THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12061, 17 July 1917, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

A BRIGHT PANTOMIME

"THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT."

Tnr> Mine old myths that msdo

Tho oarly " Ktay-n s\icre??eH." Stili " hold the boards" and still fli-p played " Willi now effects and clrcspc?." Austin Dobson must have had the, pantomime in mind when ho wrote of the world's repetition of its stories, because in the. pantomime mure than anywhere else is this state of things to be found —the jokes that shook grandfather with ;>, tumult of childish laughter still agitate his whiskers and unite Ids chuckle with that of Ins grandchildThese ancient witticisms are the tried and trusted friends of the comedian—they have gone through the lire of experience, and can bo relied upon to find their way into the theatre and to toss even an audience of vinegar-drinkers into a furious whirlpool of enjoyment. The pantomime joke belongs to Humour's House of Peers. But no one can say that the perpetrators of pantomimes who permit these ancients to wander about the stage ai" 1 comit•ting mistakes, because, peculiarly enough, the older the joke, the more dust upon a rum, the greater the success. The audience at a pantomime evidently is bent upon enjoying itsell, and it is quickly reduced, in a collective sense, to a condition in which the comedians can work their will and their "witticisms." "The House That Jack Built" in this sense is fairly much like other pantomimes, but there are only one or two episodes in which the comedians become topical and hit home with skill. An example of this -is Harry Roxbury's travesty of n scene before the Medical Board, which, of course, has in front a lot of keen critics who have " been there." Air Roxbury weakens a remarkably funny burlesque by concluding with the words "General Service," which smack more of Australia than "Class A" would. Arthur Stigant, the Dane improves upon his success of last year And shows more restraint, and probably more so than any other Dame that has been here he goes in for more elaborate dressing. Ernest Landlord's length makes comedy with him absurdly easy, and the work of Fullbrook, though less obtrusive, is an important factor in the comedians' efforts. particularly in the scene " Building a Chicken-house," a laughable interlude of slap-stick comedy.

The principal boy. Hilda CJuiver, sings nicely, though there are, tendencies to facial mannerisms, and her numbers were all successful, particularly " Tulip Times," with pretty effects with electrically-lit tulips and gifts of flowers for the lucky audience in the front stalls (it is now clear that the comparatively recent popularity of tho front stalls is due to more than a desire to see the roof of tho stage). "Our Own Dear Flag" was sung with spirit, and "Jingle Johnny" was charming. Grotchen Yates's chief task is to look interesting. She does this, and adds to it a pleasing singing of "Baby Doll," helped over by mechanical dolls. Constance. Cayley has a good, sturdy song in " Anzac." which seems, by tho way, to be going close to the Auzac Trade Mark Act, and right through the pantomime she is excellent. Amy Murphy makes a good Fairy Queen and sings effectively.

A great deal of the evening's success, however, is due to the chorus, senior and junior. Roth work hard and spiritedly throughout. The children are really better than they have ever been in pantomime, and their freshness and youthful enthusiasm are important items in the evening's credit. The adult chorus dances well, and it is dressed effectively throughout. Maggie Dickinson, the solo dancer, adds greatly to her reputation by her excellent work in the pantomime, especially in the "Dance of the Emotion," and in the series of scenes with the Demon of Despair, Charles Albert. Tho music is very tuneful and is well played by the orchestra under Adrian Amadio, though it is a trifle too heavy at times. The pantomime is well mounted and, taken generally, thoroughly _ deserved the measure of success it obtained from a crowded audience at the Theatre Rovnl last night. '"'The House that Jack Built" will be repeated this evening, and to-morrow afternoon a matinee performance will be given.