“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.”

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1922, Page 3

“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.”

PANTOMIME SEASON. The pantomime has an evtygreen subtle attraction for both old and young so that one was not surprised to find a bumper house ready to greet the firset presentation of “Old Mother Hubbard” by Stanley McKay’s brilliants company, at Pollard’s Opera House last night. In the characters of the Panto we are made to renew our acquaintance with the well known characters of the fairy tales which were our childhood’s delight, and whose exploits filled us with awe and wonder. The whole production *«.as worthy of the highest praise, nothing that could make for perfection was omitted; the mounting, bullets, music, chorus, and principals, all gravitating to a common centre of success. The whole production was supported by Pollard’s orchestra, which was under the conductorship of Mr Wallingford Tate, and in its rendering of the incidental music, and accompaniments, left nothing wanting. At appropriate intervals the following specialities were introduced:— Arthur and Rubee Bertram, in their latest dance creations, in which they gave an exhibition of torpsichorean art where grace and litheness wore cleverly intermingled. Mr Fred White, a jazz voilinist, who presented a potpourri of quite acceptable fare, in “ Ki Harney, ” an imitation of bagpipes, and a couple of jazzes. The latter played the appropriate eccentric movement. Miss Laurie McLeod, in her Egyptian dances demonstrated cleverness in the weird sinuous motions of the Orient. Miss McLeod had the honour of appearing in her dances before H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. Of the principals, the comedy was provided by Mr George liarpur„ as Old Mother Hubbard: Mr Arthur Bertram, as Archibald Hubbard, and Miss Rubee Raymond, as Sally Horner. They were “always there” and created roars of laughter with their faus-pas and patter. The part of Bluebell was well sustained by Miss Lulu Fanning. Gammadelta, a mighty ruler of Hafiz was capably taken by lifiss Beryl Austin. The musical numbers were well rendered throughout; the singing, altogether, being much above the usual pantomime standard. The dancing in the several ballets was clean and bright, and was enhanced by th-e fine lighting effects. Old Mother Hubbard will be repeated this evening, and, to give the children an opportunity of witnessing the panto, there will be a matinee this afternoon when the children will be admitted for the small charge of 1/1. We predict a huge

successful season for this talented Company during its tour of the West Coast.