HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1467, 6 June 1918, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

‘'DICK WHITTINGTON” TO-NIGHT. EXTRAVAGANZA IN EXCELSIS. The ever - welcome J. C. Williamson pantomime, this year “Dick Whittington,” will be presented at His Majesty’s Theatre for the first time this evening (Wednesday). The story of Dick Whittington has ever been popular with young and old. Writing of the big show a Melbourne critic enthuses as follows: “Each year the wonder arises how the J. C. Williamson people are going to find anything as good and novel for a future production of the kind that shall equal, if not better, its predecessor. And yet when pantomime season comes round we are amazed afresh this year more than usual. Dick Whittington’ is somehow different to the stereotyped pantomime and has distinct novelties. The story follows the original more closely than is usual with pantomime stories and it lends itself to some quite dramatic and picturesque incidents.” From the moment the curtain rises oh the first performance there is pronounced enthusiasm, for beautiful scene follows on the heels of beautiful scene in quick succession. The scenes and costumes are magnificent, if a little bizarre. The colourings are superb, rich, full, yet soft tones massed in daring, albeit successful blendings. The ensembles are a mass of rich tones, which yet form striking colour harmonies. There are some beautiful outdoor scenes, especially that in which Dick Whittington dreams and hears the bells with their prophetic chant, “Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London.” Dancing is a strong feature of the pantomime, for there are a number of beautiful and some decidedly novel ballets. As to the comedians, they are said to positively revel in the fun that is so liberally provided for them. Such names on a pantomime bill as Messrs. Arthur Stigant, William Fullbrook, Ernest Langford, Harry Roxbury, Billy Le Brun, Claude Bantock, and Howard Vernon are a specific guarantee that the humour will be fast and furious. Misses Pauline Bindley, Pearl Ladd and Ethel Walker are all first class vocalists. A really wonderful act is done by the Camille trio, representing the very last word in knockabout acrobatics. In Miss Maggie Dickinson and Mr. Sidney Yates the company possesses two star solo dancers. With Miss Vera Pearce as principal boy the cast could not be bettered, this beautilul Australian girl being superbly fitted for the part. The season is tor nine nights, with matinees Saturday and the following Wednesday. The box plans for the first six nights and first matinee are now open at Wildman and Arey’s.