ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2253, 27 July 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

H. R. ROBERTS.. No one who- loves a good plav can fail to be interested in the first appearance to-night of Mi-. H. It. Roberts in the latest London success, "the Prince Chap.” The fact that New Zealand theatre-goers are being presented with this attraction before it lias appeared in Australia is mainly due to the fact that Mr. Roberts is a New Zealander, and that, as a matter of sentiment, he desired to he first seen in this country-in-the piece in which‘ho lias niado his name. “The Prince Chap” is a, comedydrama in three acts, andopens in the studio of a sculptor named Wilham I eyton. -Through the sudden death of one of his models Pevton is left in charge of an orphan girl five years ot age. The tragedy quickly develops humorous aspects, and,, with the aid of Runion, an amusing manservant, and Puckers, an eccentric o' 1 ’ 1 , some excellent cornedv is evolv«L The feature of the play is that the little girl (Claudia) grows up as tlie play progresses, and the part is taken by a new girl in each act. In the first little Vera Huggett, a child lour years old, is seen as the heroine, and her acting is described as*not mig short of-wonderful. Then, in the second act, little Bervl Yates, eight, -assumed the part, and she too is said to be remarkable gifted'/,'As the woman Claudia is played by Miss Justina Vayne, who played the part originally m New York. A fine love s f?r.V results frotn Peyton’s guardians''l!; , of , Claudia. Ho had been eumged to marry Alice Travers (Miss Vera lieinoe), who believes that Pevton is the real- father of tho, child. A“° rola-tions between Pe.vtbn, and the two girls leads to some splendid cur,W t ' C a rouses'tlio ’ curiosity of the audience as to how the story will end. Among the imported .London and New York artists who wdl support Mr./Harry Roberts are Mr. I rank Lamb, a noted' Aiherican comedian, who plays Runion, ana Miss Mary Iveoh, who' conies , fro in New York to play Puckers. Mr L. A. Greenaway, who will be seep as the Earl of Henningford, is ait old ravonte, having been leading map a former four with Miss jfit- ' tell Bruno. “The Prince Chap” will he Mr Roberts’ opening bill to-night, and to-morrow evening a change will bo made to Henry Arthur Jones’ famous comedy, “The Case of Rebelli-. Susan.” Tho box plan is at ; Miller’s.