Joy Beattie To Be Principal Boy In English Pantomime

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 6

Joy Beattie To Be Principal Boy In English Pantomime

New Zealand Press Association Special Correspondent

Rec. 9 p.m.

LONDON, Dec. 13.

The New Zealand musical comedy actress, Joy Beattie, formerly of Oamaru, has signed a 19 weeks’ contract to play the Principal Boy in Francis Laidler’s pantomime, “Humpty Dumpty,” which will open in Leeds on December 26. Miss Beattie, a soprano, who lived with her parents, Mr and Mrs J. D. Beattie, at Oamaru, arrived in London in August of last year after five years in musical comedy in Australia and New Zealand, during which she played starring roles opposite Max Oldaker in the J. C. Williamson productions of “ The Desert Song ” and “ Rose Marie.” *

This'is Miss Beattie’s second pantomime—last year she ' played Principal Boy in Howard and Wyndham’s “ Goody Two Shoes ” for a 10 weeks' season. She has sung several times over the BBC including appearances in Henry Hall’s “ Guest Night.” “I am very pleased with my latest contract,” said Miss Beattie. “My agents say it is one of the best pantomime contracts in England. I play the role of Prince Randolph of Romancia and the costumes are almost as glamourous as the name sounds—seven changes and they are all very dashing.”

In “ Goody Two Shoes ” Miss Beattie played opposite Douglas Byfig, one of the best-known pantomime “Dames” in England. Miss Beattie’s mother and father, who are at present touring France and Italy,-will return for the first night at Leeds.

Miss Beattie played the feminine lead in the Dunedin Operatic Society’s production of “ Belle of New York ” in 1944.