ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2366, 5 December 1908, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

VIOLETTA AND ISIDORE

The audience avhich went to His Majesty’s Theatre last evening in anticipation of a pleasurable performance of tho fairy extravaganza “Violletta -and Isidore” avas not disppointed. The libretto avas avritten byMrs. T. H. AYoods, under whose direction the airhole avas produced, and the. authoress avas successful in turning out a composition that -admirably lent itself to performance; by juveniles. The dialogue is simple and easily followed, and the eighteen scenes have been designed with a view to obtaining good effects, though little avas attempted in the way of a dramatic climax. The chorus grouping avas pretty, and the various incidental dances and marches were carried out in a pleasing manner. For an initial performance, the extravaganza could be considered to be successful, the aveakest feature being an occasional dilatory entarncc and a want of freedom among some of the performers; due in a measure, 110 doubt, to nervousness. The solos and choruses avere welil received, and the antics of tlio eight imps created some amusement. The scenery avas appropriate, and the dressing throughout was excellent. Briefly told, the plot avas as follows: —A number of children visit Fairyland, where dwell \~ioI’etta (Fairy Queen) and her attendants, together avith Olia'ia (Spirit of Peace) and her son Isidore. The latter loves Violetta, but cannot wed her as his mother (a daughter of the Gods) married a mortal, thus displeasing the- Gods, who sent her from amongst them. Alephisto and his imps war against A lolotta. and Olia'ia. who finally overcome them, thus gaining tho approval and favor of the Gods, avho then allow the marriage of Violetta and Isidore. Miss M. AY aril, as Isidore, made an effect!vc boy, and acted in a avertin' manner. Alias Solvander was a charming A iolotta, and sang avith taste, and, avith Isidore and” Olivia, made a pretty centrepiece 111 an effective concluding scene, the Fairy Wedding. As Olivia, Aliss Al. Aston acted with grace, and showed herself to be possessed of some talent. The minor parts avere filled as follows: —Grau’pa Grumble Grown, Air. Jack Aston: Gramma Crosspatch, lAliss C. Taylor: Principal Demon, Air. James Aston; Air. C’uughteasy, Air. A. Tomlinson. The other performers avere :—Roses: A lassos AJ. Fox, G. Hansen, S. II offer an (2), C. Morel:’:, I). Pilcher, C. Watts, K. Wiiterson; Fairies: Alisses Kitty Aston. Ada Bloomfield, Alyrtle Church, Phvllis Cox. Ella Fry. Kathleen Fox, Al.aggie Perston, Gertie Parker, Freda ejj't'ander, Alaggie AVard; Imps : Al asters Fry (2), “ Jones (2), McDowell, SnowriV., (Smith, AYallin; Children: Master A 7". Norman, L. Anderson, Al. Church, Al. Edwards, R. Dunning, E. Higham, C. Hepburn, A. Jones, C. Pistor, F. Pistor, O. Quigley, H. Robertson, S. Tate (2), E. Wallen, Baby Webb, and Baby Robertson. The incidental music avas excellent.y played by the Messrs A'ita Bros. A matinee will he given this afternoon at 3 o’clock, and it is probable that a visit avilll be made to A\ aerenga-•a-liika at an early date.

“AIRS. AYIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH.” Laughter dominates tears in "Airs. Wings of the. Cabbage Patch” which comes to llis Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday and. Friday next, under the management- of Air. J. C. A 3 illiainson; hut there is much genuine emotion m the play. Two touching scenes unusually well acted give the serious contrast to wliat must he something very special in a play of this type which unfailingly entertained the most blase audiences for five seasons in the greatest cities of America, had a record run of 300 performances m London, and completely captured Melbourne audiences during its six weeks season. The play, says, a prominent New York critic, is carefully staged. The devices which poverty compels in the manner of keeping home and taking caro of a large family of children, strike the feminine side of the theatregoing public on the funny-bone at the beginning and even the. most saturnine of bachelors is compelled to laugh. The Imx plan will be opened at Aliller’s m Monday.