AMUSEMENTS.

NZ Truth, Issue 149, 25 April 1908, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

« Cinderella."

Messrs William Anderson and John F. Sheridan have certainly nothing to complain of a1? the manner m which the play-going public of Wellington have taken to the pantomime of "Cinderella, or the Girl put her Foot m it." Opening last Saturday evening to a crammed house, the Opera House has been nightly packed by delighted audiences, and there is no suspicion that the panto, boom will burst during the remainder of the season. The public are pleased ; the management aimed at pleasing the public, and the success that has attended "Cindrella" is the best possible proof that Wellington theatre-goers t are satisfied. There is no existing doubt that the combination is a mammoth, one. The artists number 108, of Which 24 are very clever children. "Cinderella" will always bo Cinderella the poor drudge who put her dainty "tootsie" into a very small shoe and got a Prince for a bride. Just as Dick Whittington is associated with the golden-paved streets of London and the cat, so does Cinderella's story linger m the mind from childhood's days. It is needless to remark though that ouita a lot of new and up-to-date features have been introduced into the "panto ; features which make it the brightest and best, the wittiest and most whimsical extravaeanza ever produced m this windswept city. It abounds m songs and dances, local gags and quips Ihat every time bring down the house. It is a nanto m two acts, and we first see Santa Claus m his toy emporium waited upon by clamorous New Zealanders for a treat and "Cinderella" is. accordingly promis.' cd. Mephistyron, a wicked demon with a splendid baritone voice, swears all sorts of vengeance, ; ajnd in, vowing that Prince Charming shall lose his way m the woods, he does him a good turn as he comes upon "Cinderella," and loses his heart after having changed places with his valet. Then we are introduced to Baron Bounder's hall, where he brings his bouncing bride, ' "his, bitter 'alf " as the programme facetiously calls her,' Cinderella is a drudge m; this hous§, and we have the fairies transforming her into a beautiful and bewitching creature ang' she goes, as the old s^ory .tells us 'to the ball, where the Prince seeks for a bride, the /'tart" that can shove--"her-daisv root into the tiniest of shoes, and accordingly Cinderella does the trick and it takes another act to tell how she became the Princess. There are ballets and ballets, the principal being the Sapflho and Rainbow, the Snow onfl Robin There is the truly beautiful and ma-nifl-eent Porcelain March, and to. conclude, there is the Grand Transformation sceneThe part of Cinderella is perfectly nortraved.br M lS s Heba. Barlow, whilst Prince Charming i a m the very capable care of Miss Stella Stelbourne. Fair S i a v (a «F alr ;? r -,P ood Pair y) is ed by Miss Hilda Lane. rfndeed, every character is well sustained, John 5V Sheridan, cT course, as the Baroness.' '« the funniest creature ,in*agmable : rij>d' he is supported by a \jery talented bo,nd cf comedians. The scenery is teaufciful the tnwm-imgs and. all the mentals are. carefully arranged, m fact, afhthine has been left unattended t c , ■ OwSg *to the £"■£ °J *^ •■Trojp:aimae j the overture starts at 7.50 p.m.- sharp. A specialmatinee is atoned for this afternoon.'