HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 850, 21 June 1906, Page 13

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“SINBAD THE SAILOR.” It is a good many years since we had a good old-fashioned pantomime in Auckland, so that when Mr. William Anderson’s Pantomime Company opened on Saturday night in “Sinbad the Sailor” it was not surprising to find that the theatre, large as it is, was inadequate to hold all those applying for admission. Commencing at a quarter to eight and ending at nearly half-past eleven, the members of the audience certainly got quantity for theii’ money, while, as the production was an Andersonian one, it may be readily understood that quality was not lacking; indeed, the popular manager would seem to have fairly let himself go with the most absolute disregard to any such sordid detail as expense, the result being a somewhat bewildering display of beautiful scenes, rich costumes, dazzling spectacular effects, and a perfect wealth of variety talent. The famous Arabian Nights story was little more than hinted at, and what little there was of it was constantly interrupted by many introduced variety turns, some of these being quite exceptionally good. Miss Marie Campbell enacted the role of Sinbad, the impossible “boy” of the piece who tradition says must always be dressed in an equally impossible if glittering costume. Mr. Fred Graham was excrusiatingly funny as Mrs. Sinbad, his facial expression alone earning many a laugh. He is one of the mainstays of the production, and whenever he was on the stage there was unceasing amusement for the audience. Mr. Harry Quealy made a good deal of the part of Hinbad, his dancing being particularly clever. Miss Celia Mavis and Miss Edith Maitland, as Badoura and Zoe, looked a pair of very charming maidens, while the Misses Nellie Dent, Reba Bicknell, Eileen Capel, Doris Williams and quite a host of others were in the cast proper. Of the numerous variety turns, nearly all were good, while some were quite exceptionally clever. For example, the acrobatic feats of Messrs. Lennon, Hyman and Lennon were so exceedingly difficult that they must be seen to be believed. The most remarkable things were done with such humour and apparent that it was at times difficult to realise the years of training for such wonlerful tumbling. Small wonder that the applause was simply deafening. The company is very strong in talent of this kind, for the acrobatic turn by Morris and Williams proved remarkably clever, and fairly captured the audience. The Musical Gardners contribute an item which proved very enjoyable, the three members of the troupe playing on many different instruments, finely bringing out their skill as musicians. The fantastic dancing of the Bicknells proved as fascinating as of yore. The Gotham Quartette contributed several items, Mr. George Deon, Miss Eileen Capel, Mr. Tod Callaway, and others helping to keep the ball rolling. The pieve being too long, it might not be amiss to omit one or two of the interpolated songs, some of which are not overpoweringly comic, such, for instance, as the Captain Cook song. There is any amount of dancing interspersed all through the piece and some of this is very pretty, notably the “Hundred Fathoms Deep” ballet, the lighting and dressing giving a charming effect. The “March of All Nations” also gave a good chance for spectacular display, the bearers of the standard showing the silver fern being especially applauded. The transformation scene, “From Flowers to Fairyland,” was really beautiful, and the piece might well have ended with it, but pantomime traditions demand a harlequinade, 'and this, “Fun At the Zoo,” was /carried through very briskly, and at. least served to, delight the younger .inembers of the audience. A panto‘igfiine is adifficult thing to review, and ■At'', is far better jig> gq and.faee it, which ;

is a step to be cordially recommended, for there is not the slightest doubt that Mr. Anderson has given us a particularly fine production “Sinbad” will hold the boards until further notice