ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 10 November 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"SERGIvANT BRUE."

There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when Me-srs. Clarke ami Meyintll presented the comic opera "Sergeant Brue," which came with a greait reputation from "the other side."' The strength of "Sergeant Brue" is undoubtedly in its costuming. The dressing of the ladies last night was superb in every act, and the stage management was good. The weakness of ''Sergeant Brue" lies ill the utter stupidity of the whole story, and its total impossi.bilty. There were some clever people in th« caste, and in the. hands of lessor lights the thing must have been a long-draw# farce, and nothing else. The saving grace- of the production was its absolute success hi provoking laughter. Tim witticisms and mannerisms of Mr. Ton* oraves (as Croakie Serubbs) were immense. His humor was natural, easy, and practically constant. The sergeant himself (Mr. Percy Clifton) had -ome screamingly funny parts, and he made the most of them. With the. exception of ilr. Frank Compton, as Magistrate Crank, none of the other mem wen- very, impressive. .Mr. Frank Lincoln sang "Rose of Honolulu" in capital voice, liui, here let it be said that the audience got most of the musical items only on the printed programmes. The compa.tiv had to catch the steamer at about midnight, and to do this the piece had to be hurra d through, So the songs were cut out, or most oE them.' Mr. -Clifton's ''P.C. Green," with' the policemen's chorus, was very funny. -The leading lady was Miss. Florence Imeson as l.ady Biekenhall, and she was good throughout. Of a good stage appearance, smart. ' in all h'er spoken parts, and most successful in her vocal items. Miss I meson made .friends immediately with the, audience. "Instinct" was her best number. Miss Nell Finnis played the part of the sergeant's daughter with some skill, and took the solo in "Under the Panama." The remaining artists had , little to do but to play up to those mentioned, and to join in some very fine ehoruses. The full orchestra under th« I baton of Mr. F. Wynne Jones played I the overture capitally, and the incidental music iwas skilful, too.