THE PANTOMIME SEASON

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4155, 4 February 1916, Page 2

THE PANTOMIME SEASON

OLD MOTHER. HUBBARD.”

ANOTHER BRIGHT PRODUCTION

Stanley McKay’s Royal Pantomime Company continued its season at the Opera House last night when it staged ‘‘Old Mother Hubbard and Her Dog.” The pantomime which is filled with original and catchy music was received with applause by the audience. Especially did those present applaud a number of patriotic songs, without which no pantomime is complete nowadays. The plot, what there is of it, centres round the love affairs of Bluebell, Old Mother Hubbard’s daughter, and Robin Goodfellow, who is rightfully t-lie ruler of the surrounding kingdom of Dumdoodledumdoo. His uncle, Ganimadelta, ousts him when a boy, and hides the papers proving Robin’s right to the throne in the witches’ cave. Gammadolta falls in love with Bluebell, and attempts to win her by mean s of a bogus lottery. One stipulation is that should the winner prove to be a woman she must marry Gaminadelta and share the throne Vith him. He arranges that Bluebell shall hold the winning number, hut unfortunately for the schemer she changes with her mother and the bogus king is compelled to offer marriage t,o Die lady, who, to say the least, is well on in the autumn of life, and well nigh into its winter. A great deal of fun centres round the fact that Mother Hubbard has a husband, Archibald, who she endeavors to place unsuecessfiilly on the retired list. The pantomime opens in the witches’ cave, and passes in succession through scenes depicting the home of the Hubbards, the palace of Dumdood’ledumdoo, then balck to the witches’ cave, and finally concluding in the Throne room at the palace. The various parts are well sustained, and a number of tuneful lyrics are sung by tlie principals. During the first act Mr "Will Speed gives a splendid exhibition of trick cycling, nothing better of its kind having been shown on a local stage. During the second act the marvellous Fredos. acrobatic violinists, gave an exhibition of tumbing of a very novel kind that met with the hearty approval of the audience. The following is the cast of characters: —Gammadelta, Mr Richard Dunbar; Archibald, Mr Will Raynor; Robin, Miss Essie Jennings; Blue Belle, Miss Rosie Coleman; Sally Horner, Miss Carmen Coleman ; Hafiz, Miss Rubie Raymond; Innocentia, Miss Annie Lillilund; Ponto, himself; Pansy Hubbard, Mr James Gerald. The costumes and scenery add greatly to the success of the pantomime, whilst the dialogue is full of wit and humor. ‘‘Old Mother Hubbard” will be repeated to-night, and will give place on Saturday to ‘‘Cinderella, which will be staged at a matinee in the afternoon and again in the evening. At the matinee special prices have been arranged for children,