“HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 145, 16 March 1931, Page 2

“HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT”

Mirthful as it is beautiful, the pantomime “The House that Jack Built” is attracting large audiences to the Grand Opera House. The music of the pantomime Is particularly bright and interesting, and the comedy is of the highest class. Jim Gerald makes a most homely, human, and wholly convincing Dame Barleycorn. Full of wise saws and idiotic quips, he sings a good song or two, and dances with skill and agility. He was associated for the most part with Boy Rene (the irresistible “Mo” of revue days), who, minus his pasty face, plays the übiquitous role of Sammy, a stable boy, with a gusliful humour. One of the clever bits of the business the pair achieve together is the mirror illusion. Dame Barleycorn’s scene with the “cow with the crumpled horn” was most delicious nonsense. The third comedian is the old favourite, Phil Smith, who figures as the village constable among a gallery of characters. Ono of the funniest bits was Phil's rendition of “The Stein Song,” with .a savage counter melody by Koy Rene, who trills, ‘‘l’d Like to Find the Guy Who Wrote the Stein Song.”