HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1262, 25 June 1914, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“THE FORTY THIEVES” PANTOMIME. OPENING ON MONDAY. Preparations are well in hand for the opening of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., pantomime, “The Forty Thieves,” at His Majesty’s, on Monday, June 29. It is said to be one of the most alluring and thoroughly satisfying pantomimes the firm have yet given us. Says the critic of the Sydney “Daily Telegraph”:—Mr. Andrew McCunn has written much good and sparkling music. The scenic artists have painted much beautiful scenery distinguished for rich colouring and effective treatment of sunshine and a wealth of detail, and there are many ballets which reach their climax in the finale of the two acts. In the first of these finales, a ballet representative of the products of Australia, the brilliantly lighted stage is crowded with dancing sprites bearing trophies of wool, gold, silver, fruit and coal, and there is ultimately a brilliant tableau where two crowned figures emblematic of mining and agriculture sit eath.'oncd. At the end of the pantomime an army of saucy drummers with tne regimental colours of all the nations march on beating a lively tattoo, and make a glittering show. Both these finales are gorgeous in spectacular beauty. The pantomime has two first-rate comedians, Mr. Barry Lupino, who plays Ali Baba, and Mr. W. Edwin Brett, who returns to the Australian stage in another of his clever studies as the Dame. These genial humorists romp lightly through the piece making fun in delightfully" irresponsive fashion. Mr. Dupino, who startles everybody at his entrance by leaping high into the air through the lid of a box lying on the floor, proves to be quiet in style, unforced, but always sure. His power of facial expression is one of his great assets. Mr. Brett shares the honours with Mr. Lupino in one of the most laughable scenes of the night, where the Dame’s description of himself as a young and beautiful woman proved so grievous a strain upon the truth that the ceiling tumbled about her ears.