THE PANTOMIME SEASON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4898, 18 June 1918, Page 6

THE PANTOMIME SEASON.

“DICK WHITTINGTON” AT THE OPERA HOUSE. A BRILLIANT SUCCESS. A sparkling spectacular success was achieved by the J. C. Williamson Pantomime Company in its presentation. of the pantomime “Lick Whittington” at the Opera House last evening. It is a somewhat striking fact that as year follows year the latest '■Williamson pantomime is always an improvement upon its predecessor and this is amply borne out by the “Lick Whittington*' spectacle, which is a vast advance upon the effort of 1917. The company, in i" pomt of personnel is practically the same, but the show is as different as chalk is from cheese. The old garish display and blare has given way to an artistic harmony and the many ballets and tableaux are arresting more for their skilful blending of color than their old idea of producing something -striking. The same may be said of the music and the company this year includes one or two really good voi'ces. notably Misses f Pauline Bindley, Pearl Ladd and Ethel Walker. The story too, follows tlio original more closely than usual and the promoters have taken full advantage of Dick’s adventures with the cat in Morocco to introduce some wonderful Eastern dances and some glowing tropical scenes. The mountings as a whole are little short of magnificent and the effects produced are marvels of stage craft this applying particularly to the scene in which Dick dreams and hears the bells with their prophetic chant “Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London.” Dancing is the strongest feature of the production and in addition to beautiful and novel ballets the company has the support of Miss Maggie Dickinson as premiere danseuse and is also strengthened by other clever dancers in Miss Maud Amery and Mr Sydney Yates. A clever ensemble was a war ballet in which the vampire War (Miss Amery) lures Civilisation (Mr Yates) away from Peace (Miss Dickinson). The great clash of the nations is .dramatically illustrated and War is eventually overcome and Peace restored. The dainty “Vogue” ballet was another striking success. Miss Vera Pearce is again principal boy and plays the role with outstanding success, her presence, charm and personal magnetism creating a most favourable impression. Miss Pearce lias some catchy and attractive music which she made the best of. Her first item “When the Boys Come Home,” created great enthusiasm as did the lilting ‘Hong Kong,”" and the beautifully conceived “Hawaiian Butterfly,” while her duet with Miss Bindley “By-and-By ■ You Will Miss Me,” was one of the most popular items of the evening. Miss Pauline Bindley makes a bewitching and dainty principal girl and her sweet soprano voice was much (admired. Her best number was “The Songs Mother used to Sing,” which elie gave with rare effect. As the dame, Mr. Arthur Stiga'nt scored a big success and his comedy was ably hacked up by Messrs Wm. Fullbrook, Claude Bantock, Ernest Longford, Howard Vernon and ! Harry Roxbury, the latter being particularly clever as “Idle Jack.” Some excellent dramatic singing was done by Mr Villers Arnold, “the rat king” his song “King of the Night,” being remarkably well done. Miss Constance Cayley, who was “second boy,” j was very successful and her patriotic song, “One of the Boys,’’ was highly appreciated by the audience. Two little tots, Misses Thelma Burness and Margery Wiggs scored distinct little successes of their own. The cat was played in inimitable fashion by Mr Billy le Bran. The introduc- , tion of the Camille troupe of acrobats ; • and horizontal bar exponents was the outstanding feature of the evening. The trio are remarkably clever, while their comedy is splendid. The audience could not have enough of them. A matinee performance will be given this afternoon and the season will be brought to a close this evening.