“THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 10

“THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.”

This evening, at His Majesty’s Theatre, the J, 0. Wuliamsou, Ltd., management will present the lirst production here of its latest and greatest pantomime, “.The House that Jack Built,” which is said to surpass in grandeur, in singing, in dancing, in comedy, and in outstanding novelties and specialties even the famous patnomime " Mother Goose.” While enjoying the pantomime, playgoers will have the knowledge that a good proportion of the money tney expended to obtain admission will be granted to the Prime Minister’s Earthquake Bund. “ The House that Jack Built ” comprises a succession of novelties, specialties, song hits, stage spectacles, comedy scenes, and sketches and a delightfully romantic pantomime story. It is presented by a powerful aggregation of pantomimists, singers, dancers, speciality artists and comedians. There are over 100 concerned in the production of “The House that Jack Built,” including 25 tiny Australian children, whose dancing is an outstandiug feature of the pantomime. Their artistry in the wonderful toy shop ballet, in which they represent every kind of toy, will, it is said, prove a revelation to playgoers. The Williamson, Ltd., management was fortunate in its engagement of Mr Jim Gerald for the part of Dame Barleycorn, as he is acknowledged to be one of the best pantomime dames the Australian or New Zealand stage has known. That he is an outstanding comedian he proved by his brilliant work in the recent production of “The New Moon,” and it is said that he excells himself in “ The House that Jack Built.” Mr Gerald is also enjoyed by the children at the matinee performances, as the popular comedian is always successful in inducing the youngsters to sing with him and to, as it were, become part of the performance. Mr Roy Rene is well and popularly known to playgoers of New Zealand, and he, too, has achieved his best success in the whimsical role of Sammy in “The House that Jack Built.” Miss Amy Rochell’s charming personality and her vivaciousness help to make her an ideal “pantomime boy, and that she has a voice above the average she proved when she recently appeared here as Cora Angelique in “ The Belle of New York.” Miss Nell Taylor, it is said, is a dainty and delightful “ principal girl,” and Miss Kathleen Goodall’s rich soprano voice is heard at its best in the musical numbers allocated to the role of the Fairy Queen. Nick Morton, who last appeared here in “Rio Rita,” is said to be very amusing as Farmer Barleycorn, and that clever comedian Phil Smith has a congenial part in that of the funny policeman. An outstanding characterisation is that of the “ Cow with the crumpled horn,” portrayed by the Paulasto Brothers. Others in the cast are Kathleen Fallow, Eric Bush, Edna Moncrieff, Harry Short, Mona Zeppel, and Ellen ~ Percival. The specialty act by the Fallow Twins is one of the many features of the pantomime, and another is the brilliant dancing of Edna Moncrieff, Mona Zeppel, and Eric Bush. The beautiful ensembles, the charming ballets, the choruses and the excellent scenery and dresses are other features of “The House that Jack Built.” Two other big features are the six charming girls on swings which swing over the footlights and the thrilling and exquisite aeroplane effect, which presents a dainty young girl flying over the heads of the audience, singing one of the most tuneful melodies in the pantomime. A full operatic orchestra is under the baton of Mr William Redstone. The production was staged under the personal direction of Mr Charles A. Wenman, and Mr Roy Stein is the stage- manager. The box plans are now open at the Bristol.

After months of close observation the Sheffield city engineer has very highly commended a number of experimental stretches of tarred road laid in his area with specially-prepared and blended tara supplied by an important group of Yorkshire tar interests. “ Some of these tars," states his repbrt, “ are much superior to the ordinary standards. Many of the trial pieces which have been subject to heavy traffic present an excellent surface, which, from the point of view of safety, also leaves nothing to be desired.” Other experiments with tar, notably at Tonbridge, have been equally successful.