CINDERELLA PANTOMIME

Southland Times, Issue 17484, 27 July 1915, Page 6

CINDERELLA PANTOMIME

BRILLIANT STAGE DISPLAY. A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. .1. C. Williamson, Ltd., opened a short season in the Municipal Theatre last night with the pantomime extravaganza ■’Cinderella.” Reports that preceded the production indicated clearly that it was something far above the ordinary, and after witnessing last night’s performance. one has to confess that these forerunners hardly did .justice to it. Without a doubt this latest edition of "Cinderella” is the best thing of its kind that Invercargill has been provided with. It contains something in the nature of a connected story. Throughout the performance not even a child—and pantomimes were primarily intended to b’e specially pleasing to children—can lose tlie thread of the edd, old fairy tale. The piece is pervaded by an unbroken wave of refined beauty and taste in the scenery, in the dressing, in the groupings, and in the colourings. The music is in strict keeping with the tone of the production; it is not pretentious, but it is always pleasing and never becomes cheap. From the quiet but delightful opening garden scene, through to the electrifying finale, with the representatives of Britain and Iter Allies grouped on the stage, there was an entire departure from the garish colours and extravagances of knock-about burlesques. The "Wildflowers Ballet” was a delightful scene in quiet colouring. Its one dash of brilliant hue was the Red Poppy, Miss Aland Amery, whoso dancing was comprised of undiluted grace and charm, and who, in order of merit, stands out prominently when compared with any solo dancer seen in pantomime in Invercargill. "The Slanting Paths" was another effective part, and again in the "Boudoir scene" the mounting was quiet and tasteful The robing of "Cinderella” was made a subject of an effective march, and the transformation scene to the entrance to the Palace was a brilliant finale to the first act. "Tlie Reception," introducing a pageant of tlie ages, was quite away from the usual pantomime marches, and the finale was surely the one of the most pleasing stage spectacles that has ever been seen here. For the first time New Zealand was represented by a quartette of chorus ladies, who made excellent Maori girls in national costume. In this march of tlie Allies, Australia's representatives, too, departed from the old stock-whip and felt hat. Four tall girls appeared in pale blue, wearing Australia's ensign, and bearing electric lights, which marked on each a replica of a .Southern Cross, it was a brilliant touch, and the final song. "Fighting for tlie Motherland," sung - by Miss Gladys Thomas as Britannia, was' a vigorous end to the scene on tlie big stairway. The large audience that was present were not slow in duly appreciating the fact that something really worth while was being provided for them, and at ! times the enthusiasm was unbounded, which was not to be wondered at when the excellence of the production was taken into consideration. In Miss -Minnie Love the pantomime enjoys the advantage of a principal hoy, who is attractively efficient in every department of her work. A graceful dancer, a charming actress, and a captivating singer. Miss Minnie Love is of immense assistance to "Cinderella.” Although she is not the possessor of a strong • voice, it was sweet and tuneful, and either "•Irish Eyes" or "Ragtime Goblin Man” was sufficient to ensure her popularity. Miss Dolly Castles as "Cinderella" was really nice. There was always a delightful lack of self-con-sciousness accompanying Miss Castles, as well as a prettiness and daintiness. In her singing efforts she was uniformly successful, her numbers being "The Candle Light" and "Peg of My Heart." Miss Gertie I.atchford and Miss Dorothy Firmin were tlie two ugly sisters, and if tiie term "ugly” is omitted it has to be said that each acquitted herself splendidly. Miss Latchforcl was highly successful in the duet, "Conversatiops," with Mr Barry Lupino, and Miss Firmin made a palpable hit in "Mere Wo Arc, Here We Are Again." Mis Gladys Thomas, who has already been mentioned, made a charming and stately "Fairy Godmother," and Miss Marjorie Bray did ail that was required of her in the part of "Diplom icus." in the comedy department Mr Barry Lupino as ••Billy" was an instantaneous success. Mr Lupino is undoubtedly the best comedian in his Hue of business that can he called to mind, and his versatility is truly remarkable. He was the mainspring of tlie production, and his last night’s performance will not be readily forgotten by those who had the pleasure of witnessing it. Mr Arthur Htigant made a stately dame, and as a funmaker he is good to listen to. He lias a style all his own, but he gets there every time. Mr Jack McArdie is another comedian of outstanding merit, and his clever fooling was one of the features of a collective performance in which cleverness was the keynote. Mr Leslie Gaze, who as Dauclini, was another performer deserving of a special line, and lie is the possessor of a nice baritone voice which -he uses to the best advantage. Mr Rupert Darrell, as "Snaffles." and Air Charles Albert as the 'Dancing Alaster." were also well placed. The one specialty item of the evening was a clever acrobatic exhibition given by Tiny Tot Alarjorio and Little Eileen, two diminutive tumblers and contortionists, who provided one of the cleverest turns of the kind that has been witnessed here. Last night the audience simply went wild with wonder and delight while tlie mites were going through their startlingly oiever performance. The production of the piece is greatly enhanced by having with it a splendid orchestra, which is under the baton of Air Robert F, Keers. • Cinderella." taken as a whole, was beyond question a. brilliant production, with its magnificent dressing. It wil be produced again to-night for the last time, and no one who can possibly do so should miss attending. It is a piece,, which can be genuinely appreciated, and which compels commendation.