THE PANTOMIME SEASON

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3627, 13 September 1912, Page 7

THE PANTOMIME SEASON

•WINBAD THE SAILOR.'’ The latest theatrical bon-bon presented bv J. C. AYilliamson. Ltd., will be pulled at His Majesty’s Theatre by the Sinbnd the Sailor Company on Monday next, and many are the good things promised for the acceptance of an expectant public. It takes -a record aggregation of Air W illiamson’s stage people (seen and behind the scenes) and three- full hours to tell tin- story of the. immortal Persian mariner and his incursion into tno fabled Valley of Diamonds. Undoumedly one of the biggest features of the pantomime. From tlio moment when the curtain rises on the exquisite conception of a Mermaid’s Home to its final fall on the gorgeous colors of Lollipop Land, the stage presents a glorious succession of beautiful settings. Particularly worthy of remark were such scenes as “The Home of the Serpent,” “The Cascade of Jewels,” “Valley of Diamonds.” “.Persian. Rose Garden,” and “Lollipop Land,” the jewel scenes being of dazzling brilliancy and the other two of magnificent splendour in coloring. Similarly the costuming lends significance to the term “Oriental Opulence,” while the storm, that on the Whale’s back, and Diamond Rose, and Lollipop ballets are quite up to the best Williamson standard. The Deck scene in the the Serpent of the Valley, are also evidence that the mechanics of the stage are in hands thoroughly competent. . . T he thrill of the piece is provided bv two rosebuds from the garden of undeniably pretty ballet roses swing-; ing far out into the auditorium and scattering flowers during their flight, before joining hands in mid-air to make a- backward flight to the stage. A real “hit” comes in a. weird illusion sketch bv the way in which toe Slcedes completely mystify all onlookers and at the same time keep them in a simmer of laughter. Enter Dame Sinbad in the J. C. AYilliamson pantomime of “Sinbad tne Sailor.” “Her abode? See the hen and chickens at the corner of the road in Bloomsbury?” She lives next “it,” and it is the only neighbor with whom she is on visiting terms. AVlien Sinbad wedded her he said he was a mate, but she found put he was a skipper. So Air “Pip” Powell runs the gallery gamut of comedy per medium of the garrulous grass widow who condescends to treat a Sultan familiarly, and attaches herself to the returned Sinhad with the pertinacity of a doubting spouse, clinging to him and to her bottle of comfort through all his last adventures —the ridiculous incongruity of Bloomsbury unabashed in a Persian atmosphere. ’ The box plans for the two performances and matinee are now open at Miller’s. TakelT all round Sinbad the Sailor is likely to prove a. thing of beauty and a joy for the two nights and Tuesday’s matinee it will lie presented.