J. C. WILLIAMSON'S PANTOMIME.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17471, 3 June 1922, Page 10

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S PANTOMIME.

"BABES IN THE WOOD." Thus the oritio of the Sydney "Evening ■News" on J. 0. Williamson's "Babes in tlw Wood" pantomime:—'"The Babes in the •Vood' abounds in beautiful staging, and each act has a finale which, for the setting, surpasses anything rimilar in recent years. The first act closes with a fairyland scene, and the Becond with a Eoyal carnival. Fairyland is a hall with arches and alcoves, shimmering in silver awl gold, where dreaming figures wake at the summons of a dancer. The carnival is a smashing picture in gold' and scarlet. Of the new English principals, the one wl&rn anticipation hud made most famous is Nora Delany (Lady Maiweli). She is Robin Hood, ft principal boy of oaptivfttinj Bwagger, splondidly modelled, knowing how to enhance her beauty with costumes, buoyant in energy and gaiety. Miss Delany is versatile on the stage, and is called upon to do much more than the ordinary principal boy can undertake. She eings love eoug, lullaby, and ditty with tenderness and arch humour. She ia « welcome figure, specially talented and attractive. The Pamo Anastasia Prodgers is Mr Jack Williams,' aIBO a 'first appearance.' He is a humorist on the big and broad side, a good Dame. Much good, wholesome fun emanates from Mr Williams, whom the youngsters will adore at matinees for his test with those of his own age in the farcical school scene. There is a pleasing' little Australian principal girl (Miss Floie Allen), two smart children as the Babes (Marjory Powrie and Nelly Barnes). Mr W. S. Percy acts with fine fun as Baron Bazouker, and Miss Audrey Thacker (an English girl) has a catchy humming song. Bobbie Jackson flops on the stage as a scarecrow, who has much to do with protecting the babes, and Mr George. Willoughby looks like Wilkins Micawbe-r in the part of Lawyer Graball. Among the 'specialty' actors are the comic pair Naughton nad Gold, who have a burlesque boring scene packed with laughter. The favourite Amery Sisters (Phyllis, and Maud) are given special song and dance numbers. The principal dancers are Frederick Mackay and Josie Melville, whose snowfiake dance is beautifully set and arranged. The special ballet of eight fthe Eoyal Ballerinas) does superb work. These are the eight whose naked knees frightened Melbourne unduly. Australian ballets, in these days, are as superb in their way as are Australian choruses. The show fs costly arri brilliant in production, and is the years high-water mark in lavish stage beauty. It was received with the greatest enthusiasm."