ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1883, 17 October 1913, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROYAL PANTOMIME CO.

"LITTLE 80-PEEP." "Little lio-Peep," a musical pantomime, in two acts, by Mr. Harry Taylor. Cast: — Little 80-Pcep Rita Webb Jack Straw Kathleen Hack Camaralziimati Walter Cornock Tho Vizier li-nie M'Lcnnan Simple Simon Bertha Ashman Princess Dinaznideo Cora Terry Bedoura Fraulein Hertlez The Widow Bumpkin Bruce Drysdale Duncan M'Tavish Victor Loydall

Almost anything serves as a peg whereon to hang a pantomime, and the frail storyetto of "Little 80-I'eep," the diminutive Arcadian, who had tho grievous misfortune to lose her sheep in territory where there was no legitimate means of advertising for. them, serves almost as woll as any other. At any rate it served to introduco to Wellington playgoers at the Opera House last ovemng Stanley M'Kay s lioyal Pantomime Company, which aims at and succeeds in giving a very bright show at popular prices. Judging by tho mannor in which "80-Peep" was received by a large audience, and tho merry work put in by the members of the company, there is amplo room for this class of entertainment at-moderate prices of admission. ■ Whilst there are no outstanding stars to dazzle' one's comprehension, tho people employed are capable and conscientious in their efforts to please, and though it was the first performance since tho assembling of the presorit forces, the action was remarkably smooth,- dull moments being few and far between.' A most attractive feature of the pantomime is the attention thnth as boon given to the wardrobe and tho mounting. B.oth chorus and ballot aro very handsomely costumed, and tho various bright and attractive guises in which they appear contribute valuable colour effects to tho various ensemblos, so gaily framed by the clever brush work, of Mr. Harry Whaito.

To add circumstanco and incident to tlio nnrritti,vo of "80-Peep," that child of Nature is given a lover, in bold Jack Straw, and a foster-mother in that comical old party, the Widow .Bumpkin; but tho lovo affairs of the sheopless maiden and her lover do not run smoothly, owing to tho astounding revelation mado by a wandering Shnli of Persia to tlm effect that he is 80-Peep's real guardian, and that she is by birth a real Princess, who must not marry any mero Jack Straw who chooscs to como her way. _ There is only one way Jack may win the girl of his heart, and that lies in the finding of a valuable gold locket, stolen from tho Shah many moons before by an evilly-disposed witch. The arduous task is readily undertaken by the valorus Jack, and tho locket is finally restored to the golf-loving Shah to the joy of all concerned. As in all pantomimes tho narrative is merely incidental to a string of cheerful songs, ballads, choruses, and ballets, which givo fcho members of tho company full license to display tlieir varied talents. In Miss Kathleen Mack tho company possesses a bright actress, plentifully endowed with physical charms. _ Incidental to tho final act she sings a soldier song,'to which is appended a deft exhibition of silver-baton swinging Miss Mack also sings the song, "My 80-Peep," and harmonises with Miss Rita Webb (80-Peep) in tho pretty duet, "Down a Shady Lane." Miss Webb makes 80-Peep a winsome and modest little lady, whoso methods err a"'little on; tho ! sidd': of " timidity, which, in .pantomime, hardly counts as a virtuo. Mr. iinico Drysdalo makes the .AVidow Bumpkin a -very lively old person with a. creakv voice, a violent taste in clothes, and a merry tongue that is already on flippant terms with peoplo in tlio public cyo. He was quite a success in the vocal absurdity M_v3elf Away," and was extremely amusing in his sketch a la Genee, "Little Miss Turpentine." Hie Widow also contributed her share to tho p.aiety of tho topical duet, "We'll Sing Ri-tooral-ooral-ay." Simple Simon found a fairly 'capable exponent in Miss Bertha Ashman, who. is tlio liveliest dancer of the company. She sang "Tfie Fowls of the Barnyard," and "On tho Fjrm" (which was given a picturesque Dutch ballet as a background). Mr. Walter Cornock appeared to advantage as the Shah, and Miss Cora Torry made an extremely handsome Princess in her pretty harem dross. Mr. Victor Loydall was rather pointless in his comedy business as Duncan M'Tavish, and was hardly happy in hi choice of songs. Miss Esmo made a shapely Vizier, and Little 80-Peep's fairy guardian was nicely plaved by a young lady whoso name is omitted from the programme. A clever dancing corrtortionistic • and acrobatic specialty is provided by Belle Joy and Billy, and the Greshams introduced a skit on tho militant suffragettes. Other features were tho march and tableaux, "Children of the Empire," a dainty gavotte, and the vividly-toned transformation scene entitled "The Four Seasons." Tho book and music are by Mr. Harry Tavlor, who conducted the orchestra; Mr. W. Cornock directed the stage; and Miss Ethel Clifford controlled the ballet.

"80-Peep" will hold the boards until Saturday night. There will be a special matinee performance of the-pan-tomime to-morrow afternoon. t

SHORTTS' PICTURE! ■ A new programme was screened at Shortts' Theatro yesterday, the premier picture being a dramatic study, entitled "The Triumph of Strength." To §ccuro realism in a symbolic group, entitled "Tho Triumph of Strength," a sculptor hires a number of lions as models. Tho- animals are conveyed to his Btudio, whence, owing to carelessness on the part of the trainer, they break loose. Cut off from escape, and unarmed, tho sculptor and his child, confined tho studio with the savage beasts, form the central figures in a thrilling scene. All ends well, however, tho horoisin of the sculptor's wife figuring extensively in the denouement. "God's Inn by tho Sea" is a light drama, figuring on tho bill. The current edition of tho Pathe English Gazetto is a good one, depicting, as it docs, many of tho most interesting of recent foreign events. "A Tour in Japan" is a very fair, scenic item, and "Those Good Old Days" is a capital comic item by the Kcystono Co. The programme will bo repeated to-day.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Skeleton in tho Cupboard" is tho feature picturo of tlie bill at the Empress Theatre. Tho prograinmo was announced by tho management as an anniversary ono, as it is just a year since the premises opened as a continuous picture theatre. "Tho Skeleton in the Cupboard" concerns Kitty Hawkins, a young school tcacher, who, on returning to her father's ranch out west, finds that ho has become implicated in tho deeds of cattle thieves. After somo trouble with her father Kitty runs away and joins a party of pioneers, who are later attacked by Indians. As solo survivor of the fight which takes place Kitty is rescued by Dan. the deputy-sheriff, who takes her to his humble home. Time rolls on and she marries the sheriff, and Dan much dejected at hor choice goes away. Presently, Mason, a member of her father's gang of cattle thieves, comes to tho village where Kitty resides, and learns of her marriage. By threatening to tell the sheriff of her antecedents, be extorts money from her, but Dan, tho de-puty-slieriff, overhears tho conversation and" ho is eventually instrumental in bringing about happy days for Kitty and her husband. "Does Advertising Pay?" ia an Vitasvgsib. Wfljody, aa4

"Nature Studies in a Country Garden" is a good scientific film by tho Pa tho Company. Other pictures aro: "The School Picnic" (comic), "Rambles in Pomlicherry" (scenic), and "Woman in tho Ultimate" (A.B. drama).

THE KING'S THEATRE. Sensational scenes abound in the pictnro drama, u'hich heads the bill at tho King's Theatre this week. It is entitled "The Pretty Ward," and is produced by tho famous Oines Co., of Home. " Supporting items includo_: "A Gentleman's Gentleman" (Edison drama), "Max and tho Lovo Letter" (l'athe Freres comedy), and the "I'atho Gnzette." The programmo will bo repeated this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Marcell and Bell, who aro greeted with vociferous applauso every night at His Majesty's Theatre,, will appear for two more nights only. They aro described as acrobatic dancers, but their turn is bett-cr than that of tho ordinary class of acrobats, and they undoubtedly attract. Practically all the other artists on tho current bill aro also finishing at His Majesty's this week, and the programmo commencing on Monday noxfc will bo an entirely now one.

TOWN HALL CLOCK CONCERT. An appeal is made by the promoters to all citizens to extend their patronage to tho concert in tho Town Hall, miich will bo held on October 22, to raiso funds to purchase a clock for tho tower of the Town Hall. A combined effort is being made by tho local Orphans Club to raise the necessary funds. Tho promoters state tliat tho concert will bo an excellent ono, and includes several selections by Mr. Bernard Pago, Oity Organist, tho clulVs orchestra., and leading local artists. In addition to tho concert the art union for tho ten-guinea , gold nugget will bo drawn under the superintendence of His Worship tho Mayor. Cbncession tickets will bo allowed to all coupon holders. On production of their coupons at tho booking office, tho Dresden, they can obtain front reserved seats at Is. Tho concert will be tinder the patronage of Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool. Tho box plan will open at tho Dresden on Saturday.