ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 2, 27 June 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

TAYLOR-CARRINGTON MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

Amusement seekers will have a rare treat on Friday, July 7, for on that occasion the Taylor-Carrington Musical Comedy Company will appear at the Theatre Royal in the musical and farcical comedy, "The Girl from Chicago" and " 'Arry and 'Arriet." The great success of Mr, Hugh Ward with farcical and musical comedy, by which that clever actor and manager cleared over £4001) in three months, has induced the TaylorCarrington Company to turn their attention to that popular form of amusement, and consequently they are now enabled to visit many towns that were closed books to their dramatic productions on account of the great expense. "The Girl from Chicago" and " 'Arry and Arriet" are laugh-producers of the very first order of merit, and the musical selections include a number of the very latest and most popular songs. Mr. Charlie Taylor is a comedian of worldwide reputation, and is supported by Miss Carrington and a very clever combination of, artists. There should bo a crowded house to witness "The Girl from Chicago" and " 'Arry and 'Arriet."

THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. Quite the finest concert company that has toured the Dominion is the Scarlet Troubadours Costume Comedy Company from London. It is a company of genuine artists in their prime, unspoiled by success. They have visited New Plymouth thrice previously, and the satisfaction of the public on those occasions was amply demonstrated last night by the full house which greeted them on their farewell appearance at the Theatre Royal. It was a splendid tribute to their merit. Mr. Ford Waltham, the popular basso profundo, with the mobile features, installed himself as a prime favorite long ago, and he added to his laurels last night in his solos and in the splendid chorus work for which, no less than for the beauty and excellence of the vocal tolos, the Troubadours have become noted. His first, and perhaps his best, number was "A Chip of the Old Block," and "The Old Trombone" (by special request) was his encore number. We saw him again to great advantage in "Cavaliers and Roundheads," a dramatic number in the Cavalier scene in the second part, in a quartette with Messrs. Mauncring, Griffiths, and Cuningham. He was encored on every ocsasion. This was the fate, however, of every one of the performers, the only difference being that for some numbers the audience was fain to be content with a double encore, whilst in others the soloists had to appear three or four times before they were allowed to resume their seats. Mr. E. Warwick is the humorist, and his humor is spontaneous and clean. Everyone laughed at his jokes and at his drollery, and laughed heartily, yet every joke could have been uttered in the presence of a girls' seminary class without causing offence. Shortly, he is a humorist, a brimful, bubbling-over fountain of laughter, and laughter is infectious. He sang "Familiarity," from the point of view of the "blue blood," and made the people's sides ache with "If you'd only told me," in which the words were supplemented by inimitable drollery and facial expression. "How the Minstrel lost his job" earned him an encore, and he sang "The baby in the bath," which brought the house alwut his ears, and he was encored again. Mr. Warwick introduced some clever "business" into some of his items, too. Mr. Alfred Cunningham sang "She is far from the land," and by special request gave as a recall number "The Toreador," slngin" it with an enthusiasm and and masterly skill that "caught'' immensely,

and was a splendid effort. A further encore was demanded, but the strain of "The Toreador Song" had taken the freshness from his voice. Mr. Sydney Mannering and Mr. Griffiths also contributed to the, programme items of sterling merit, either singly or in concert with the other voices of the company. Quite unintentionally the ladies are left to tak« second place in this comment. They don't deserve it, either, for all are on a high plane of excellence. Miss Rita Fitzgerald is dainty and petite in her singing of dainty ditties. "Cups and saucers" was artistic, every line of it, and "Dear little jammy face" was equally clever. Not a word mis-spoken, not a word lost, the item was a gem, a»d was again encored. Miss Lily Fitzgerald earned rapturous applause for her "Junetide," and replied with a pretty rendering of "Love at the door." Mi» Winifred Birch sang "The pretty girl from nowhere," and had to appear again, this time giving "The Alpine drees." Mr. Leonard Griffiths was the accompanist. Mr. Claude Leplastrier produced some splendid studies Tapidly in colored and white chalks. The whole performance was one that the audience could hare gone on listening to for hours, and we expect to see many of the same faces in the game places to-night.