A PANTOMIME.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 9

A PANTOMIME.

Mr. Alfred Laurie's "Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" pantomime company deserved a larger audience in the Concert Chamber, Town- Hall, than that to which . they played last evening, but _ no matter, . those who were there enjoyed the show, and by mentioning their enjoyment to others will ensure a better house this evening, when the final Wellington performance will be given. The attendances at the two matiness, yesterday and this afternoon, have. been altogether -satisfactory to the management, and the kiddies have been well pleased with the. old tale done into song and dance and endless nonsense. "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" is presented in the old-time panto fashion, with a racy principal boy, Miss Doris Bailey, the "garrulous old dame, Mr. Billy Evans, the narrowminded squire, Mr. Tom Lincoln, Goody Two Shoes, Miss Muriel Brown, who is also a talented and very dainty dancer, the good fairy, Miss Babs Kelly, the demon, Mr. Reg. Blow; Tom, the Piper's Son; and all the other characters of the old nursery tales and more thrown in for really good measure. The ballets, all of them well done, are arranged by Miss Brown, and the vocal numbers, both solo "work and chorus, are enjoyable. The whole panto goes through in dashing style, dialogue, music, dancing, and more lively dialogue. There is, as in all true-io-life fairy stories, a.fight for'power between the good fairy and the bad, and in the end the good fairy wins out handsomely, most folk marry most others, or promise to do so, a"hd everyone is well 'pleased— except the dfernon. An orchestra, under the direction of Miss Emily Stewart, makes for the further success of the panto, and the ballets and the burlesque Dame's school scene introduce four clever, little Wellington dancers, ■including one tiny tot whose solo dancing is particularly bright.

At the Ambassador Saturday evening is always a- busy day, and patrons are advised to reserve their tables. '" Fascination night" will be featured on Wednesday next.