POPULAR PANTOMIME

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 5

POPULAR PANTOMIME

“Jack and the Beanstalk” A delighted audience of children filled the Concert Chamber on Saturday afternoon, when the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk” was presented by the Children’s Theatre-players. The numerous well-staged scenes were filled with exciting incidents, bright songs and dances, and the attention of the audience was held through every moment. v The first act opened outside the cottage where Jack lived. A group of imps and gnomes in brilliant green ana scarlet tunics and peaked caps went through a sprightly dance. Azelle (Laurie Jones), the fairy who was banished from Fairyland for forgetting to put dew on the rosebushes, appeared in their midst dressed in yellow. “Cuckoo,” Mother Grubble’s spotty cow, lumbered on to the stage and thoroughly upset Peterklns (F. H. Dawn) and his companion Rufus (Harry Plirnmer). Then she surprised everyone by showing how well she could dance. “Cuckoo” was played by Margaret Pearson and Hilda Barrow. Jack, played by Isobel Young, made his first appearance in a striking jerkin of royal blue and red. . In the final scene he looked even more splendid in green and gold with a plumed hat. Princess Flavla and Prince Donzil, the villains of the piece, who, however, repented at the, last, were played by

Marjorie Arcus and Ngalre Horton. Flavia wore two charming court gowns, one in a dull crimson shade and another pale pink. Prince Donzil was strikingly dressed in emerald green and black with a feathered cap. Mother Grabble (Irene Spidy) and the Giant’s wife (Kyrsty Page) looked matronly and industrious, while the giant (E. Stanhope Andrews) was a towering and fiercesome figure. Annette Strickland was the kidnapped Princess Chrlstobel, who is found by Jack after arduous adventure and brought back to her father, the King (Rosalind Stott). She wore apricot velvet while caged in the Giant’s kitchen, and in the final scene appeared in a lovely wedding gown of white bespangled satin and long veil. Her bridesmaids looked, very sweet in long white frocks with puffed sleeves of pink, and coronets of flowers. Azelle is a dainty mauve and silver fairy at the close of the pantomime. The elves, gnomes, gipsies, reapers and bridesmaids were:—Joan Anderson, Eileen Fearn, Paula Matthews, Hilda Barrow, Annette Strickland, Margaret an[l Molly Keating, Margaret Pearson, Kyrsty and Eleanor Page, Ngaire Horton, Ngaire Andrews, Erie Robinson. The dances were arranged by Margaret Pearson and Miss May Putnam was the accompanist. Very good incidental music was supplied by Prue Lewis, L.A.B. (violin) and Orini Reid, L.A.B. (piano). Mrs. C. W. Earle, with her practical advice and assistance, has once more shown her great interest in the Children’s Theatre. Among the audience were: Mrs. C. W. Earle, Mrs. Philip Cooke, Miss Page, Mr. and Mrs. D., Perry, Mrs. H. F. O’Leary, Mrs. H. Plimmer, Mrs. G. Wilson, Mrs. Spidy, Mrs. Pearson, Miss Lorna Donne, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Hawke, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Matthews, Mr. W. M. Page, Mrs. Robertson, Mr. H. J. Stott and Miss M. Stott. Mrs. Arcus, Mrs. Irwin. Miss V. Atkin, Mr. C. William, Miss Cecily Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Robb and Miss Robb, Mr. David Devitt, Misses E. and D. Wilkinson, Garde Wilson, Molly Brown, Girleen Griffiths. The performance will be repeated next Saturday.