AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 390, 16 May 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

"WHAT HAPPENED T# JONES." Everybody 'knows "What Happened to Jones," but ndbpdy gets tired of seeing it happen all over again, especially when the hilarity is managed by Mr. George Wdlloughby and his company. On Saturday night no seats went a-beg-ging in the" Theatre Royal, and the packed audience was a very merry one. The farce is one of the .best of the English comic classics, a>nd gives clever folk great opportunities for wildly hilarious playing. Much point was given to the sparkling jests and poignant wit with which the farce abounds, and the large audience left the Theatre feeling particularly pleased with the players, the play and themselves. A feature of the two productions M'as the excellence of the music .supplied by the orchestra, which was very well balanced. The music chosen was of a nigh order, and included some world-famous compositions, amongst which we recognised one from "The Gondoliers." The musical director is Professor Pechtoseh, who toured New Zealand with the great French pianist Kowalski. He was for two years musical composer and director at the Lyceum Theatre, London, and wnen conducting "Peete"—a new version of 'iThe Manxman," to be produced in New Zealand shortly —he had an orchestra of thirty-six under him. He is always composing, it would seem, and his music is eagerly looked for. It is little wonder, then, that he managed to give' us a musical treat during the comedy the other night.

Local playgoers will welcome the announcement that Mr. George Wil'lougWby will return to New Zealand in January next with "Mr. Preedy and the Countess," to be played by the same eom,pany as so successfully occupied the Theatre Royal on Friday and Saturday night.