PANTOMIME

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 11

PANTOMIME

•"THE FOBTY THIEVES.'

There are two classes of persons who should not go to the pantomime—and if they do go, they should be publicly put out. They are the boy who knows all about it and explains it, and the adult person who has seen it all before and seen it better. Such persons would cast shadows even over a spotlight, and spoil the enjoyment of the child who sees pantomime for the first time. They can never be pleased. All others can be, and were by " The Forty Thieves " last night. There are all the essentials of pantomime entertainment in the new show, but it is especially strong in comedy. Miss Mona Magnet has a smile wliich would win favour for any principal boy, and this is not her only charm. 'She sings delightfully in "Palestina" and such pantomime songs. She has one song, " Gundagai," which may lay claim to be Australian, and to owe nothing to American fashions. It introduces four sundowners, a male quartet who take up the refrain and quite lift the item above the ordinary level. Mr. Jack Cannot is Ali Baba, and he wins his usual success, whether he is leading a "community "sing;" in his own style or playing high tragedy with the robust Dame (Mr. Joe Brennan). Ali Baba and the Dame have a duet all of their own, " Nobody's Bose," and they burlesque inimitably the sentiment of musical comedy and melodrama, with just those touches of pantomime which bring the house down. Edgely and Dawe are so well established in favour that they have only to appear to start the laughter. " Put " and " Take " are the names they carry on the programme, and they win every time. In a mechanical set " Mending a Clock," they are at their best, and make endless fun with very little material. "On the Nancy Lee," with a hornpipe danced solemnly, is another of their successes. Miss Phyllis Beadon (Morgiana) is the principal girl, fair and dainty. She has a sweet soprano voice, and knows how to sing. " Persian Rug " is her best song. It suggests the melodies of the East, and is, indeed, much better than is usually heard in pantomime. Mies Ida Newton as the Captain of the Forty Thieves struts bodly, and has the proper martial spirit. Her brigand lieutenants, Popoffski and Machonochie, are presented by Messrs. George Willoughby and/.. .Norman Lee. Mr. Reginald Roberts is the . miserly Cassd'm Baba Then there, is the Donkey (Mr. Joe Morris), a most comical animal. Some exceptionally fine dancing is introduced. Miss Phyllis Amery and Mr Frederick Mackay hold a high place as dancers, and their work throughout the entertainment is marked by much grace and no little artistry. Particularly attractive ia their dance as the spirit of the Cave and the Yellow Idd in the Robbers' Cave scene. Miss Daisy Yatos | also has a partnership with Mr. Mackay in a tango brought up to date. Edgely and Dawe have their own style of dancing, and no ballet could possibly keep up with them. In fact, they cannot keep up with themselves. The' ballet is reinforced by some clever children,' who are responsible for the Toy Soldiers' scene, realistically presented to the music of " The Parade of the Tin Soldiers." Mello and Nello do extraordinary acrobatic work, and make light of ic. Part of their turn is a " comedy stunt," but even that cannot conceal their unusual cleverness in most difficult feats. The pantomime scenery is bright, and many of the scenes have genuine artistic merit. The costuming is as brilliant aa that expected from the J. C. Williamson pantomime companies. "The Forty Thieves" will be repeated to-night.