"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8105, 27 March 1906, Page 5

"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."

One of the largest bouses that ever greeted a performance in the - Masterton Town Hall was present last evening, when that new and most successful musical comedy, "The Earl and the Girl," was staged by Mr Johu P. Sheridan's Company, which is moHt remarkable for allround ability as the cpnfinuous waves of applause which rippled from the audience to thestage amply testified. "The Earl ana the Girl," being a musical comedy, has, of course, no plot worthy of the name —if it had there would probably be no comedy, and the great bulk of theatre-goera would consequently be muoh disgusted. ' Light comedy, in preference to plots, or anything else, is the "mind" of the theatregoer of the present day. Time was when musical comedies were all but universally condemned; to day they are generally praised and appreciated. and "The Earl and the Girl" must be counted by a discriminating audience as being among the very brightest and fascinating of its kind. The composer is Ivan Caryll, the writer Seymour Hicks, Percy Greenbank contributing the lyrics. The gist of the story is that "Dick Wargrave," who is, unknown to himsell, heir to the Stole Earldom, makes a runaway match with "Miss Elphin Haye," an American sohoolgirl, who ia heiress to a trifle of tbree million, but conceals the fact from "Wargrave." "A. Bunker Bliss." the uncle of the heiress, fire-eating American with a brace of revolvers, starts out to look tor "Wargrave," whereupon the. latter pays a "stone-broke" dog trainer, "Jim Cheese" (Mr John Sheridan), to take his ("WargraveV') plaoe, and risk the first wrath of the avuncular relation. The exploits o£ "Jim Cheese," thus masquerading in high society for one night, form the mainspring of the fun which ripples through the production. The bulk of the "work" thus fell upon Mr Sheridan in the characterjof "Jim Cheese." He handled the role in a clever manner, and brought out all the broad points of comedy very neatly. He posed as a smiling, good natured "'Arry," who takes the ups and downs of life cheerfuly. While he oocupied the stage he kept the audience in roars of laughter, i*nd his clever interpretation of the character earned for him loud applause. Miss Heba Barlow had a difficult role to fill as "Liza Shodham," "Jim Cheese's" sweetheart. In a very successful manner she supported Mr Sheridan. Her sweet voice was beard to advantage in the "oatchy" song and chorus, "Bom-bom-bay," and she, was deservedly encored. As "Elphinejlaye," an American heiress, Miss Ray Jones carried out her part in a very capable manner. Her singing was warifily applauded. Her best number was "The Blush Rose of England." Ihe chorus carried festoons of roses, and the effect thus produced was exceedingly pretty. Miss clones, also, sang "Put Your Arms Around Me, ' with much expression. As a vocalist she has plenty of scone to show her ability, and makes the best of her chances. MrJDhomas Gurran, as the 'cute Yankee lawyer, left nothing to be desired, He was encored for his singing of "The Mail Behind." As Dick Wargrave, Mr Avaloh Collard, who has a capital tenor voioe, carried out his pare well. He soored a deoided hit with the song "{Shores of the Mediterranean." Mr Jean de Lacy did full justice to the role of "A Bunker Bliss," the "fire-eating" uncle. Mr Rupert Julian, as the Hon Crew Boodle, Miss Minnie Gray, as Daisy Fallowfield, Miss Florence Faning as Mrs Shimmering Black, Miss Elsie Wilson, as Miss Virginia Bliss, all showed considerable histrionic ability. A number minor roles were, also, creditably sustained. At the oonolusion of the piece cheers were given for the Company. Selections were given on a Magnaphone, supplied by "The Talkeries" Company, Masterton, before the curtain was raised.