DRAMA OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 3 (Supplement)

DRAMA OF THE DAY.

The cast, of « Sinbad the Sailor," the J. and. IS. Tait and Bailey and Grant pantomime opening at Christmas at Melbourne, will include Jennie Hartley, principal boy; Jack Cannot (Tinbid the Tailor), Edgeley and Dawe, new pantomime specialty artists, comedians, and dancers, from London; William Hassan v th© oat K Elsie Parkea (premiere danBeuso), Kelso Henderson (premier danEonr), and others. One of the spectacular features of the pantomime will be the wreck at sea, with a change of scene to underneaih the sea, and a gorgeous coral ballet This ballet, it is paid, will bo one of the finest things of the kind ever seen in Australia. The effect will be added to by realistic water effects, with fish, nnder-water vegetation, and other rcalistio details. Musical attractions of the first order continue to be conspicuous on Sydney playbills, public, as ever, is highly appreciative of the fare. " The Girl for tho Boy " continues to attract great audiences at tho Tivoli. It is a very bright production, in which particularly gocxl work is done by Misa Lse White, Clay Smith, Victor Gouriet, and George Gee. At the Palace " The Marriage of Kitty," in which Miss Marie Tempest made her Australian debut; has been revived with much success. Miss Tempest promises an entirely new piece soon. This is "At the Barn," by an English author, Mr. Anthony Wharton, who«e comedy has been well received in London. At Her Majesty's the everpopular " So Long, Letty," was recently revived, with Miss Dorothy Brnnton in association with George Willoughby, Field Fisher, Alfred Firth, Hetty Hartley, Mario Eaton, and other favourites, in the cast. At Christmas time amusement caterers are wont to speak of "a slack time; ' but there is plenty of activity behind the scenes. Though pantomime is not looked forward to with such keen anticipation in Svdnev as in Melbourne, the Messrs. Fuller will see to it that something wortli while is provided in that direction. Their firm will stage two pantomime productions. At the Grand Opera House " Bluebeard " will make an appearance early in " the festive season." At their Majestic Theatre, Newtown, " The Babes in the Wood" will be seen on Boxing Day. Mr. Jamieson Dodds, the famous English operatic baritone, is in Sydney under special engagement to lead in*" The Lilac Domino," which was set down for December 18. " The Lilac Domino " ran to close on three years in London, and Mr. Dodds is the original Andre of the piece. With Mr. Dodds in " The Lilac Domino" will be Miss Rene Maxwell, the brilliant Australian soprano. _ She takes the part of the ir 1, and is giving an excellent impression at the rehearsals. Hra' voice is in wonderful form, and there is a, naiveness about her acting that will be most attractive. Miss Ivy Shilling, who was in the London cast with Mr. Dodds, will give her original Lilac Domino dances, associated with Mr. A. H. Majilton. This will mark Miss Shilling's first appearance in Sydney since she went abroad to captivate London. Mr. George Gee will add to the strength of the cast, while others are Marie La Varre. Hugh Steyne, John Delacey, William \ alentine, and Moya Chanee. A play, based on " Tarzan of the Apes," has been staged at Brixton, England. Strenuous efforts have been made to realise the atmosphere of the jungle. Among the actors are two elephants, a lion, a hyena, monkeys, baboons, and apes, and macaws, not to mention several real niggers, and those skilful animal impersonators, Leon du Bois and Edward Sillwnrd. Fortunately, Ronald Adair is well fitted to play Tarzan, having a muscular appearance and an athletic carriage. Ivy Carlton is the heroine, and Campbell Goldsmid is Weff.