“ALADDIN.”

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 8

“ALADDIN.”

BRILLIANT PANTOMIME,

Messrs J. C. Williamson, (Ltd.) can generally be relied upon to offer something worth while in the pantomime line. And so it is with the' production at present holding ,the boards at the Theatre Royal. The whole show*, from orchestra to ballet, is high in the entertainment plane. The principal “boy” (Miss Ada Reeve), lives up to the starry reputation gained during her stage, career. An accomplished comedienne, she combines a charming voice with versatility as an allround actress. Miss Reeve bears a large part of the work, and sustains her character through all the magical adventures of Aladdin. ~ . The show* is very strong in _its : orchestra —a full band,- which studies the singers, and gives them every opportunity of getting over good effects of light and shade.Scenery—(that most important feature in pantomime)—has received lavish attention, and makes an entertainment in itself. • The cave scene especially, is a work of art. Mechanical effects form another branch of “Aladdin” worthy of the London stage. The panto-, mime, as a w*hole, contains no weak parts, and scene follows upon scene with kaleidoscopic effect. The ballet, in its up-stage and downstage work, displays a . splendid abandon. Lighting effects come in lor a good deal of attention, the colours being blended excellently. In a word, the old legend- of the magic lamp formed a basis for a wealth of sparkling specialities, which kept the large audience happy for three hours.

Mjss Hope Gharteris combines a pretty voice with a good stage presence, and puts over her numbers effectively. As Princess So-Shi, she had a charming part. The Nito Trio, whose speciality is comedy-ac-robatics, give a neat and unusual vaudeville turn. Hector St. Clair,-a comedian of no small ability make a quarter of an hour slip by hilarously with clever stunts and violin eccentricities'. Tom Payne, as the Widow Twaukey. presented the best “dame” characterisation seen in Timaru for many years, his facial expressions and patter keeping the audience in a continual ripple of laughter. George Welch and Gits Bluett “gagged” joyously throughout the piece, and bore a large share of the comedy. . The frocking is startling in its originality, and colourful and stylish in the extreme, and makes a great appeal in itself. On the musical side, the song “Hi Lee, Hi Lo,” by St. Clair and ensemble, “The Piper of Love,” by Miss Gharteris, and “People Like Us,” by Tom Payne and Ada Reeve, were outstanding numbers. Miss Anona Wilkins and chorus in tiie song scena “Moonlight in Shanghai,” were accorded a great reception.

The pantomime culminated in a glittering scene billed “The Living Chandelier” —a scene which will be remembered by ail who saw it for many a day.

As there will be no matinee in Timaru, children will be admitted half price to dress circle and reserved and back stalls this evening.