AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12463, 14 May 1908, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

OPERA HOUSE

ANDERSON AND SHERIDAN'S PAN-

TOMIME COMPANY.

"CINDERELLA."

The Opera House was packed to the doors both downstairs and in the drees circle last evening, when the AndersonSheridan Company produced the pantomime "Cinderella." For over three hours ths huge audience sat and roared with laughter at the fun provided for them, av<L then wended their way homewards to ponder over the fact that what had so greatly amused them was really the most inconsequent an:l irresponsible concoction of theatrical nonsense that could be crammed into three hpurs. And yet, did not L be creator of the inimitable "Widow O'Brien" hold the boards, and that alone was sufficient guarantee that the fun would be fast and furious. As presented in pantomime form, the bare bones of the favourite nursery tale are preseved. There is Cinderella and her ugly sisters, the Fairy Queen, who wafts the "cinder" off to the ball, where Prince Charming falls in love with her; there is the escape from the ball, the lost slipper, and the finding of its owner in Cinderella, who marries the Prince. But above all there is the Baron Bounder and the Baroness, which latter character was pourtrayed by Mr John L. Sheridan. Needless to say, the latter carried fun and frivolity with him right through the piece. The situations gave Mr Sheridan ample scope lor hia ability in caricaturing the peculiarities of the weaker sex. He made the Baroness the quaintest old g-uy imaginable, and his lovemaking and his antics at the ball were genuinely funny. In the title role Miss Heba- Barlow found a very suitable opportunity for her graceful and vivacious style of acting. Her pleasing voice was heard to advantage in some of the all too few melodies introduced. Miss Stella Selbourne, the Prince Charming of the piece, has a nice stage presence, and she invested the part with all the necessary grace, beauty, and dignity. She has a very pleasant soprano voice, and sang "If You'll Send a Smile to Me" nicely, and joined Miss Barlow in the duet, "Wonderland," which was well rendered. Miss Marie Eaton, as the Prince's valet, made a success of the character, and gave evidence of possessing an agreeable voice in her song "Under the Old Gum Tree." Miss Hilda Lane, who took, the role of the good fairy, was attired in a most radiant robe trimmed with opangles. She sang very sweetly and acted charmingly. A distinctly meritorious performance was the Mephistryon (the wicked Demon) of Mr James Hughes, who possesses a tuneful baritone voice. As Buttons Mr Jack Hagan was really good, and helped towards the fun of the piece considerably. Mr Thomae Curran made a capital Baron Bounder, and was funny, especially when he was thirsty, and pushing a button, his vest opened, revealing a miniature bar. There were fairies by the dozen, who graced the ballroom and the woodlands scenes. The spectacular feasts afforded during the evening pleased the audience greatly. The Sapho, Snow, and Rainbow ballets were rich treats of colour and graceful posing, and well merited the applause with which they were greeted. Then there was the "Porcelain March," in which a dozen quartettes of yoxmg ladies, beautifully arrayed, wheeled and serpentined gracefully. The transformation scene with which the performance terminated was beautiful ,in the extreme, the audience being kept in a state of enthusiasm as the series of scenes was unfolded to their view. It was magnificent, better than anything over seen here before. Referenc must not be omitted to the special "turns" given by Mssrs Morris and Wilson (acrobats) and Fred Morris (roller slfeter), who did Tiuch to make the night merry. One of the most delightful turns of the evening ■vasdone by children, ranging from dots to 12 years old, and another where the little ones mingled quaintly with adults in the 'lances. Altogether the performance provides an entertainment which neither old nor young should mi.ss, and there should be another full house to-night, when "Cinderella" will again be produced.