"DICK WHITTINGTON"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 9

"DICK WHITTINGTON"

A PANTOMIME DE LUXE "Dick Whittingtoii," a pantomime in two acts, written by Ueorge Slater and sujapled by Eardley Tiiriuir. Cast:— Dick WhiltinKton .'. Vera Pe.irrc Princess Rosy Dawn Pearl Latlil Alice Fitzwarrcn Pauline Itindlev Mora 'Wielma Bivruee'e Hujiert Conetanco Oaylev Oulcibellts Klhel Walker Ton". Marjory Wiggs Premier Dansouse Masftie Dickinson Mary ;. Arthur Htieant Tommy Billy Lc llrun UedeiHo Yilliers Arnold Alderman I'iUwarrcn Wm. FiillbrooU" Captain Rarnacle :.:..... Claude Bantocls Premier Dmiscur Sidney I'ates Johnny Urnesl, Langrorn JSmperor of Morocco Howard Vernoii lillf Jack Harry Koibury

Of all the theatrical attractions that visit the Dominion during the year the surMt to draw is (he annual pantomime provicle.l by J. C. Williamson,. Ltd., which firm, in this regard at all events, can alwnp be relied upon to produco a show thnt is calculated, in its manifold ingr«Benb, to please all lastes and aifte.

"Dick Whittington," which line been going since Christ mas last, is an excellent example offtlu , modern pantomime, where nil is gaiety anil illusion; it speeds along at a hand gallop from 8 o'clock till p.m., and (=0 excellent is the entertainment that the time passes as though aided by a magicinnV.wa.ncl. More than anything the reason for this 13 the very fine east that (fives Buch vitality and verve to the perlonnaucc. It is .difficult to recall a bolter cast in this class of entertainment without going , a very lony. way back—the comedy, (perhaps'ln place? a trille Ics.i refined' than it might be), the singing, and tho dancing, are all lip to tho best standards, if not a liltle higher. ]:'rom a siiectncular point of view there have been better pantomimes, but at the same timo there- are some beautiful stage setlings, such as the -Emperor's Garden, tho- delicate futurist; setting for the delectable "Vogue" ballet, and tho gorgeous scene in which Dick Whittingtoii sets flail for foreign parts. Obviously this wus before Uie war, for tho galleon is beautifully studded with -electriuli[;h(s from stem to stern, and' the only "lights out" order given was en the lowering of tho curtain on the first act. Air. VV.-K. Coleinau was.chiefly responsible for the scenery.' The story' of how poor Dick Whittingtoii seeks his fortune in London and rises to affluence by tlio aid of his wonderful cut is'well defined. The iirst big scene is enacted in the warehouso of Alderman Fity.wiirren, where • Dick iiuiis employment not. only for his hands, but his heart, for the fair Alice Fitzwarren is-a very charming little girl, who sings like an angel, and poor Hick, who is a Jieiiutifiilly proportioned youth, becomes her slave. liut ■. ho": i ■ has «- rival in Lazy Jack, who plants stolen money in his pouch, forsooth, aiid-then accuses Dick of tho theft. It is then that he is turned, out, and is leaving London broken-hearted,' when, in •Highgate, Hill, the hells ring tut "Turn again, Whittingtoii, Lord Mayor of' London!" Dick, urged by an alluring series •. of temptations deftly presented in tho form of meaningful ballets, turns back to London; is financed in a voyage round the world, is wrecked.. on. tjio coast of Morocco, where the Sultan gives him a fortune for the use of his cat to exterminate tho plague of rats that exists in the dusky monarch's kingdom; and so back to London , and all the pomp ami pride of' Lord Mayordom. :

Miss Vera Peurce returns to Wellington as Dick, and a very admirable youth she presents. Shu has the'swing, solidity, and (lash necessary for such a role.' It would not be exaggerating to say that she is 0110 of the best "boys" we hnv<* ever seen, for in addition to her wellestablished claim to physical -beauty, fiho singe well, and is a dancer that is pleasurable to watch. She mado a good impression early in tho pnntomiino with her spirited soldier song, "When tho Boys Come Back," which has a company of-soldiers and Ked Cross girls to give it Hair. Her other songs, both with pretty ballet trimmings, were "And. they Called it Dixie-Land,"- aiid the "Iliuvaiiaii Butterfly." Her duet, "My-and-by You - Will Misa Me," with Sties Bindley, was sung; with much charm and finish. Jliss Paulino Bindley, known hitherto enly on the concert platform, made a very pleasing Alice, .unci lifted- the pnntomiino —vocally—clear out of the ruck. Her full musical soprnnn, showing all (lie virtues of a sound, training, was heard to advantage in "Love Bring lon Safely to Our Arms Again," but it was in "Tho Songs My Mother Sang" that sho enraptured the audience with tho delicacy of her art. Her pianissimo treatment of eorae of the old ballads in this number were sturbeams of song. An outstanding performer in the piuitoniiiuo is Miss Maggie Dickinson, the premiere danseuso, who is more of a vital spark than ever. There is a. dainty point and vim about her dancing that places her in a hpecial niche by herself. In "Cheer Ho!" sho was a brilliant little sprite expressive of youth electrified into joyous action; in the Eastern sailor bullet, she travestied the • hornpipe with comical oiuherance; and in iho charming "Vogue" ballet she, with Mr..Sidney Yates, danced with elegant grace and verve. It was, however, in the "War" bullet that we had tho real dramatic ballet, where Civilisation is depicted by Mr. I'ates, Peace by Miss .Dickinson, and War (a vampire) by Miss Maud Amory. Peace and Civilisntiou aro dancing along very affably, when the grim Vampire in black, cuniiw between them, tho nations parade identifiably, end thei'o the Vampire mixes it until nil. are at war. Finally Civilisation breaks its bonds, and hurls War lo the ground and .rescues Peace from tho slough in which she has been thrown; and at his? bidding the nations throw down' their arms. Peace, posed on Civilisation, waves her clove aloft, until only a pinpoint light is left upon the bird. It is .1 pretty fantasy, evolved with brains. But after nil the comedy is one of the chief lures of a pantomime, imd in this rogaril it is in the very safe hands of a number .of capable comedians, headed by Mr. Artli'uv ijtigant, ,who is n more comical, more outrageous, and more uproarious danio than iwer. His every scone went to the accompaniment of screams of laughter nnconlined, particularly those concerning "Keeping Bues," the sea voyage, and the domestic encounter with Fito.warren. Mr. Stigant is funnier than over, and his "stunts" are unlimited. Mr. Harry KO.l-1 bury is an amusing Lazy' Jack; Mr. Win. Fallbrook an eccentric FiUwarren, find Mr, Ernest Langford as an anneinicyoutfi of lamp-post proportions pxtraute doleful hinncur when chances oiler. Mr. Clnuilo Bantock makes a stout and hearty Captain Barnacle, and that doyen of tlio Australasian stage, Mr. Howard A'ernon, is. the Sultan ol Morocco. A capital performance is given as the ICini; of the Kills by Mr. V'illiers Arnold, whose fine voice is heurd to advantage in "The King of (he Night." Miss Pearl Ladd ligures as the Princess "Rosy Dawn, and Miss Constance Cayley makes a shapely Rupert. Miss I'loru Burnesj, a jm'cniic performer, sang charmingly, but, for her years, thu number was ill-chosen. '.I be i!.:et ■''■ 1.-." was very prettily sung and (lanced by Miss Burnoss and diminutive Miil'jo.-iu Wiggs I'l'ormtrly of Wellington) , , a child of decided promisi , . As tsiial Billy le Brim was really admirable as Tom [hi Ci:(. Though T.oni is beginning to look the worse for wear, he is a wonderful cit.

The mio specially in the pantomime is I lml provided by'iiic- Cniuille Trio, expert comedy horizontal-bar performers, who do tlis most astonishing feats in rapid succession. Among Iho more remarkable of the ballets special meution should be mado of the Ballet of the Temptations, in. which, pleasure, wealth, and beauty aro offered to tho doubting Dick in the mists of Highgale , Hill, and the "Vogue" ballet, in which modern fashions are elegantly exaggerated and embellished, is a dclighlf'il feature uf the performance, Iho dresses having a distinct interest to both sexes. "Dick Whittingtoii" was produced by Mr, C. IF. Weiiman, and the incidental music was writlou by Mr. Victor Champion. Mr. A. Ainadio U Ihe musical director, and Mr. .T. O. tYhitlieK is once uiiiro I lie slo.au lmnuigcr.