A GREAT SUCCESS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 10

A GREAT SUCCESS

“Dick Whittington” CHILDREN’S THEATRE “Oh, Mummy, wasn’t it lovely!”—a shrill childish treble, which rang out in the dress circle of the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of the Children’s Theatre’s performance of “Dick Whittington,” voiced the sentiments of every child present at what must surely go down as the most successful production of this excellent organisation. The Concert Chamber was packed, there being scarcely a vacant seat either up or downstairs, and the children for the space of two hours were transported to tlie mystic realm of Fairyland, wherein dwell all those people who figure in the pages of popular story books . It was most obvious from the reception that the show received, that pantomime is. just what the young folks like. In “Dick Whittington” there is everything that goes toward making the ideal production. There is a beautiful fairy queen and her elfin attendants, a demon, a beautiful heroine, a winning principal boy, and a magic animal. What more could one want? Every member of the cast played his or her part In a manner that met with the entire approval of the youthful audience. That speaks volumes for them, for children are almost super-critical at such performances. The pantomime closely followed the original fairy tale, and was in two acts and eight scenes, which traced the career of Dick Whittington from poverty to the position of Lord Mayor of London. The show went off without a hitch, and reflected the greatest credit on its producer, Miss Beryl Earle, who certainly had her cast word-perfect. The undisputed star of the whole show was the Cat, a black pussy of no very definite breed, realistically played by Miss Glrleen Griffiths, which gambolled about the stage, miaowed in lusty fashion, washed behind her ears, and actually spoke like a human being in her more magical moments. Pussy created such an impression on tbe children that many of them dashed behind the stage after the show just to stroke her Coney seal coat. The scene in which the eat killed all the rats on the magic island was loudly applauded, especially when she proudly brought in handfuls of the .most realistic-looking rodents. The role of Dick Whittington was fetchingly played by Miss Isobel Young, whose cheery voice and manly swagger appealed greatly to all present. Miss Molly Brown was a dainty principal girl. Her glorious tresses were just of the type one used to read about. The Fairy Queen was charmingly played by Miss Garde Wilson, and Princess April Shower by Miss Rosalind Stott. Mr. Edward Parlett made a truly fearsome Demon, his shadow being most effectively portrayed by Mr. L. Singleton Smith. Miss Irene Spidy was in great form as the Cook, a role that more or less corresponded with the customary Dame. Mr. F. H. Dawn acquitted himself splendidly as the permanently tired Idle Jack, the villain of the show. Mr. Harry Plimmer was pompously hardhearted as the mean Aiderman Fitzwarren, whose heart finally softens in the last act; and Mr. Stanhope Andrews was satisfying in the role of Walla Walla, an islander. Miss Marjorie Arcus made a dainty messenger, and Misses Annette Strickland, Joan Anderson, Anne Blakiston, Eleanor Page, and Kertsy Page were most charming as the Fairy Queen’s attendants. The pirates’ dance on Highgate Hill was both novel and amusing, and the eccentric dance by the King of the Rats was a decided hit. Miss May Putnam acted as accompanist, and the incidental music was rendered by Miss Prue Lewis, L.A.B. (violin) ; Miss Ormi Reid, L.A.B. (’cello) ; and Miss May Putnam (piano). ' Mr. George Colledge was responsible for many novel lighting effects.