MEYNELL AND GUNN COMPANY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 554, 8 July 1909, Page 6

MEYNELL AND GUNN COMPANY.

..'•- ~;•. ■-.; "CINDERELLA.". ' '"Cinderella," a pantomimo book, by Stanley Rogers. Cast:—'■*• •■■■•; .. . '. -Prince Casimir „;. Meredith Heredro, Dandini ....:..... ..._....... Harold Thorley. Hercules ..-.. .—..... William Cromwell. Cinderella ...._._._............. Buth Lincoln Tiny ...—..-..._. -.. ;.:.>. Kdwin Brett. Elvira „...».........„ Daisy Belmore. Araminta ......„.-.....'..... Einmeline Orford Capers ......;_ .....»...- Tom Payne .* The' Fairy Godmother .™ Dora Dentqn:/ Eosie .„...;. Essie Perrin Perhaps the happiest of all fairy tales for. pantomime purposes "Cinderella, reminder of younger days, has been, elaborated upon by the Meynell and Gunn management to such an estent'that the wordy glories of the tale pale beside the glittering theatrical setting withjWhich the story is enhanced almost out of recognition. As presented last evening at the Opera House, "Cinderella". steps into line with the very best shows , of the kind which have, from time- x t 6 time, helped,to illumine our evenings. No pantomime,hitherto has had its' people so beautifully costumed. , Indeed, if there was nothing else to look upon but the kinematograph of gorgeous dresses and. stage regalia worn by the bright army that' strut their bxrar or two in "Cinderella" the show would be - well: worth the money. Rarely, indeed, has a chorus been so expensively attired as they are in the "Dresden China", ensemble that opens the, second act. Each dress is an >art creation, representing in its entirety one'or other of thosebeautiful Dresden designs familiar to lovers of good .china.;' The scenery is an excellent second to the dresses. In this department the artists have concentrated, their efforts on the very fine transformation : effect which dazzlingly covers the metamorphosis of, Cinderella'from a plain little girl in an old brown* frock to the resplendent' creaturef in white and gold, , who is driven away to paradise, not in the :Coach and six of tradition, but in an elegantly-designed .motor-car radiant with a:hundred tiny electric lights, and driven, incongruously, but. prettily, enough;! by a tiny chaffeur in seventeenth oentnry ; dross. But; consistency in not asked in pantomimes—they, are productions of artistic impulse, and the art for the • occasion leaps many barriers to attain its end..'.' From, the pretty forget-me-not transparency, to, the glistening motor-car, tho whole; is a conception never, yet equalled in the brightest of Raphael Tnck's Christmas card designs, and reflects much credit on tho scenic artist, Mr. Phil. Goatcher. The pantomime itself gives a sketchy outline of the fairy v tale —enough of it to serve for the introduction of a/ number of the usual type ot pantomime, ballads, much good comedy, pretty ballets,.and attractive grouping... The dialogue is quite smart, and a cheering avoidI ance of the vulgar is a notable feature. _ Interest centred in the first appearance iin Wellington of Miss Meredith Meredrp, who apeared as the "principal- boy," Prince jCasimir. The new-comer possesses all the 'requisite physical charm for such roles, and acts gracefully, and with spirit. She is somewhat handicapped vocally by a peculiarly small '. yoioe,: which .in singing develops a chronic tremolo. Her solos were "Star of My Life," "My.'Bombardier," and "Hello, Little Boy." In the last number a novel effect, was produced in the use of a handmirror, which 'used in conjunction with the limelight, enabled her to single out indiyiduals in ■ the audience as with a miniature searchlight. It was good fun to all but those so honoured. Miss-Ruth Lincoln comported . herself with becoming ■ modesty as Cinderella, and looked particularly nice. Her. telling soprano was heard to advantage in ■ the ballads "I Want Someone to Love Mo" and "If I Had a Thousand Lives to Live." The comedy was attended to by-Mr. Edirin Brett, as tho Baroness, Mr. Wm. Cromwell as the Baron, and Mr. Tom. :Payne as .Capers. Mr , . Brett, whose comedy bubbles out so naturally, revelled ..in Nthe part of, the old \\;oman. and scored the limit in his songs, "Something to Cuddle" and "I've Struck a Chorus."' As the.Baron, Mr. Cromwell was extremely amusing.. His vocal, climax was "Don't Take Me Homo," and his burlesque culminated in the mock wres-tling match with the Haokenechmidt of the Prince's household. Tom Payne came right out of himsolf as the Baron's pageboy. Ho is an acrobatic dancer of the first order, is full of quiet humour, and has novel ideas in both en--I;nmco and exit. V With Miss Essie Porrin he clogged \vith delightful rythm. Miss Perrin's skipping-rope danco was distinctly unique. In such work she .sets a new standard. The.ngly sisters as.playod:by Misses Daisy Bblmore and Emmeline Orford were not very ugly. Both parts were effectively filled. Mr. Harold Thorley appeared as Dandini, doing very well with that self-satisfied air #hafc no donbt belongs to the character. His solo, "I want You to Seo My Girl," was of the tawdry class, and something a little better could he substituted with profit. A novelty in ensemble dances was the Xylophone Ballet, in whioh t&e dancers play part of the tune on xylophones hung on their backs. Mr. Victor Champion's orchestra played satisfac"Cinderella" can only bo played for three nights longer, aad a matinee• will, also be given. On Monday next its glittering accessories will he packed away in favour of Leslio Stuart's musical comedy, [The Belle of Mayfair," the box plan for which will open at the Dresden.this morning.