FULLERS' OPERA HOUSE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 13

FULLERS' OPERA HOUSE.

brilliant pantomime. A brilliant ar.d elaborate pantomime, "Oh, Mum," IYH3 put on by tho Jim Gerald Musical Comedy Company at tho C-cra-Hqu;c la3t night, and the production was certainly the most ambitious of the mar.v revues and similar shows that have been presented theie. Xo fewer than six sets j were employed and the scenic effects, the ' dressings, the ensembles and the individual efforts were all of tho brightest and best. The first scene represented the exterior cf the home of one Mr 3 Muggins, a ladv of lowly status, to wit a washerwoman, but one endowed with a Urge capacity for extin. : guishing trouble. Other scenes represented i a corridor in the same bumble habitation, and the kitchen ar.d waehhouse of the same. The company were next discovered travelling aboard a stately liner, and they brought their exploits to a close in Bonnie Scotland. The Dame part of Mrs Muggins was taken by Mr Jim Gerald, and he showed himself as capable in that character as in tho other comedy parts he took in former revues. lie was sc.dam oil tho stage, and he worked brilliantly in effective co-opera-tion with most of the other characters. In a roniedv love-making scene with the landlord. and again in a wash-tub scene, and again in a seasick scene on board ship the Dame carried ail before her. Mr Gerald had a Polo "Little Drop of Gin with Martha, and with Mr Re:s Hawthorne he carried on the triumphant career of Mr Gallagher anrl Sir Shean with new vsrsfa. This celebrated duet still remains as bright as any item in the production and still carries a demand for double encores. Its remarkable popularity is if anything on tho increase. Mr Reg. Hawthorne had a well-fitting part as Mr Flint, a landlord, aiid his faculty for lugubrious humour had a eplendid sphere in which to operate. Mr Ernest Crawford, tho tenor, was the juvenile lead as Jack Manners. Mr Howard Ila'.l mado a, persistent and persuaßivo !ifo insurance agent, and it was an amusing scene when he endeavoured to procure Mm Muggins as a client for his company. Two lumbering children, Horace aud Emma, offspring of the Dame, were well presented by Mr Lance Vano and Miss Essie Jennings, and dainty aud attractive par's were taken by Miss Mona Thomas, Miss Sophie Vivian, and Miss Poily MacLaren. The ballets were of outstanding merit. In "Butterflies," Miss Polly MacLaren was tho solo dancer, and the Six Twinklsrs, the chorus aud ballet girls, fluttered round her as an enchanting accompaniment. Another gay and colourful ballet was "Naughty Blues," by Miss Sopliio Vivian and the Twinklors, and a Scotch baliet, given with groat ability and alacrity, made a strong irapression on every Ca:edyniau heait. Miss Mona Tfiouiis, tue principal jirl, was full of life and melody. A leading 3010 by her was "What'll I do?" She also sau£ "Omaha" surrounded by tho Twinklerj, who contributed the chorus and dance, and with Mr Howard Hall (baritone) and Mr inmost Crawford (tenor) she took part in some enjoyable trio items. Mr Crawford sans "My Little Susanno" in company with the chorus party, and as a solo h-i sang that jeni of the Savoy operas, "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes." Miss Essie Jennings sang a charming little song, "Paradise," and with Mr Gerald a comedy duet, r 'The Garbage Gentleman's Ball." In the Scotch sceno Mir* Jennings sang "Bonnie Mary." Tho whole pantomime went with a dash from start to finish, and at no time (Jid action halt. In the vaudeville section «xcellent items were given by tho Megan Brothers, clown comedians, dancers, and instrumentalists: Marion Armitage and Bob Hine, in a musical and comedy turn; the MacKinnon Boys, in a danco and instrumental turn; Knight and Brady, in comedy and musio; and Sir .Jock Mills, in Scotch songs and stories. The orchestra, with Mr Albert Bidgood m j charge, performed brilliantly. The pantomime and vaudeville will be repeated to-night.