“THE FORTY THIEVES.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18872, 26 May 1923, Page 8

“THE FORTY THIEVES.”

r-A SPECTACULAR PANTOMIME. The second barrel of the J. C. Williamson Company gun was tired at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the much-heralded pantomime, 'The Forty Thieves,” was staged for the first time. Toi say that the shot found its mark would be ' a mild way of describing the effect ■which the production had on the large audience ’ present. The spectators were transported to an atmosphere of wonder attet romance. For the time being they lived • and moved and had their being in the glamour of the Orient. They were witnesses of an Arabian Night’s Entertainment. . The modern pantomime is a colossal production. It depends for Its success on its comedy, its music, its dancing, and its scenic-effects. The plot is altogether unimportant, except that it must boar, if only In Its nomenclature; some shadowy, resemblance to the original and , must introduce iotfier bizarre features that will delight the young folk. In each and all of these particulars “The Forty Thieves” attains its objective, and in doing so it satisfactorily fulfils the, traditions of pantomime. Comedy is one of its central features. Perhaps It is' not a .species of comedy that is particularly subtle in its manifestations, but nevertheless it ' suffices to punctuate the jpiece ’ with a succession of laughs and to Keep.it moving forward gaily and joyously. The music may not be grand opera, but it is bright and tuneful, and many of (he songs are sung so effectively as_ to Unger pleasantly in the memory. The dancing throughout is. the very Highest plane, and the beauty and rhythm of many qLThe" ballets through which the solo part runs'as a gleaming thread of silver makes thoiji ■ a-dominant feature of the production. Bpt it is in the wealth and novelty of its. scenic effects that “The Forty Thieves” sch’res' most heavily. From beginning to It is a riot of colour and a blaze of light-,in which dainty femininity has ample opportunity for flaunting. its charms of mariner and personality as well as those physical graces and attractions which the demands of the modern stage do not make it nebessary to hide under a bushel. Mouftti»gs.vand dressings alike are on a lavish and elaborate scale, and the constantly ' changing stage panorama provides a setting of) great beauty for the delightful colour scheme of life and movement that occupies the foreground. As a pantomime it is a.-satisfying spectacle-—o gay and conial ' interlude.' and if it does not quite attain the standard of some of its predecessors it is sufficiently equipped as a means of entertainmnet to command large audiences during the period of its staging and to win the hearty approval of young and olsL . , •Ilpon the ample and capable shoulders of Mr Jack Cannot, who is never so much at home as in pantomime, devolves the task of providing the bulk of the comedy, e'titHft rises fully to the occasion. Cast as Ali Baba, he has a part to fill which provides him with ample scope for fun-making, ,an 3 in song and dance and patter interlude , he takes full advantage of all the .opportunities! that come his way. From ■ his first highly-diverting song, “The Thomas Cat,” its incongruous medley of well-known iiirs;.),to his final chorus number, “Are -You Working—No Are You?” he was the central. figure around whom the action revolved, and at all times he had the audience- -on his aide, laughing at him and with him. As Cogia— or' Mrs—Baba, Mr Jop'.Brennan was seen in the role of a pantomime dame, and he gave a clever impersonation of a part in which he had to make, most of his own fun. That he did so. well, is a tribute to his natural aoility and inherent sense of humour. Throughout, the ..evening ho was an admirable "foil for 'Mr Cannot in the provision of the comedy element, and these two indulged in much excellent fooling that was frequently mere burlesque, but was entirely wholesome, and free from any blemish. Mr Brennan’s most successful song was “Girl Scouts,” the vocal portion of which was by some patter that hgd the merit of, originality. An essential feature of every ■ pantomime 'is a principal “boy” and a, principal girl, and these two highly important roles were adequately Oiled by Miss Mona Magnet and Miss Phyllis Beadon - respectively. As Ganem, AH Baba’s 1 son)’Miss Magnet dispossessed her paternal Btuge-'-relative of his title as the original hero of the story, but she filled the role so. daintily and so charmingly as to ensure forgiveness. Her fine stage presence, enhanced by a winning smile, compels admiration, and Mias Magnet adds to her other attributes a pleasing voice and a knowledge of singing. Her principal songs were •‘Pn.lestina,” “Yoo Hoo,” and “Guncla-ga.i,”:-the last-named of which had about it a strong Australian flavour and which was raised above the level of tho ordinary by tho pleasing manner in which the refrain was taken up by four “sundowners.” Miss Phyllis Beadon as Margiana, made a very fair and attractive principal girl, using a sweet soprano voice to excellent effect in her musical numbers. “Garden of Dreams” and “ Out of the Shadows.” Miss Ida Newton is convincingly martial as the captain of the .forty thieves, and her two lieutenants, Messrs George Willoughby and Norman Lee, are a desperate pair of bri«ands with an air of bold abandon. Miss >aisy Yates is happily cast as a lady detective, and is at all times graceful and vivacious. Mr Reginald Roberts presents the part of the niggardly Cassin Baba, and Mr Joe Morris makes a very comical donkey, with a penchant at times for acrobatic achievement. The principal exponents of dancing are Miss Phyllis Amery and Mr Frederick Mackay, who invested all they did with vigour, grace, and no small amount of artistry, notably in the dance at the close of the first act. Miss Yates also partners Mr AJackgy in a very effective tango of what might, bo termed an ultra-modern type Edgcly and Dawe lend bariety to tho terpsiohorean portion of the entertainment by Introducing several specialty and comedy ■ dapees.. and they earned a warm measure of applause for all they did. The ballet is a very strong one and does much to lighten and brighten the whole production, while some clever juveniles are responsible for an effective parade of Tin Soldibr.s as well as taking their share iu the concerted dances and ensembles. Mello and, .Nello perform some very lemarkablo feajs of hand-balancing and acrobatics that are an outstanding feature and they also tukN'pfU-t in a noisy interlude of knockabout comedy that has a humour of its owrf. Thfv scenic and lighting effects are splendidly contributed throughout and the ensembles at the close of each of the two acts are spectacular. triumphs. ' The 1 orchestra, under Moulton, is responsible for producing the. desired atmosphere and some of r rib£t' : accompaniments were very finely played*.notably that to Miss Magnet’s song “Ydp,"'Hoo.” There will be a children’s matinee this afternoon as- well os the usual evening perloringnco.