HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1307, 13 May 1915, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“THE BABES IN THE WOOD.”

A BRIGHT, BREEZY SHOW

The pantomime pure and simple is a thing of the past. Nowadays it has resolved itself into a riot of fun, a jumble of novelties, and a bewildering setting of spectacular features. George Willoughby’s “Babes in the Wood” follows out the modern theory so satisfactorily that no one objects to the liberties taken with the old fairy tales and the sacrifice of cheiished traditions. The Babes unfolded their adventures at His Majesty’s on Monday night, and gave a large audience three hours of spontaneous gaiety, in which Miss Daisy Jerome, “the live-wire comedienne,” took the lead. Miss Jerome proved a big drawing card on her previous visit to New Zealand with her smart solo work, and the glory of a huge pantomime does not diminish her lustre. As Maid Marion she scores well with her piquant mannerisms and her cutely delivered songs, but it is in “Jerome Land” she makes her biggest hit, rattling off her latest musichall successes in her own inimitable style. Exquisite frocking and an effective black setting lend an extra note of distinctiveness. A particularly saucy song that went well was “Take a walk with Daisy, for Daisies won’t tell,” while her old-time favourite “Row, Row, Row,” brought down the house, and a spectacular effect wrought by electrical flag effects concluded a sparkling interlude. Robin Hood had an attractive counterpart in Miss Ruby Davies, whose dashing style and trim figure commended itself readily, while she made the most of her vocal chances. With the aid of a chorus and ballet she made “Tipperary” one of the popular hits of the evening, the scene winding up with the Escalade, a moving staircase illusion affording a series of effective groupings and tableaux that aroused hearty enthusiasm. Dan Thomas dispensed laughter with a free hand; his eccentric dancing, smart gagging, songs and extraordinary penchant for new hats serving him well in carrying out the traditions of the pantomime dame. The lugubrious Bert La Blanc, as Weary Willie, was always close up in getting laughs, and with Ted Stanley, as Tired Tim, kept the fun to fever height. One of the most captivating choruses was “Teach Me to Float” by a bevy of bathing girls, featuring dainty Nellie Fallon and Henry Marcel in a pas de deux while a parade of the Allies made an impressive finale that caused (he curtain to be raised again and again. The babes (Averill McKellar and Lily Skinner) are there, of course, likewise the wicked uncle (Billie Watson), a goat (Jack Keller), and the Fairy Queen (Miss Elsie Sloan), while the “Children’s Playtime” also makes a special appeal to the small folk. Apart from the rapid action of the pantomime there is an abundance of vaudeville turns of star prom'nence. They included Miss Josephine Gassman and her picaninnies in ragtime songs and coon dancing, Miss Gassman herself working up patriotic fervour with her song, “Kn’.t, Knit, Knit”; the New York Comedy Four in a harmonious selection of popular airs, and Hanlon, Dean and Hanlon in marvellous feats of strength. The whole production went with a swing from start to finish, due mainly to its production by Mr. Lester Brown and its musical direction by Mr. Wynne-Jones.