Fifty Years Of Pantomime At Drury Lane!

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

Fifty Years Of Pantomime At Drury Lane!

(PART III.) WMOTHER GOOSE ,, made a iVI bid for fortune at the Lane in 1902-3 and she brought with her several newcomers, names ■which were destined to become famous. One of them was the inimitable Maud Beatty, who since that far-off day has often charmed audiences in Australia and New Zealand. Marie George was another one who afterwards became an idol of the theatregoing public. Maud was tho first boy, Colin; and Madge Leasing was her "Jill," with Marie George, playing the part of Gretchen. Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell were Mother Goose and her son, Jack, while Fred Kmney was the Mayor of Japham with Lawrence C'aird a« The Laird, and Little Zola as Alexander, with Arthur Conquest—another newcomer—in the role of the Goose. And no Sir Auguettifl Harris made another mile of progress in his cavalcude of pantomime.

ByFrank Broad

"Humpty-Dumpty" went through hie acrobatic tumblings once more in the season of 1903-04, Louise VVillLs at the top of the programme and Marie George an Bloesoni. The kinjr nnrl queen were, a.s iiMiml, Lonu ;ui<l (ampbell, both of whom covered thomselvpa with glory. A now comedian to pantomime, although already known on the halls in the pereon of Harry Randall, migrated to this Ijiino this ypar and made a very successful debut in the part of a funny cook. Htmdolf wn«t played by Ruth Lytton, fresh from hfr triumphs at the Gaiety, with George Rnstow, also of the Hr.lle in tli<> rolo of i'ptcr. It wa« Oorgr, you i-ornomber, who to convulse u« at ||>o old Tivoii with hii «inginy of "The *.«llopirt ß Major ,, and "Captnin .(injah." Mβ w ßft a coimwUhm with „ M.vle nil of liie own. Also |n lMn ~,,„,„,, •„;„ wnH an A« we rnnin ,|..«,, t i, P ~.„,., „ u hp ; corning increueiiujlj noticeable lu see

the change's in the different ca»ts. and just here it lie of note to mention that the |uinto j"*t tinder review witnessed tlie hint appearance of Dun l.eiio and Herbert Campbell, tlioir places being taken in Inter production* by Hurry Randall and Walter Pawniori , . Two great names liavr gone forever from the ken of theatregoers, l>lll. tliey arc not forgotten. The season I1H)4-O"> »sa\v the advent in pantomime, of the one and only Queenie Lcighton. a talented and popular musical comedy actress. She made a terrific hit as the Princes** Peerless in the panto of the season under review. With her in the east of "The White. Cat," was Marie George—once more restored to health — in the part of <'npi<l. Jamcd Welch, a line all-round actor, was the Prince Patter, Fred Fastman played Prince Pliimett. and Hugh Ward made a welcome reappearance as Simeon. Tom Wootwell was Populo and Harry Randall, carrying the hulk of the comedy lines, made a very funny Fairy Awbesto*. Ruth Lytton and Turn Hearn completed the cast as ArUto and Snale respectively. Aβ this is somewhat of an ambitious task that 1 have set myself in trying to conjure up ghost* of the past, I feel that I am not anking much,

if you will forgive rne if perchance I havu clipped along the road of time. I do not think that I have j;one very much astray ami my one ambition has lieen to keep the fact* in chronological order. A milestone in pantomime was the production in IiXI.VOO of '"Cinderella." This wae one of the most ambitious to date containing, as it did. names that were known all over the Brit in h Kinpire. First of all there was the lovely Queenie Leighton, this time in the role of Prince Jasper, and for her Cinderella she had the captivating little musical comedy «tar, May de Sous-a, who was making her debut at the Lane. Walter Passmore, • al«o making his first appearance in panto, was the Baroncee de Bluff, and he had a very good target' for his shafts of wit in Harry Randall, ae Alfonso. Baron de Bluff was played by Arthur Williams, with Pollie Emery and Emily Spiller ae the two Ugly Sistere. The role of Dandini was taken by that celebrated humorist, Harry Fragson. Remember his "Songs at the Piano" act on the Moss and Stoll circuit? The other comedian in the show was Tom Wootwell who was entrusted with the part of Growler.

1000-7 Drury L.ane gave IIS "Sinbail the Sailor.'' with Queenie Leighton still rrtainiii«r licr popularity as a player of boy parts. In this production a ih-w departure was noticed, namely, the substituting of a male actor in the parts heretofore played by Queenie Leighton an<l Ada Blanche. Walter Passmore took the principal boy's .part, Sinbad, and Queenie played the second boy's part of Hinbad. The innovation couldn't have been too successful, for in the next year the manag'-ment reverted to the old way. However, in this panto other parts were played by Marie (leorge, (Killiy). Fred Kiuney (Fmpress of all the Saharas) ; and Harry Fragson (Envoy to the Kmpress). In "The Bal>es in the Wood" for the ]!H)7-H season sad memories were recalled by the appearance of Walter I'assmore and Marie Ceorge as The Balies. The iiiidienee was carried back to the years 18!»7-!tS. when poor 01.l Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell played the same parts, i.e., Reggie and (,'issie. However, the people out in trout soon became accustomed to it, and there is no denying that Walter Passmore anil Marie (ieorge made pood in the roles. Several new people had found their way into the cast lor this production, amongst them being: Agnes Fraser, who was Robin Hood; Madge Vincent, the Maid Marian; and Xeil Kenyon—who died recently— as the Dame, with Lennox Pawle as his husb&nd, the wicked Baron. The two ruffians who were hired by the Baron to do the dirty deed were acted by the Tender Troupe; you will remember' they were (iiant* in this production. It was in this production that Harry Ifragson made his last appearance at th 6 Shortly afterwards he went to Paris, where he worked in variety until his death.

"Dick Whittington" lias ever boon a ;»reat favourite with children and grownups alike, and with practically a new cast in 1908-N it proved a greater success than ever. Quecnic Leightou, after an absence from the previous year's cast, returned to play the principal role. Associated with her were Marie Wilson us Alice, Marie George, as Katrina; Truly Shattock (a very well known artist, but a newcomer to the Lane) as second Boy. Pedio, Prince of Shantasia; the one and only Wilkie Bard, as Idle Jack; Johnny Danvers (returned after an absence of some years) as Alderman Fitzwarren. This was brought about by the withdrawal at the last moment of Neil Kenyon, who pleaded a nervous breakdown and so retired from the cast, Johnny Danvers taking his place. 1 don't think Xeil ever returned to Drury Lane after this. Aubrey Fitzgerald played the part of Will Witless. 'More changes were to follow in the next season, 1909-10, when George Graves, yet another famous comedian, made his bow to Drury Lane audiences. Another George in the cast was George Ali, a celebrated animal impersonator. Graves was Abanazar in the panto "Aladdin"; Ali was BSlo the Dog; and Marie George was principal boy, Aladdin. Ida Rene (making her debut) was the Princess Babroubadour; whilst Truly Shattock was the second boy, Prince Pekoe; Wilkie Bard, of course, was the Widow Twankey, completing what was considered <MM of the finest casts ever assembled. (Concluded next week.)