CHILDREN AND PANTOMIMES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 5

CHILDREN AND PANTOMIMES.

Going to see the annual pantomime was one of the events that stood out in our childish days as being worthy of the adjective “great.” It was linked with a few others—-Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, birthday, and break-up day, and was looked forward to with unfailing eagerness. Had cur parents neglected to take us when the time came round, we should have mourned for a whole year. Of course, from a grown-up point of view, there was something so similar about all pantomimes we went to —whether “Cinderella.” “Buss in Roots.” or ‘Mother Goose”- that they were not nearly so enthusiastic about them as we wore. But wo never tired. Year alter year we sat in rapture through three hours of magic, and every year wo almost, wept when it was time to leave. We never failed to shriek with mirth over the antics ot the Dame and her colleagues; we ever marvelled at the speed with which the fairy scenes moved up and down : every year we sighed blissfully over the splendour of the ballot; and every year we loved (he Princess and went home to practise gymnastics that would make our legs as beautiful as those of (he principal boy. Also, we annually decided that when we were grown up and away from parental influence we would join the pantomime and play for onrselves all the parts wo loved best On Saturday T took four tinies to the matinee of “Aladdin.” 1 hoped it would prevent mv feeling bored, for T am past, the “tiny” stage now. and perhaps need fresh stimulus lo rouse me to the old enthusiasm. I was not disappointed. To see their small, awed faces in the hist scene where the wizards appear in smake and flame to the sound of thunder, to near their gurgling laughter when Wishee Washce and Widow Twankey exchanged pleasantries, to appreciate their anxiety for the safety of Aladdin when he was in the cave were all a liberal education. It left mo convinced of two things. It : s not had. but good, to be grown up at a pantomime, for it means, first, that we are able to appreciate beauty of light t,nd colour that were too elusive to be noticed in our younger days, and, second, that we are able lo perceive through the medium of (he hoys and girls present what delights we ourselves must have be°n when, as children, w-e attended our yearly pantomime years ago.