AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 80, 30 April 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE LITTLE BREADWINNER." The Theatre Royal was not crowded last evening to witness the delightful and popular play "The Little Breadwinner,'' presented by Messrs. Meynell and Gunn's strong and clever company of artistes. The plot of the piece is so well-known to local theatregoers that it is unnecessary to repeat it. The cast of characters was particularly strong, each role being well sustained. Little Queenie Williams as "' The Little Breadwinner" is fresh and dainty as ever, her singing of " Daddy " being even more pleasing than on her previous visit. The , balancing of the characters was good from start to finish. Thn exquisite dressing and elaborate mounting of the piece contributed largely to the excellence of the evening's entertainment. "THE STEPMOTHER" TO-NIGHT. To-night, the iast night of the Meynell and Gunn season, will be presented for the first time in New Plymouth Arthur Shirley's latest play "The Stepmother." The play is overflowing with villainous machinations, and .vet it does not necessarily shock one, for love mi laughter are introduced so frequently that smiles predominate for the greater part of the performance. The story is one which mainly concerns the welfare of Danny (Miss Beatrice Holloway), a fine lad whose mother is murdered by evildoers who value money more than life. A plot by the stepmother and f< scoundrel shipbroker to rob a certain sea-captain is discovered by his (fne captain's) unexpected home-coming, and justice is meted out before the curtain falls. All the members of the company, including Miss Lilian Meyers, Mr. E. R. Stanford, and Mr. J. 11. Atholwood, are said to be well cast. The production of " The Stepmother " should prove a fitting conclusion to a highly successful season. The company will leave for Wellington by Saturday's mail train, and commence a season there on Monday night next. ROYAL "COMIC OPERA. In the approaching visit of the Royal Comic Opera Company, now at Wellington, local theatregoers can with safety anticipate one of the richest lyrical treats that has been afforded them for many years. Wellington critics state that it is the most powerful company sent to New Zealand since the days ot Charles Ryley, Wallace Brownlow, Nellie Stewart, Violet Varley, Billie Elton, and Howard Vernon. In those days Florrie Young was one of the youngest or the principals; but the training she has since had in England and under Marehesi, not to mention the big round of parts she has so successfully filled in Australia, Sias fitted her for the prima donna roles of the present repertoire. But she is only one of many principals of exceptional talent. Mt. Andrew Higginson, from England, is one of the most attractive light baritones that this country has seen, and those who have seen him in "The Merry Widow," and also the performance of Mr. Joseph Coyne in London, say that the former has nothing to learn. Then there is Miss Fanny Dango, Victor Couriet, Mr. W. S. Tercy, Miss Nellie Wilson, Mr. James Hughes, Miss Connie Milne, Miss Marietta Nash (Mrs. George Lauri), Mr. Arthur Hunter, and last, but by no means least, the popular tenor Mr. Reginald Robcr. Owing to the enormous success of "The Merne Widow," the run of Frank Lehart brilliant work had to be twice extended in Wellington, where no fewer than fourteen performances of the opera were given. This is the record run for any opera in New Zealand, but it is merely q repetition of what has occurred in every other part of the world where . "The Merrv Widow" has been seen. Over a thousand seats at us each were booked in Wellington before the curtain rose on the first performance, and M such an extent has accommodation, been bespoken in the country towns during the flying visit the company is to make during the next two weeks tnat the management is experiencing real aifficultv in making arrangements for the accommodation of the 110 members of the organisation. On this occasion the company is in charge of Mr. (leorge H. Smith, and Mr. Bert Boyle is attending to the advance work. ,