HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19197, 13 June 1924, Page 7

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

“ALADDIN - .” The “Aladdin” {Pantomime season was opened at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when, despite the very stormy weather, there was a good attendance. The present staging of this old-time popular pantomime is marked by some magnificent spectacular Meets, from the opening Chinese scene to the beautiful living chandelier scene which brings the performance to a close. Nothing more striking; has indeed been seen on a Dunedin stags than this chandelier setting, ' with its groupings, of beautifully-dressed girls. The writer of the book, moreover, has maintained all the Eastern atmosphere associated with the panto., and has also made ample provision for the introduction of comedy situations, charming dances, and chorus work. 'The adventures which follow Aladdin in his search of the magic lamp and the fortune and heart’s desire which follow on its finding need not: be recapitulated —they are the recognised adventures with the usual happy ending. '.The fact that the famous singing coniedionenno Miss_ Ada Reeve was to take the part of Aladdin invested it with particular interest, and she was warmly welcomed on her first appearance on the stage. Maybe a trifle stilted at the start, she quickly threw off any trace of self-consciousness and: proved herself an ardent wooer of the daughter of the great Emperor. In the first part Miss Reeve appeared in a kind of Chinese costume, but in the second act she made a charming figure in. a white peruke and courtier’s costume. Miss Reeve played the part on lines which showed her individuality and originality, and in the second act particularly she presented an interpreta-, tion which won the full admiration of the audience. She was particularly effective in the cave scene, and her artistry in this particular scene reached a very high level, Aladdin’s fears and final determination to ’risk all and-enter the dark and forbidding cavern being realistically brought out; Miss Reeve’s acting, indeed, grew on one as the' pantomime proceeded, and Aladdin had the happiest wishes of his audience when he at last overcame all difficulties and won Princess So-Shi. Miss Reeve is supported by three excellent comedians. Mr George, Welch, the wicked magician, who has won the favour of Dunedin audiences on previous appearances here, had a very fine conception of the saturnine humour of the part, and played with a sure insight throughout. The widow Twankery was made .one of the successes of the pantomime by Mr Tom Payne, who had the audience in roars of laughter with his general deportment and quaint asides, while his several intimate talks with his audience also evoked much merriment. Mr Hector St. Clair appeared as Wishee Washee, the Widow Twankoy’s laundry assistant, and he, too, proved a great funmaker. both in this part and in his solo efforts as an entertainer. The part of the Emperor’s daughter was taken by Miss Hope Charteris. Miss Charteris is the possessor of a sweet if not very robust voice, and acted with charm. Mr Fred Monument appeared as the Vizier’s son, and sang well throughout; Mr Gus Bluett looked • a fearsome Emperor, and Mr Grafton Wil- ■ liains enacted the part of the Vizier. The minor parts were also capably filled. Of the musical numbers nothing mot with more approval from the audience than the duet between Miss Reeve and Miss Charteris. “Can You Forget?” and the humorous “Girls of the Old Brigade,” by Mr Payne and chorus, was also another most successful item. ' . A number of excellent specialties were presented at Intervals, the most laughable' of these being (hat by Mr Welch and Mr Bluett. These two performers essayed the trade of painters at a mental hospital, and the manner in which they threw the paint on the wall, on themselves, and on* everybody who came near them had the house in roars of laughter, which were even more pronounced when tne two painters got into all sorts of eccentric positions in their at- ■ tempt to escape from one of the patients. Messrs Payne. Welch, and Bluett also appeared iii a diverting travesty on the game of “put and take,” and Mr St. Clair, ea stated, appeared in solo comedy turns. Mr Kelso Henderson and Miss Phyllis Amery gave an attractive dancing turn, aond a striking acrobatic and balancing act was staged by the three Nitos. The performance of the Nitos, indeed, has seldom,, if ever, been excelled on a Dunedin stage. Of the manv fine stage settings the most notable were “A Street in Pekin. ’ The Willow Pattern Garden, ‘Aladdin s Palace,” and the final wonderful living chandelie“ Aladdin” will be staged again this evening. , *