AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20170, 24 February 1931, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. | —— '■ I J. C. WILLIAMSON'S PANTOMIME, i "THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT." The bos' plans will bo opened on Wednesday morning at 9 o'olock for the approaching pioduction season of J. C. Williamson's big sp&cialty-pantomime, "The House that Jack Built " which begins a season at the Theatre Royal next Saturday, opening with a matinee. Anticipating a heavy booking, the management will have a stafl of ushers to form a queue to assure that first-comers may have first choice of seats. There art, it is said a number of outstanding features m "The House that Jack Built," any one cf which would assure the success of any theatrical production. _ That the comedy is genuinely humorous is guaranteed by the fact that the principal role of DaWe Barleycorn is in the capable hands of that remarkable fine comedian, Jim Gerald, who made himself +tremendously by his funoyisms in "The New Moon' and "The Belle of New York. Another excellent comedy artist is Mr Roy Rene who, as Sammy, is said to be outstandingly humorous. The cow, as represented by the PauIPBto Brothers, creates much merriment, and others who assist in the merry-making are John Fernside, Nick Morton, Dan Agar, and Arthur Stigant, Miss Sadie Gate is said to make an ideal "principal boy,' her singing, dancing, and general deport--1 ment materially assisting towards the success of the pantomime. As a spectacle enhanced by some beautiful scenery, 'The House that Jack Built,"' wrote a critic, "surpasses anything seen on the Australian stage. Colour, aided bv light, combine to make some brilliant effects. There is an abundance of delightful music and dancing, and song suefcesses. It is questionable whether ft Btronger or better organisation of pantomimists, singers, dancers, specialty artists or comedians have ever previously been engaged in any one produotion staged by the Williamson, Ltd., management, and their enterprise cortainly deserves the success that has been achieved by their latest pantomime. Probably there has never been more money expended in the frocking of a production, and, in epite of the depressed times, most of the costumes reveal rich silken fabrics. Silken hose is, in instances, worn by members of the ballet, as well as by the principal perxormers The eongs in 'The House that Jack Built' piclude 'Strolling Through the Tulips, which has a melody which cannot failXto linger in the memory Another fine number is 'Down thi» Biver of Golden Dreams. The magnificent ensembles and the glorious ballets are it is said, indescribably beautifnl and original, and the choruses are quite a big feature of the pantomime, which was produced under the supervision of Mt Charles A. Wenman."