AMUSEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 643, 14 February 1914, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"LITTLE 80-PEEP."

A HIGH CLASS PRODUCTION

The puldie of Te Kuiti seldom have an opportunity of attendine such a high-class production as that which WBB staged by the Roynl Pantomine Company on Thursday night at the Town Hull, hv Mr Gvoive Stephenson. Everyone th" stnrv of little 80-prop, but the revised version as unfolded hy the Royal Pantomime Company elaborates the orthodox version and shows that 80-peep was stolon hy a witch at birth, was brought up by Widow Bumpkin, was wooed and won by Jack Straw, and was really found to bo the long lost ward of the Shah of Cashmir. The fun of the pioco falls on Widow Bumkin, and the impersonation of the character as presented to Te Kuitians, constituted a delightful comedy, while her two songs, "Early in the Morning " and "Good Morning: How are You?" made a great hit. In a less degree Bertha Ashman as Simple Simon, and Walter Cornock as "The Shah of Caehmir," kept the fun going, th<> tatter's song "I'm the Shah Tarantara" being the most tuneful item in the score. Miss Elsie Nicholas made a dainty Little Bopeep, and aho possesses a sweet mezoz-soprnno voice, which was heard to advantage in her numbers "Little 80-peep," and the duet "In Sweet Arcadia" with Jack Shnw (Miss Kathleen Mack ) Tho minor parts of the Shah's Vizier and his sister "Princess Dinazaidee" received capable treatment from Miss Esmee McLennan and Misa Cora Terry. The production was noticeable for lavish costuming and staging, and the dancing in the various ballets was above the ordinary. In the first half there was an extremely pretty floral ballet folio wad hy a contortionst specialty given by tho Anderson trio, which is the cleverest turn of its kind seen in Te Kuiti. In the second part of the programme the Gresham four introduced a splendid acrobatic turn which met with general satisfaction, and there was some exellent dancing shown in tho gavotte. The play concluded with a grand military march and transformation scone of "The Four seasons," which made a particularly fine colour effect. At the conclusion of the performance Mr Stephenson, addressing the audience, referred to the disabilities under which the piece was produced in consequence of the of the hall and lack of stage facilities. In the course of his remarks he said the position of Te Kuiti on the Main Trunk railway and the size of the town demanded a hall which would induce high chins companies to stage crood productions. Personally, he intended making regular tours and would be only too glad to stage at To Kniti providing a suitable theatre was available. He strongly advised the public of Te Kuiti to take the matter up and so secure the attendance of all the best companies which would be passing through. EMPRESS PICTURES. "Grandmother's Lamp."--The associations attached by the aged grandmother to an old lamp aie revived by well-mr nt attempt on the part of her descendants to replace it by a more modern one. and she tells the story of tho incidents many years earlier, in which the lamp played a leading part, and which brought her and her future husband together. The dramatic iiK-idr-«nts >f tae courtship, incidentally providing vivid pictures of the Italian campaign for frei dom, make a subject of altogether exceptional power for which an enthusistic reception is assured.