AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 123, 25 May 1909, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE CINDERELLA PANTOMIME. A modern Rip Van Winkle who on arousing from his long found his way to the Opera House would very possibly enjoy himself, but he would certainly not suspect that the entertainment was a pantomime. The pantomime of to-day is a really remarkable evolution. There are, of course, still resemblances in some essentials to earlier times; the fetish that the book must be evolved from one of the old nursery stories is unnecessarily retained, the principal boy struts the boards with lordly swagger as of yore and is invariably a girl, while the comic lady, the wife of some unfortunate, is as surely the principal comedian. But beyond this and a few minor details, pantomime to-day has few points in common with the stock from which it sprung. "Cinderella," produced for the first time by the Meynell and Gunn Opera Company at the Opera House last evening, is an excellent illustration of the fact. The nursery story in this instance is the basis of a sort of glorified musical comedy; it possesses just about as much plot as i» deemed necessary for a London gaiety production, while it has the additional advantage that its specialities are drawn from a variety of sources, and may therefore be expected to be of a higher standard of merit than where one or two writers are responsible for everything. There has palpably been no stint of money in mounting and dressing the pantomime. There are two scenes which are especially beautiful and deserved a great deal more appreciation than they were accorded by the audience last evening- The gradual unfolding of Cinderella's boudoir reveals a marvel of the most delicate tints with which the bright costumes combine in a stage picture we have rarely seen excelled. The introduction of Cinderella's electrically lit motor car is the .finishing touch. Mr P. Goatcher has never painted anything more charming. Then the Royal ballroom, by F. Grist, while naturally not so dainty, is a real triumph of the scenic painters' art. The costuming is fresh, and while in the brightest colours is governed by an eye for an harmonious whole. The dressing of the ballroom scene, with the line of men in maroon velvet as an effective background, is especially pleasing, while the ballet costumes are unusually good. In everything that goes towards striking stage pictures and pleasing effects, Messrs Meyneil and Gunn's Pantomime is an vn j questioned success. Some allowance must be made in connection with the play last night for the company having just come off the boat, after a lengthy trip from Sydney, and the lack of briskness occasionally felt will no doubt be removed at subsequent performances. The stage management can easily remedy defects in this direction, and it is worth the consideration of this department, whether it is desirable to detract from the beauty of the scene of Cinderella's departure for the ball by the passage of her car right across the stage with what is presumably an unsightly electric cable trailing after it. The company is especially strong in comedians. From the moment that Mr. Edwin Brett conies on the stage as Tiny, the wife of the Baron, and starts in with the song, "You all Want Someone to Cuddle," he establishes his popularity with the audience. His presence on the stage is sufficient to keep the house amused. A second song, "I've Struck a Chorus," with its clever attempt to get the audience to join in, and a final response from an immaculately dressed gentleman in the house, is also good. Mr. Cromwell as Baron Debtington, the very much henpecked husband of Tiny, is equally with Mr. Brett a fun-maker. His woe-begone singing of "Don't Take Mc Home," and "A Terrible Tale," are very amusing. Mr Tom Payne is the third member of the trio whose presence is a certain source of laughter. He ie one of the neatest gymnasts "and athletic dancers we have seen, and as Capers (man of all work to the Baron) ; he has his nose into everybody's affairs. Mr. Harold Thorley is a satisfactory Dandini, foster-brother to the Prince. Miss Meredro is a very shapely and delightful principal boy. She looks the part, acts well, and sings pleasingly. Her voice is very high, reminiscent of that of a well trained child, and her "Star of My Life" and "Bombadier" were last evening both imperatively encored. To Miss Meredro also falls the song, "Hello! Little Boy," during which the limelight is thrown by means of a mirror on various male members of the audience. Miss Lincoln's Cinderella is pleasing, and her songs, "I want Somebody to Love Mc," and "If I had a Thousand Lives," were both artistically sung. Misses Daisy Belmore and Emmeline Orford are the baroness's unpleasant daughters and the oppressors of poor Cinderella, and very unpleasant they are indeed, which, however) fe a very distinct compliment to their acting. Minor parts are suitably cast. The dancing of Miss Essie Perrin is a feature of the pantomime, while the ballet is well trained, It has a very excellent and novel dance entitled the Xylophone ballet. A skipping-rope dance by Miss Payne is one of the cleverest and most graceful things of the sort that we have seen. "Cinderella" may be summed-up briefly as affording a good evening's entertainment. It is a show par excellence for the little ones; from rise to fall of curtain its humour is wholly unexceptionable, and it affords proof, if such were required, that it is not necessary to deal in innuendo to raise a hearty laugh. " Cinderella" will bs staged each evening.

"THE MEKRY WIDOW." His Majesty's . Theatre was crowded in all parts last night, when the second performance of "The Merry Widow" was given by the Koyal Comic Opera Company. Outside its charming music, which has set the whole world humming its refrains, it would be a very excellent comedy, with more' than a touch of drama in it. In the name part, Miss Florence Young scored a signal success, the chief weapons of her armament being waltz witcheries of a most captivating kind. Mr. Arthur Higginson as Danilo and the Baron Popoff of Mr. Victor Gouriet were excellent studies. "The Merry Widow" will be staged again this evening.

THE TrVOLI. A special series of pictures in keeping with the spirit which prompted the inauguration of Empire Day, wae presented at the Tivoli Theatre 'last night, and the confidence of the management was not misplaced, for the building was crowded in all parts, and many people were unable to obtain admission at the doors. "The Invasion of England" de-

puted in a graphic manner what might happen should our first line of defence fail us, and our country be found unprepared for the attack of a foe. A companion picture, "An Englishman's Home," the famous drama that has stirred the heart of a great nation, and incidentally acquired a world-wide reputation, was of enthralling interest. The plot is already well known, but the picture representation adds auch a touch of realism to the conception one has already formed of the play, that the picture has a fascinating interest. "An Englishman's Home" will be repeated to-night and tomorrow night only. The other items on the programme were of exceptional merit, the whole combining to make a pleasant evening's entertainment. Patriotic songs were rendered by Master Hubert Carter.