SHERIDAN'S PANTOMINE AT THE PUBLIC HALL.

Grey River Argus, 4 August 1908, Page 3

SHERIDAN'S PANTOMINE AT THE PUBLIC HALL.

One of .the largest audiences that has ever been seen in. 'Greymouth, congregated together last night to see the initial performance of Messrs Sheridan and Anderson's grand spectacular pantomine "Cinderella." Long before eight o'clock there was scarcely stand ibg room, seats, chair etc having to be procured to try 'and seat the people, bu; many had to be refused admission.

The plot of "Cinderella" is hardly necessary to describe. It is one of those performances that seem to grow up from the time of our childhood. Every child .knows the story of "Cinderella and the glass slipper" and the naughty, ugiy sisters, and the designing father and mother who would try and wed the Prince .to one of their "fair" dauighiters. This charming panvcaviuc. opens with the scene cf Santa Claus iri blis toy 'shop, amd there the audience is first introduced to such delightful characters' "'as "Simbad the Sailor" "Robinson Crusoe" the ".Babes in the Woods" and a host of others, with which all children, are so familiar and delghitful. ' This scene also introduces "Fair Star" the fairy godmother and poot little Cinderella s "Good Fairy" who by the way, ha's_ a lovely voice arid fairly captivated the audience. As the plot goes on, w^ich ed, and we ar c launched in£o ye "Home of the Demion Spirits" (Messrs Ricardo arid Miller )7 If the scene depicted ori the stage, with its inhabitants of demons, devils, hobgoblins etc is ni/i lealistic enough for the most fastidious, we advise them to go to the "ibwer- regions" afc once. Here Mr Jack Hia'gen (Buttons) in his song "What to do" an eccentric dance, is immediately made a favourite with the audience. As theplot goes on, which is simply brimming over with l'un and merriment, the King of modern comedians has arrived. Mr J. F. Sheridan — as the Baroness. There is nu use to. try to describe his' wittisms — you must go to hear him. He had the vast audience in convulsions of laughter. The duet between the Baroness (Mr Sheridian) and Buttons (-Mr Hayes) "Pass the Soap" as they washed tae clothes, was simply a gem of comedy. People will never be called the vulgar word "liar" any more. The rule of Cinderella was ably portrayed by Mils Heba Barlow, who js a charming littlo actress. The audience was greatly pleased when her fairy godmoth'er,with the .assistance of about fif tv lovely fames transformed her from the' 'slavey to the beautiful princess, and watched with greati interest her departure in her carriage to the Prince's ball. The ballroom scene is excellent. There Cindeirelila meets the prince, all so the Baron (Mr Thoima's Curren) and Baroness. This scene affords great amusement. The poor Baron has rather a bad .time cf it with his wife and daughters Violet and TDaphine (Miss Home Faming and Mr J. Lanphier). Miss Stella SeHbourne makes a very loving Prince Charming, and had a real right royal time with Gin-dereli-i at the ball. All goes well until 12 o'clock- and Cinderella hurries away, leaving the glass slipper behind her. The hunting tor the lady who lost the slipper, the slipper being tried on by the- bad, naughty, ugly sisters, and even the Baroness, and finally fi.Ps tlie dainty little foot of Cinderella^ and finally bethfothed to the prince, brings the dedighbful performance to a close. During the pantomine the educated acrobatic cow is introduced. ' Messrs Morris and Wilson, "thie cow" know their business well, and were highly successful. The acrobatic burglars are really funny. The fun and acrobatic feats of these gentlemen s really good. The ballets by about forty little dots as "Little Robin Red Breasts" etc is alone well worth the price of < M.rmtis , sion. The skirt dances and ballad's by this large company of chatrming young, ladies is delightful. The performance is intersperced by songs, trios, duets etc. The grand tmansTonm ation scene which we have no heitation in. saying is the very finest ever seen in Greymouth, being simply beautiful. The whole performance is concluded by a Harlequinade, which is only a continuance of the fun which .has establish ed Messrs Anderson and Sheridan's Company the best that has yet visited this town.

To-night Cinderella will be repeated and we stronigly advise any one who waiits a seat to go early, otherwise we doubt if they will obtain standing room. On Wednesday there will be a matinee fox the children and "The Eari and the Gill" will be staged in the evening.