AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10040, 10 May 1910, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY. Three was a large attndance at the Masterton Town Hall last evening to witiiesa the performance of "The Night of the Party" by Mr George Willoughby's English Farcical Comedy Coy. New Zealanders riavehtardao much regarding this famous comedy of Mr Weedon Grosa nith which has already been running lor nearly 3.000 nights in England, that considerable interest and curiosity was naturally manifes'ed in its production in Mu9teion by the Willonghby Company. . More than eight principals have been brought out from London, including David James, s'ae leading comedian, who was per- ] tsonally selected for the role of Crosbie, the valet, by Mr Weldon Grossmith, the author of the play. Mr Weedon Grossmith has built such a farcical comedy as the public love. ]t is wholesome mirth from beginning to end, and no sooner has one farcical situation cropped up than it id succeeded by another. Each of the three acts is btrong in humourous

incident and happy dialogue. The plot commences when Mr Frayne suddenly returns to his flat. During his absence the servants, and those ot the ueigbboming mansions have been indulging in a real- merry party, at Mr Frayne'* expense. At the first signal of alarm, the servants hastily hide, and when Mr Frayne enters ha finds everything apparently as it should be, although he cannot account for certain queer noises beneath the table, and from inside various aiticled of funmurd in (he room. Then there hurriedly enters Lady Hampshire, who has run away from h°r husband, and declares she loves Mr Frayne. The servants hear certain things, and ihey endeavour to make use of their information for their own end? Crnsbie, Mr Frayne's valet, for example, impersonates hia master, and goes into the country in great style, and the result uf his impersonation of Mr Frayne leads to endless complications and a roost uproariously funny denouement. The audience were in a simmer ot laughter practially from curtain to curtain, and there was certainly nothing left undone by the actors and the management to makelast night's performance enjoyable and successful. Mr David James ?° Wosbie was inimitable. The secret meetinps between Lady Hampshire (Mies Violet Paget) and Mr Frank Frayne C. Buckler) in the first act revealed a fine piece of character acting, and Crosbie had excellent ground to work upon. Miss Mab Paul as Gipsy Vandelier was much appreciated. Her fine stage presence and faultless work as an actress deserved the encomiums showered upon her. Mr George Willoughby took the part of Mr Flambert, butler to the Duke of Hungerford, and his part was one that gave a Masterton audience a fair idea of what a finished actor Mr Willoughby really is. A word of praise is due Miss Amy Willard, who played the role of Pauline, the pprlormaid, with great vivacity. The other characters, who included fully a dozen in the cast, were excellently fill3d. and the stage mp'iage'ment was exceedingly gcod.

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS. What the old proverb says of good wine can be enthusiastically applied to that unique and gifted organisation, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who will reappear after an absence of several years at the Town Hall Jtfasterton on Thursday and Friday nights next Ihey are very old friends, and invariably receive a genuinely nearly welcome when in their extensive itinerary New Zealand is visited. Apart from their quaintness and the charm of the harmony of Iheir simple melodies ;.there is a distinct attraction in the way the company sing them, so much fervour and zest are put into their efforts. Both individually and collectively the Fisk Jubilee Singers are most capable as entertainers, for though they excel in concerted numbers, their programmes always include many finely sung solos, which stir an audience to great enthusiasm. Seats may be reserved at Miss Rive's.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTUEKS. "The Woman from Melons" is the xitle of the star picture produced at the Foreßters' HaM last night. This is a story of bve's stratagem, the old story, love will find a way, and though conditions may seem desperate and obstacles insurmountable still Master Cupid and Dame Fate will conspire to bring together two hearts if they in turn have the audacious daring to hearken to their suggestions, for faint heart ne'er won fair lady. "The Flirt" is a pictorial comedy. Peter and Rose are sweet hearts, and plighted their troth by tho side of a stream. She sidesteps occasionally, but all ends happily. "The Beginning of the Serpentine" is one of the finest colour productions ever shown here, the kaleidoscope changes are bewildreing. "The Botanist" is another finely coloured trick film. "The Traitor," -Roman's Daughter," "The Life of Moses," and a good sprinkling of comic subjects go to make up-a first class programme. For Influenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Car?. Never fails. 1/6,2/6.