THEATRE ROYAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 228, 23 October 1903, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

" MAMA'S NEW HUSBAND." The Stine and Evans' American Oornady Company, who opened their season here on Thursday, cime with a reputation for extraordinary veraitili'y and mirth-provokiog powers, and, if anything, 6hoy surpassed the expectations which had been formed o? their abilities. From start to fin ; sh they delighted the audience thoroughly, and again, and again the aoplauae was unmistakeable in its heartiness and spontaneity, whilolaughtar reigned supreme. Every member of the Company is a variety artißt of the firss rank, and their aim to raise laughter and give pleasure to the audience in other ways, such as singing and dancing, was crowned with signal success. The plot of "Mama's New Husband" is a matter of no importance, beyond acting as a canvass for th 9 display of the extraordinary cleverness of the various artists facing the audience. First and foremost ia Mr Stine, whose peculiar American glibness and drollery are accentuated with side splitting asides and local hits. Whether as the downtrodden appendage of his wife or the self-asserting husband (Henry Brood) he was equally olever and amusing, and the auiience were quick to take h ; m into favour, and the more they saw and beard him the more they enjoyed bis performance, which has a special cbarro of i f s o#n, and stamps the actor as a genius among comedian-. Mr Charles P. Bite?, as Silas Franklin, <!be gay old aspirant to the hind of the 17-year-old " Maimie," was a splendid impersonation, full of dry humour and bye-play. He also received a loud recall for his song "I've a terrible lot to do to day," the substituted number " Mr Dooney " eliciting tremendous laughter and applause, Mr Julian also gave a clever impersonaion of " Franklin Kingsley." As a lancer, singer, and comedian, Mr Win Douglas, who took the part of "Jimmy," was an enormous success. A song and dane j, in which he and Miss Ford toqk part, fairly brought dowQ ths house, an encore hiiug insisted on, Mr Hunt's splendid bies voice was heard to great advantage in " The Bolls of St. Mary's," in which the deep mellow noteit rang out with telling effect. In response to in imperative encore, he gave "Absent,' 1 for which he was deservedly apphudod most heartily. Miss Margaret Marshall, as Mis "Pearly" Brood, the virago of uncertain years and the tyrant of her second husband, showed a versatility in moods and manners that caused endless amusement. It was a cleverly conceived and artistically executed piece of characterisation, which 'he auiience enjoyed mo3t heartily. Miss Margprie Ford was another of the •itars of this Company, and, in conj'lnciicm 1 with Mi Douglas, gave a rare treat in dancing and singing, besides acting throughout wrh much originality and humour. The life and soul of the company was, however, Miss Olive Evans, whose " Mamie Dimier" was worth going a long way to see. She is certainly one of the cleverest, most amusing and versatile performers that have ever seen here. In the musical dance and ensemble " Money," she was seen and heard to great advantage, but her assumption of the role of a little school girl with toy accessories was one of the bßst and most mirth-provoking scenes in the play. The dancing of the Bicknells was a special feature. Dressed as if they emerged from a Pompadour picture, they gyrated in a moss marvellous and rythmitical manner, a fa Dartos, their graceful yet lightninglike movements roualng the to a high pitch of enthusiasm and seouring a double encore. Miss Evans and Mr Stine were also responsible for a very clever and amusing operatic sketch wMoh gave a finishing touch to » performance that was remarkable for Us originality and versatility. The other members of the company, no mattor how small were their parts, displayed great talent, and helped to I make the performance one of the most enjoyable that could ba wished for. The music was especially good, and the piece was staged, and dressed in a most elaborate manner.

TO-NIGHT will ba the last of the ell too short season. Mr Geo, Stephenson will present "Brown's in Town," ius load of Where is Cobb" as previously advertised. The success of "Brown's in Town " has been so pronounced that at! the present time there are over four- j teen Companies playing it in the United States. It is full of deiiciously funny complications, causing one con'inous roar of laughter. It also conai is some most captivatory musical numbers, irc'udingthe great burlesque on the Flcrodoca S.-xtet. There should be a crowded house to-night for it is tartly that a refreshing and clever Company can bs seen at Near Plymouth,