"ONCE UPON A TIME"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 29, 29 October 1919, Page 10

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

A. FATItY PLAY. Then; is a very delightful legend invented by Sii' James Barrie to the cffect tlint; if a person, does not. believe in fairies lie cannot expect to see them; bo it is that when people do not love children they cannot expect to be entertained by Hiss Gladys Campbell's annual dancing pageant which opened at the Grand Opera House last evening. If applause be any guide, those who attended had tlio magic "open sesame" to enjoyment in their hearts. The dancinir interlude—and it is mostly the dance tliat counts—takes the form this year of the fairy play "Once ; Upon a Time" (by Mrs. Madge Beaumont), a simple yet withal picturesque idea, in which Mary; -who is cverv so contrary, goes to sleep in her own garden, and is;wafted off to Dreamland by distinctly animated flowers. who for once are gathered together iu full' bloom at tho one time. Mary is naturally wonder-struck by her exnericnces. but is still so contrary that she is haled before the High Court of Dreamland, and the sentence of ' the sieeuv iudse is that no one must over do what she wants—a sentence that would suit the misdemeanours of lots of people we know. From Dreamland to Wampylaiul is iust across the road, and there Marv and her brother Bob (who has followed her) are permitted to view the coronation -of the King and Queen, and thn attendant revels. Whilst the firsc three vrc-ro lacking in. sustained interest, and n trifle slow in action, tho final act was full of capital mumming, and good dancing by a host of. iuveniles well trained to the joyous business of the hour. In this act appear in rapid succession _ all the nursery rhymes one could conjure up, dressed" so us to bo easily recognisable to all ages in'front. This was one of the real delights of the evening, and tho children who participated deserve just as much credit for their pretty performance as tho 0110 who conceived tho happy scene. Then, when a shimmering litllo goldeji haired Cupid had shot lovo arrows promiscuously at all and sundry (including tho fly-men), a jolly maypole, dance- was frollickeu through in tho gayest spirit. Then the pole disappeared, to make way for the money ballet, with silver, gold, and copper prancing merrily to tho jinglo of many coins enspan"liiig their costumes. Finally Miss F. Muter executed a pas. do seul as tho Spirit of the Flowers, and contrary Mary was deported . once more to tho mundane earth per medium of an enchanted' well. Mary was impersonator - with proper acrimony by -Jliss Irene Marsh, and sho had a bright-spirited partner in Miss .N'gairo I'hipson as Bob, who spoko tho lines with intelligent animation and danced charmingly. Another clever aixl ■attractive performer was Miss Blsio-Dick as liuy Blue, whose natural mate seem, od to be little 80-l'eej) (Miss Joyce Julian) who was charged by the fantastic Ureainlanders with los.iug her sheep by cultivating sleep. Tho fascinating chitbbiness of tiny Zeliiia Carroll' as tho Fairy. Dancer, .'captured tho fancy of tho audience, and her danco with tho Tin Soldier was ono of tho goms of. the play. Miss Kathleen Boyle as Injustice once more stood out as a'dancer of dramatic instinct. Kverything she does is vital with action and "meaning, and tho scene.between Injustice and Justice in tho court was distinctly well done. Miss Una Gallichan spoko tho lines of His Sleepiness the Midge of Dreamland clearly and with intelligence. Miss Ellen Miller was tho King, and Miss Hazel Fuller the Queen, and Atiss Sl.iotUi.nder was well cast as'tho .v.iiiablo spirit of Eeality. _ . Among the many dances included in the play, the minuet danced - by' Misses F. Muter and 0.. Kmythson was danced with rare daintiness, although one would have, preferred to see tho tip-too steps omitted from tho measure, theatrical '.icense notwithstanding. The Baliet'ot the Vices was cleverly thought out and danccd with graco and agility. Tho Baby Ballet, danced .by real babies, ever so prettily dressed, was also charming and, at tub same time, most amusing., Most of the dancing was executed by , bare-footed girls, and was of that variety of free, graceful flowing movements which.- Jiavo been adapted ' from early Grecian models. This style of dancing was '• interlarded , with tip-toe measures, which is not a style adapted to very young children, and which can only bo accomplished to perfection by trained ballerinas. ; Miss .Ukuiys Campbell was the general trainer and director; Mr.' I', Lathiuu managed tho stage, and held' the book, and an orchestra 'under Air; A. Truda played some delightful danco music. Among Uiose present.were tho Countess. of Liverpool and, a party from Uoveniment House. "Onco lipon a Time".'will bo performed again' this and to-morrow evenings.