“ALADDIN.”

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 12 June 1924, Page 9

“ALADDIN.”

A WELL-DRESSED PANTOMIME. After the enthusiastic reception accorded to Messrs J. C. Williamson, Limited’s latest and best pantomime on ’Tuesday, it was a foregone conclusion that the Theatre Royal would be crowded to its utmost capacity, as it was the last evening. The spark-ling-comedy, georgeous dressing and mounting, ‘bare-legged ballets, raid tuneful songs, made the three, hours of 'the performance pass as though cm wings. • ■ ' Miss Ada Reeve, as Aladdin,: was most captivating, and sustained her part in a truly princely style, while Miss Hope Charteris, the dainty principal girl, added charm to the familiar but-never tiresome, story. Mr Tom Payne’s interpretation of tho widow Twankey has made a very .difficult task for his and' Iris' soliloquies kept liis' Hearers ' convulsed. Hector, St. Clair earned fresh laurels, as the Widow’s assistant, and also as a solo performer, notably in an eccentric interlude with his violin. The outstandingly beautiful scene of the show was the willow pattern garden, with its pleasing ballet in saucershaped skirts. All through the piece the ballet showed unusual grace and originality, coupled with georgeous dressing, for which it is impossible to give too much praise. The rich costuming of the red and gold cabinet, the pretty illuminated band-boxes of flic little Gaby girls, the Rouge ot Blanc,'fairyland, and' Aladdin’s palace, culminating in the wonderful “living' chandelier, ’’ made the pantomime one that will live long in the memory oi all who .saw it.