"BOY BLUE"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2700, 21 February 1916, Page 2

"BOY BLUE"

NEW PANTOMIME SEASON. "Boy Blue," a pantomime in two acts, by Frank Taylor. Cast: Boy Blue Hi6s Essie Jennings King C'ole Mr. Will Rayner Johnny Stout Miss Carmen Coleman Fairy Bay Star Miss Annie Lillimumi Red Biding' Hood Miss Kosie Coleman The AVolf Mr. Richard Dunbar Matilda Mr. Rupert Greene Mother Goose Mr. James Gerald In New Zealand we take our Christmas pantomime when we can get it, but whenever it comes there are large audiences to welcome it, <iiid an undiminished army to Jaugli at tho jocular nonsense wo have all heard beforo in some form or other, to admire tho sprightly ballet in its varying styles of undress, and to marvel at the specialities. "Boy Blue," which was presented to a large audience at the Grand Opera House ou Saturday evening is 110 glittering pageant. As a production it is modest and retifflig, but as an entertainment, of the lightest and most inconsequential character, it has features that should not bo overlooked. Boy Blue, of course, is the Prince Charming of the story. It only needs to bo mentioned that Little Red Riding Hood in escaping from the wolf seeks sanctuary with Mothor Goose, from whom the wicked but horribly merry King Cole steals her, to the annoyance of Boy Blue, who, without 11111011 ado, effects a rescue. There is a Demon King and good Fairy Daystar, to exert counter influences on the characters, but no ono seems to mind them, or the story itself very much. The pantomime is unusually well stocked with good swinging songs of a catchy, order, tho choruses of which are heartily shouted by a raucousvoiced chorus of sprightly girls, who also supply the incidental ballets. The principals on the whole are fairly well up in their business. Miss Essie Jennings makes a hand-some and physically satisfying Boy Blue, who speaks her lines intelligently and sings rather well. Tho most popular of her numbers were "Down in Burgundy," "Waiting on the Mississippi Shore." Miss Jennings also made a decided impression in a capital patriotic song, entitled "We're Really Proud of You," which has a particularly tuneful refrain. To this song a tableau was appended dopictirtg our soldiers in the trenches, whilst at tho invitation of the singer the public rained coins on the stage in aid of the fund for the sick and wounded soldiers. Mr. James Gerald, as Mother Goose, has a fund of quiet humour, that cue has to acquire a taste for before appreciation conies. As usual the rumour is commonplace and of the broadest character. T1 oro are ono or two vi.l.ihat- tho nunagement woi'j ill' well to out out, \ihile it is not all necessary for tlio dame to swear so consistently throughout the ovoning. Mr. Gerald is a capital acrobat, and much of tho laughter he raised was due to his funny falls. He was amusing as the schoolmistress, but the paper' hanging scene w;;s ever so far nw&j from its ,original form a comedy point of view. Mr. Will Rayner, who appeared as Old King Colo in tho dress of ono of the moth -eat ou pirates iron I'c'cr Pan's ship o' dreams,, is not excessively funny as' a comedian. Ho is better than that — a very excellent twer singer, and ibat his really remarkable voico was not heard linre often i*as one of the general regrets of tho audionco as a wholo. His singing of "Tho Veteran's Song" was something to remember. Not only has ho at his command a clarion-clear voice of the correct tenor timbre, but he sings with a degroe of onlture seMom heard in pantomime. Mr. .Rayner received ail ovation, and in response sang "Mother Machree" with the same expressive charm. This voice is tho pantomime's outstanding fef.ture, and its golden qualities uhiuld not- bo wasted in comic ditties in the first part. Johnny Stoat; acrobatic musicians they fiddle eontinuwas played in a. thick wooden manner by Miss Carmen Coleman, and Miss Rosie Coleman fluttered about as Red Riding Hood, making her biggest vocal success in the pretty song "In the Heart of Maryland," where Mr. Rayner from behind harmonised very effectively, 'The Fredo Brothers provide a very clover specialty act, which made a- hit with Saturday's audience. As acrobatic musicians they fiddle continuously as they perform a number of difficult feats with remarkable agility and ccrtitude. A transformation scene representing the four'seasons brought the pantomime to a close.

The Stanley M'Kay Pantomime Company, which is introduced by Mr. George Stephenson, and lias Mr. Frank Taylor as its musical director and general stage manager, will run throughout the week.