Pantomime Proves Excellent Entertainment

Chronicle (Levin), 8 December 1949, Page 4

Pantomime Proves Excellent Entertainment

A cast of 60, ranging from the sligh'tly bewildered three-year-olds to the more confident tden-agers, provided an enthusiastic audience with entertainment supreme when the Irene Oliver Dance StUdios presented a pantomime entitled' "The Magic Fiute" in the Regent Theatre last night. Comprising seven scenes, the production gave scopq for individual and group dancing as well as a certain amount of choral work. The story centred round Teddy (Bill Johnson), who became possessed with a magic Aute, a spirit and a number of wishes all complete. With the aid of his wishing power, Teddy's urge to see what lay over the hill was satisfied and his wonderful experiences throughout the different scenes were well presented by the supporting' cast. The second scene, a visit to fairy land, is worthy of speciai mention and really captured the audience. It is most difficult for anyone to personify natiire, -but in this' scene the pupils of Miss Oliver went very near to absolute success. Butterflies, an assortment of flowers and the bees, who were in reality four babies,. wajre excellently "portrayed. To describe such elements . as rain, wind,; clouds, storm a"nd sun in terms of movement should have been well nigh impossible, but five competent dancers, attired in appropriate costumes, did so in a way that left nothing -to the imagination. The fourth scene, "In Hawai!," was also attractively presented. The vocalist, Miss Ava Wilson, although possessing a very pleasing voice, was at times difficult to hear. ... "Down On The Farm" was" a little drawn out and inclined to be weak in chorus singing. However, with 'the entrance of a most amazing cow (Donald Butcher and Regihald Davis) , and the miikmaid (Helen Key), with her clever display of craziness, applause came from the audience. The last scene introduced :the tap dancer, Brian McKenzie, who received well-merited applause. Here again the personiflcation of nature was attempted most successfully by the moonbeams-: aiid dream boys and girls. • : Throughout the whole produc.tion the excellent costuming was a feature. The stage was giVen admirable lighting effects and the scenery showed evidence of hours of painstaking preparatioh, which was not without its result. • . To Mrs. Collier at the piano must go 'bouquets for supplemehtary music. The orchestra, comprising Messrs C. Webb, P. McMinn and R. Robinson, provided an excellent background of music; despite their difficult task oi keeping time with the younger members of the dancing cast, who were not too confident of their own ability. The lighting was under the direction of Mr.- K. Alderson and the stage manager was Mr. F. Pedersen. To mould such a large cast of youthful dancers into the successful production that "The Magic Fiute" was must have bCen a most" difficult task, and Miss Oliver is to be heartily congratulated on her effort. The cast was as foliows: — . Babies. — Dorothy Steer, Dulcie Jacob, Terence Collier and Norma Tilley. Juniors. — Barbara - Hesp, Wendy Wilkinson, Phillipa Tilley, Jacqueline Nyberg, Hinga Williams, Patricia Skilton, Robin and Errol Collier, Ngaire Jacob, Barbara Steer, Phyllis Lincoln, Carol Knight and Bernice Knight. Intermediates. — ^Beverley Jamieson, Ngaire Tremewan, Sandra Piimmer, Gloria Wilkinson, Virginia Hesp, Janet Benfell, Shirley Lincoln, Leonie Morgan, Susan McDonald, Eiaine Williams, Maureen Knight, Julie Powell, ■ Shirley Lewis, Aileen Ward, Sylvia James, Beverley Hermansson, Margaret Lima, Vivian Robinson, Laurie Wallis, Ngaire Mangin and Margaret Jones. Seniors. — Rae Collis, Daphne and Lois Millard, Shirley Stevens, Toni McGurk, Fay'e Sayles, Brian McKenzie, Marlene Farrar, Betty Evans, Helen Key, Eric Busst,r Reginald Davis, Dick Derby, Frank Toberty, Anne Maree, Peter Maunder, Fred Petersen, Noel Strawbridge, Alan Richardson and Donald Butcher.