CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 63, 7 December 1940, Page 8

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

It is now some years since a Christmas pantomime was seen in Wellington, so "Red Riding Hood,” which will be presented by the Victoria League in the Opera House next Saturday afternoon, should be enjoyed by children and adults alike. All the most popular figures of the pantomime come to _ life ' again— Mother Hubbard, the traditionad “Dame,” the “funny man,” in this ease two comic policemen who are always quarrelling and mixing up their orders; the beautiful dairy queen; the wicked old witch, who is worsted in the end ; and, of course, the heroine. Red Riding Hood; the hero, Prince Charming, and the villain, King Wolf. Several attractive ballets, including a fairy ballet, on toes, bright and tuneful songs, and a full chorus of more than 50, make this an outstanding production. The principals include Joyce Webster, as Red Riding Hood; Joan Goodwin, as Prince Charming; Bessie MeKinlay, as King Wolf; and Hamish Henderson, as the garralous “dame.” Marjorie Millar, as the fairy queen, and Gwen Harrison, as the witch, are the effective contracts of good and evil, aud some of the brightest spots of the showare caused by the cross-talk of Marjorie Osborne and Pat Gledhill, as the two “dumb” policemen, while even “dumber” is Joan Wilson as Simple Simon. W. S. Wauehop is the director, J. F. Woodward, musical director, Cora Duncan, ballet mistress and soloist, Merle Stewart, the wardorbe mistress, and Bessie McKinlay the organizer. Proceeds will go to support the Victoria League’s Hostel for men overseas.