"THE MAGIC CARPET"

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 67, 17 September 1917, Page 9

"THE MAGIC CARPET"

Charming colour schemes and graceful little ballerinas were the features of "The Magic Carpet," performed by Mies Gladys Campbell's pupils and others at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night, in aid of the Countess of Liverpool's Trench Comforts Fund. It was described as a, musical pantomime play, but that hardly defined it It wa6 a delightful series" of dances and ballets, threaded together in the form of a fairy -story with choruses and spoken parts ; to make the meaning clear The plot'had in it a little of "Alice in Wonderland," and a little of Hans Andersen's fairy tales. As a silken thread. on which to string many jewels to delight the eye it served its purpose well. Dreamy Dick, Copy Cat, Alice and the March Hare are transported on the Magic Carpet to Wonderland, where the Red Queen is endeavouring to force Princess Yvonne to wed Prince Hiordis. The Princess . loves Prince Aucassin, but he, with the Magic Carpet, has been spirited away by the goblins. The Fairy Queen, the White Eabbit, and the March Hare, however, rescue Prince Aucassin, and restore the Carpet. This was the plot, but any sketch of fantasy would have done as well. It vu the children that afforded the greatest pleasure—and particularly the tiniest' tots. There, were four quaint little youngsters attired as Kewpies, who sang their little song "We Are Baby Kewpies Dancing-iii the Dew." without the least appearance of staginess, and created great merriment, with their steps and poees. The goblins also were delightful, especially the Goblin King (Elsie Dick). These little ones entered thoroughly into the spirit of. their part, and were really humorous . Another ballet, in which older people had a part, was that of the huntsmen and spinners, a spirited dance recalling- some features of the Russian ballet. Very charming also were, the floral ballets—crocuses and carnations.' The .fairies from time to time "flew" over the stage, creating fanciful effects. The final ensemble featured the Orchids, little girls quaintly representing the tropical flowers, hovering over other flowers and fairies. There were many more charming ballets, too numerous to mention.

The solo dances were all , artistic in conception and gracefull, in execution. Little Nancy Cook was charming in Le Pnpillon, and the Danse Joyeuae of Zelma Carroll .was a pretty performance. Joyce Couzcns won high commendation for her undoubtedly clever display in the Fairy Queen and ' Moth • dances. Frances Muter also showed marked grace and • ability. . •

The only vocal solos were by. Miss Hazel Fuller, who sang.'^Solveig Spng" (Greig), , and "Wake '■ Up" (Montague Phillips) in so pleasing a mannei that the audience would have been..glad to hear more.. There "was a. small but quite ■satisfactory orchestra., led. by Miss Madeline Webb, and a chorus of female voices which did. all that was required of it. The stasre settings were tasteful and adequate. The Fairy Palace, simple in conception, was quite artistic, and formed the-setting for a most effective colour scheme, wherein the bright' dresses of the dancers blended harmoniously.

The principal parts in the play wert taken as follow:—Dreamy Dick and Page, Bare Beckway; Copy Cat and 2nd Maid-of-Honour, Feo Smyth; Alice and Ist Maid-of-Hononr, Joyce Julian j .March Hare and Chancellor, Margery Lyoii/;'lst Spinnen Thelma Harris; Laura,-Hazel Hardwiclce ; Princess Yvonne and.'Gryphon and Ist Water Nymph, Hazel Fuller; Red Queen, Phyllis; Nicholls;; Prince: Hiordis, Mabel,Gailicban j Queen Maeve, Fairy Queen, Joyce Couzens; Carpenter, Rosrlyn Atkinson; Ist. Kewpie, 'Zelma Carroll;, Ist Lobster, Constance Morice; White Rabbit, Lorna Trengrpye; Goblin King, Elsie Dick; Ist Goblin, Nancy Cook;. Prince Ancassin, Ellen. Miller.

Tho audience, ■ which included Then Excellencies the Governor-General . and the Countess of. Livei-pool, was large and thoroughly appreciative. Miss Gladys Campbell was accorded an. ovation at the close of the performance, while floral and confection tributes were showered upon her pupils and assistants. The performance will be repeated. in the Opera House this evening.