Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7734, 9 February 1905, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

THE ROSE OF THE RIVIERA." A RECORD SUCCESS. '.'J The ThcaUe lioyul last night was (l densely parked by an. audience which f iny comedy company would have , lieen glad to lace, (or from the rise ( jS the curtain till the clos.- of the t last act were unstinted up- f plausu and roars of laughter. Mr | Ueorge Stephenson's company ca-ie i here with a reputation which was i umply justilied, and the reception I which they met with was thorough- 1 ly deserved. The acting, singing, i [lancing, scenery, dre:;scs and stage j effects were all peifect, and nothing , hut unstinted praise was heaid of t the pel I uir.ance. Thcio was n,i a < dull n.oimnl throughout ii,e pc.-- ! forma.ic, which was thoiouglily ell- 1 joyed by all presini. 'the chief of ; the fun was naturally cent led in i Mr I'idwaid Liiuri. who, firstly. as < •■Tii:!.el." subM-quciil.ly as the Duke I uf Claph.un, aud finally as the Du- < chess, simply convulsed the audi- i ence with his drollery, astonished ' them Willi his dancing, and delighted ] them with his singing. It was uu I inimitable performance, full of fun, i life anil vigour, collided \\i\ h that 1 keen sense of humour which was seen in such striking force in the bye- ' play and gag that told with unerr- j ing force, Resides singing "On the Itiviera" and "Come, Come, Caroline," he took a prominent part in the trios "Etiquette" and ''l'm the' Duke of Clapham," while his duet with Moss Gurstang, '■ Mingle Your Eyebrows With Mine," was given with splendid effect, and evoked the strongest manifestations of delight from the vast audience. As Don l'edro Mr Chus. McNaughton had a part which suited him down to the ground, and gave ample scope lor Kiscomedy and melodramic talent. His "Whizz, Whirr, of uhc Motor Car" (the opening number) put the house in excellent humour, and the following number, ■■'Then I'd Think i I'Jhat I'd lie Satisfied With Life," llairly aroused their enthusiasm, the ' loeal hits being thoroughly enjoved, ' especially the allusion to the exhibiItion, in which he opined that If he had the exhibition buildings for a jfowU house he'd be "fairly happy for life." He also displayed re'markablo skill in (landing, and was parjticularly successful in th\> song and dance, '•'Foun Pretty Little Maidens," while in the trio and its linn I dance, "How They Go Home," he :fairly surpassed himself, and with Messrs Lauri and Ilovis scored a brilliant triumph. Mr Charl w liovis, I 'as the American journalist, gave a ' most amusing character sketch full , jot point and vivacity, with an added vein of dry humour that caught on immensely ; especially was • this 'cxempiilied in the scene when he .''.interviews" the sham Duchess (Mr Lauri). He greatly assisted in |am.using the audience, and well - deserved the success he achieved. Mr ,W. Bovis was agreeably amusing in his delineation of M. Erol\ his viva- ! jcioiiK acting and dancing fitting in iwell with the swing of the piece. ' jit was, of course, an exaggerated sketch, hut the exaggeration, was artistic and droll, therefore enjoyable NeoiHess to say that Miss ■ jflJay lleatty received a hearty welcome on making her appearance, and ■her delightful singing charmed the audience ok ol yore. Her best nuiiiiber was her latest song, •Egypt," the effect of which was greatly enhanced by the artistic grouping of ■the chorus and the changing hu-s of ■ the limelight, It would be difficult ,to find a better exponent of the complex part of Millie Davcnlry than Miss Realty. Equally charming and graceful in female and male attire, she entered into her part with a zest that added to her success, and did credit to her reputation. Miss IGarstang also secured much applause. It would bo impossible to meiijtjon in the limited ispace allotted |(o this notice, a tithe of the excellent points in the comedy, nor give |ilue praise to each of the iKMfoimers, but it can bo justly recorded that 'all the other members of the company filled uheir parts in a: most .capable niannerj. the consequence being thai there was nothing to mar the perfect success which attended .the piece throughout. Special praise fiiust, however, be accorded to Ihe "T'Epur Gihson Girls" and the "Rose for (heir clever and ar.tisUTdanciiiig, in connection with ,which there were several novel anil attractive features which pleased 'the audience immensely. The.scen cry, dresses 1 and mounting of the play wen: on a scale of magnificence rarely seen here, and it may safely be said that the talented compniiV gave a performance which will long lie rcmembored with pleasure by those [who witnessed it. Encores were numerous, laughter almost continuous, and at time.-) uproarious, and when Ihe curtain linully fell there conkl ,havel.«en none present who did not jfoel thoroughly satisfied with the enjoyable treat of seeing and hearing one of ihe best entertainments that has been presented here. "THE SKIRT-DANCER." The attraction to-night will be the above musical coined v, which his I heen creating such a furore through- ' |out the colonies. The music f- s bv iMadnrf,*' "Asthore," and manv oth,er successes. It is claimed bv the management that "The Skirt" Itanccr is the best dressed and most mirigeously mounted nmsical come,!v ever seen ujion a .colonial stage. WILLIAMSON'S ItjO-TAISLF.Ar. Al the 'fheatre «,„■„, to . Illorrow d Saturday Mr J. (;. Williamson's unuiue liio-Tnbleau will be shown when a number of realistic iuovjurwMT !iof , , , h j? ,{l '*«<>-l"l-anose war |vi be cxh,!,,.,,,!. Jn these par. ic, |«lar pictures wi|l be seen the U„s,sian troops in Manchuria, ih» Cossacks en route to the svat of wir street scenes i„ Tokjo. ilm -, iU . Um i conflicts be!ween (he conlrndjng ar»'U.s, while U ,e naval side of the s rugge wi|| include an attack off •ort wjfh the torpedo des- , foyers at work, mine explosions. ■ the towing of ii, v . s .|,i |ls (1(( . In addition lo the war pictures ■! i large number of others wi(l be shown ' amongst which may | w mentioned , Ihe Great Toronto Fire," from ! s oufbreak , 0 Iho uvnnmitin ()f the du.,g,To.,s walls nf t er the eon- . flagrat,,,,, : Tiie Great Internal ion- [ al irotor Kaee " for the Gordon- , Jennett trophy, which took phuv in i Germany last .J„ no . „ ~„„ ( , , Seville; the Kalian Exhibition at Earl s Court ; London hawkers in Cheapside; ami a large quniilllv of others, all of an interesting nature Iho entertainment i s said to | )0 n most remarkable one, and brings the far-oil sights of (he. world withj,, the reach, .of everybody, f'opula,. pricesMi Willmmson promises one of the I most unujue enterlainments vet seen ' in New Plymouth. A complete ' | change of programme is promised fo -. Satunlay. when there will l,e held a ■ si.ec.al matinee at |„„ „- cUK . k . ' . |V ' >ox plan ,s on view al J). Mclvinnon Hum s. ,i