Corneville,; the Lord Chancellor in ‘lolantho’; Robin Oakapplein ‘Ruddigore’; Laurent in ‘La Mascotte’—oh, yes; I’ve played all of thorn, and yet people WILL HAVE ME IN PETTICOATS all the time. “ ‘Oh,’ they say, ‘You can’t boat Sheridan as a woman; he ought to play nothing else.’ “They wouldn’t have me in this country in such parts. Fortunately, or unfortunately, when ail actor makes a big success in a certain line, ho is pretty well forced to stick to it. The public doesn’t want him in anything else. “Do I admit I am best as a woman? No; I don’t. But the public think so, and I’m working for them. “What about the refined, highclass type of "the woman part? Oh, I never represent that kind. The public don’t care for that from a man. My women are always burlesques. I think it nauseous for a man to go on and do a straight woman part, trying to imitate the little tricks and charms characteristic of a woman —

ATTEMPTING TO DO THE 'HEAL THING/ and failing miserably. I wouldn’t lower myself or my art to do that. It can only really be dono in a humorous way, and by laying on the colors. “Bridget O’Brien? Well, she was taken from life, being built uj,> and colored, of course, for stage purposes. Mrs Block in ‘Christopher Columbus’ ? Yes, she was a few points higher than the Widow, but still a type burlesqued. “And the clothes? Oh, I’m always the genuine woman in that respect. My ladies’ clothes cost a lot of money; and Mrs Block, for example, went about in real silks and satins, and looked ignite handsomo. I reckon'. I’ve abolished the idea that A BED WIG AND A NOSE OF THE SAME HUE are necessary if an actor wants to bo funny in a woman part such as that of Mrs Dooley, Bridget O’Brien, or Mrs Block.

“It’s a queer thing, now, that at nearly every place I’ve been to people come to me and say: ‘Oh, Mr Sheridan, there’s a. woman in this town the dead image of you on the stage. I’ve never seen such a remarkable resemblance before. Did you copy her?” “Of course, my parts are built up from types, and such types exist everywhere.

“Save I many imit.it-: ? Oh, lots of highway robbers have stolen niy plavs and all my ‘business.’ I visited Stratford, near London, on one occasion to see a production I had been told was A COPY OF MINE,

It that time, though the piece was copyright in America, my rights did not extend to England, there being no reciprocity. I went around and sat out one act. Poor old Widow; how she was being knocked about, to bo sure. At the end of the act I introduced myself to the manager. _ “ ‘I won’t claim any fees,’ I said. ‘The name of the piece is the same as mine, but it really isn’t my play.’ “No., I’m not tired of playing woman parts. At the same time, I welcome "a change, and I want the Sydney playgoers to see me in other

’•2 4FT.TA.Ii LETTERS. . (By “Typo.”) j-;,,. : ,h of letter writing should bo ,| |,y every one. To read a ■V : ',l which tho views, objects or jio„a of the writer are clearly and •.'a-Rely expressed is always a plea-,.-e. We quote at'length two letters b : eh we v,ere very glad to receive. Mr. W. J.Miller, Bootmaker, J 67 Jersey Street, Paddington, Sydney, N.S.W., 25th January,

1007. . , . • About a year ago 1 was afflicted ill-! 11 1.* 1 1 rowsiimss and dizziness ~ Vhe heed. There were sharp darting iin: in my shoulder blades and hack. •i v evcsigh.t grow dim and my tongue •ns (■D istantly covered with a heavy ,reeling" hard and tough like eni li t. The pain in my head was so that it scorned as though a heavy vi iijil was pressing on tho crown. .\|'l.ei- '.akin;,' a number of medicines, "•■),■■;■}-i; y as well as those prescribed ~‘doctors, I began to take Warner’s Cure, and, to my astonislimont, I ;.• i■ 11 :i that, when I had taken a few ... i; all symptoms of my complaint Iv.mslml. I can say that my h .|ih, which was completely broken, • creJ, ami I am well once more.” from Mr. J. Graham, Victoria ‘.•treat, Auckland, N.Z., 15th Oelohar, j 006. ■■ 1 had been suffering from bilious •omplaiut for several years, which at i-.;t broke down my digestive system, •ansing great distress and violent vom'liup; spells after eating. I'suffered ieiufully from headaches weekly, with increased violence. Some few months ago I was recommended to try Waricr’s Safe Cure. lam glad I followed die advice, for in a short time after I commenced to take tho medicine my health began to improve, and gradually. but effectively, my sufferings were removed. I am grateful for the wonderful change effected.” Those two letters describe in an excellent manner some of the many symphms of a disordered liver and the curative effect of Warner’s Safe Cure. They cannot fail to interest many others who may be suffering in a similar manner, and to let them know how .'.hey, too, may obtain relief. Warner’s Safe Cure is a specific cure for kidney and liver disorders. By restoring tlie kidneys and liver to health and activity, Warner’s Safe Cure enables the system to expel all uric and biliary waste poisons, the retention of which is the cause of people suffering fiom Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Backache, Sciatica, Indigestion, Amentia, Blood Disorders, Biliousness, Jaundice, Gravel, Stone, Bladder Troubles, General Debility, Sick Headache and Bright’s Disease. Warner’s Safe Cure cures all these disorders speedily and permanently, simply because it is an aid to natural action. It restores vigour to the kidneys and the liver and Nature completes the work. In addition to the regular 5/- and 2/9 bottles of Warner’s Safe Cure, a concentrated form of the medicine is now issued at 2/6 per bottle. Warper’s Safe Cure (Concentrated) is not compounded with alcohol, and contains the same number of doses as the 5/- bottle of Warner’s Safe Cure.