"OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5084, 4 February 1927, Page 2

"OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.”

STANLEY McKAY PANTOMIME. GOOD RECEPTION AT PAEROA. After an absence of three years thE Stanley McKay Pantomime Company returned to Paeroa on Wednesday night and staged the pantomime “Old Mother Hubbard” before a large audience. Collectively, the show was not up to the previous standard set by Mr McKay. Some of the patter was bordering on the vulgar side, and the continuous kicking at each other by thQ principals was considerably overdone. The. Dame, acted by Arthur Meredith ,was rather crude at times, but he doubtlessly appealed to a section o'f the audience. Maudie, Stewart, as Sally Horner, made the most off her part, and was well received. Madeline Knight as Bluebelle applE of hEt' mother’s eye) was unsuited to the part she had to play, and was anything but the'slim, light-footed Bluebelle one would expect. However, what she lacked in stage appearance and acting was to somE extent compensated for by her voice. Miss Knight pleased with her rendering of “Pixie Piper Man,” and other numbeis Laurie. McLeod, who is known to kcal playgoers, as the principal boy sustained her part with dignity and charm. Her interpretation of an Eastern dance in character was gracefully executed and deservedly applauded. Frank Perryn in the character off Grammadelta, the mighty ruler, played his part with austere dignity, and his song, “King of the Night,” revealed that he has a, pleasing and tuneful voice. Will Raynor invoked much merriment as Archibald, the troublesome husband of Old Mother Hubbard. His rich baritone voice was heard to advantage in “Sally in iir Alley,” and for an encore his contribution of “An Irishman’s Dream” was equally pleasing. Georgie Martin as Hafiz (th.e Emperor’s shadow), and Jack Raymond as Ponto, the "dawg,” completed the characters in the play. A ballet of six girls danced pleasingly, and helped to keep things moving. The star item of the. entertainment was that provided by the Four Little. Kellys. These girls, the youngest of whom is only seven years of age, proved themselves musicians of unusual ability, playing classical numbers, sweet old melodies, and jazz with equal success. Leone is an unusually talented violinist, and little Daisy introduced an exhiliarating Charleston effectively whilst still playing her violin. The turn aroused great enthusiasm, the youthful pEr'formers being recalled no less than four times.