ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 161, 12 March 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE TRIALS OF CONCERT TOURS. It was a country town in Australia; the Concert Manager having: slipped into his “glad rags,” steed outside the-local hail tc watch the people enter. “Say, Mister,’” said a baokblocks individual, “Good Pitchures tc-ntght?” “Pictures, my der,.v .man,” said tire manager, raising his eyebrows, “Oh, yes, the programme boy has some V line pictures for sale of Leo, Jan, and Mischel Cherniavsky, the artists who are appearing here to-night.” “Oh, its a ‘gaff,’ Does they darnce, Governor'. “No,” responded the manager. “Sing?” laconically queried the man. “No,” replied the manager. “What they do”? continued the enquirer. “Play the piano violin, and cello.” “Oh, is that all?” responded the backblocks man. “Will they play for cur ‘Op’ after the show?” “I’m really afraid they comnot undertake the onerous duties involved in playing for your “Op,” said the manager. “Oh, it aint difficult Mister, I plays the mouth organ, and I’ll goon shew ’em ’ow to play the darnces.” The manager courteously declined the proffered lessons and ;

the Ch'erniavskys were, 1 deprived of the opportunity .of 'extending their musical experiences. These wonderful artists, supported by a fourth brother, Alexander Cherniavsky, will appear in Taihape on Monday next, 15th inst, and judging by the interest beingtaken in their coming, they should easily eclipse all records ever established in this town.

NELLIE STEWART. “SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY.” Wrote a Sydney critic last September, “Why did Nell Gwynne attract Charles Stuart?” That is the problem presented by“ Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” which is now being so triumphantly revived at the Theatre Royal. The answer of course is that - Nell was a change from the rarefied beauties of the Restoration Court. She was'.like a breeze in a hothouse—More, she was like a red rose blooming in a slum, vivid yet delicate. Nellie Stewart has often been seen as “Sweet Nell.” Now, it may fairly be said, she is seen’ at her best. The rich autumn of her art gives rare colour to the things she dieses to offer Her parts, to-day, are distained with the multi-coloured dyes of unique experience. Miss Stewart could never have been better than she was last night for we had before us the very Nell of the playwright.” Another critic said, “Her youth and charm are invincible.” For the present tour of th e Dominion, a most excellent company was selected and numerically it is one of the strongest that has toured the Dominion. Moreover, the play will be staged on the same lavish scale that always marks Mr George Musgrove’/j productions. The icpstumes especially being of the richest description and in keeping with the splen. dour of the Court of King Charles. Two actors of high repute in London are making their first appearances with this company—Mr Clarence Blakiston, from the Haymarket Theatre and Mr Allan Wilkie, from the Garrick Theatre, London. Mr Blakiston will play Charles Stuart and Mr Wilkie Lord Jeffries. Besides being a fine character actor Mr Wilkie is a keen Shakesperian student and actor, and has appeared with success as Hamlet, Othello, Richard 111., and other leading roles. The box plans were opened at Finch’s Bazaar this morning, and a very heavy demand for reserved seats resulted.