“ALADDIN” PANTOMIME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2787, 20 September 1924, Page 3

“ALADDIN” PANTOMIME.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS. CROWDED AUDIENCE. A full house greeted the rise of the curtain at the Town Hali on Thursday evening, when the pantomime “Aladdin” was presented hv Mr Lester Sinclair and Miss Winifred La France. Whatever expectations of the merits of the performance the audience held were fully realised as the various items and scenes were revealed until at the final fall of the curtain those present were heard expressing ecominms on the excellent manner in which the pantomime had been arranged and pi esent.ed.

The programme opened' with a selection by the “Peerless Trio” (Miss K. Patterson, Messrs Cliac. Simmons and B. Walls), and the curtain rose presenting to view a bazaar outside Mrs Shipper’s house. The opening chorus by the company, and almost all succeeding vocal items were encored, whioh marked in unmistakable manner, the appreciation and delight of the audience.

Miss Winifred La France, appearing in the role of “Aladdin,” in-fu-u'd an atmosphere of verve' and motion which kept the production fai above the level of what one might, expect when it, is remembered with the exception of the two principals. the caste is composed of amateur talent. Mr Lester Sinclair as Abnnazar, was as mirth-provok-ing as ever, and his comic songs and sayings kept the audience in a simmer of merriment.

The story of the wonderful lamp, and its influence in uniting the daughter of the Emperor of Bangdom with her lover, Aladdin, was almost, lost in a galaxy of ballets, choruses. songs and novelty items. Mr Bert Hinds appeared as ‘-'The Emperor of Bangdom,” and carried out his part well, also rendering the vocal solos “Sally” and “Sweetheart of Mine.” Miss Doris Morgan, as the “Princess Badronlhadour,” was vcjy captivating, and rendered her various vocal efforts clearly and sweetly. Mr .Tack Perreau, in the onerous role of Mrs Slapper, mother of Aladdin, was a somewhat delapidnted lady.- whose tastes in colour ran the whole gamut of the rainbow and whose style of apparel combined the Oriental with the native Hawiinn, ornamented with the iron cross of the Kaiser. Mr Andy Reid appeared as the “Grand Viser” and his vocal efforts found considerable favour with the audience. Mr A. Smith, “The African Magician,” Mr Hector Perreau, “Genii of the lamp and ring, and Miss Marjory Nelson, as “Fairy Godmother,” complete the caste of principals, all of whom carried out the parts very well.

Of the speciality ‘ items. Miss La France rendered “When I Wanted You,” and, with little Hazel Hinds, “Aehoo”; together with her inimitable child impersonations. Maggy Smith, in the cave scene —one of the best settings we have seen done here —presented a toe specialty dance as “The Spirit of the Lamp” which was deservedly encored. The vocal trio by Miss D. Morgan and Messrs Reid and Hinds and also the duet by Messrs Hinds aud Reid were neeely harmonised. Little Miss Gay, as “The Spider,” surprised the audience with the trapeze and contortionist work. Doris Rimmer and Joyce Shaw, in “Baggy Breeches,” were winsome and sang sweetly. Eutre acts were provided by Mi’ H. E. Bennett, the popular P.iM. tenor and the Peerless Trio of musicians. Little .Joyce Rammer as “Everlasting Love,” presented herself in the dual act, bringing with her the happiness of Aladdin and his Princess. A luimyrous male quartette, “What Shall We Do ?” made amusing reference to well-known local citizens.

The chorus aud ballet, who provided an ever-changing back-ground of movement aud colour, aud a volume, of vocal accompaniment, was made up of the following winsome lassies: —Grace Reader, Myrtle Gay, .Joyce Skaw, Dorotky Rimmer, Ula Tkompson, Joyce Martin, Hazel Hinds, Zena McArtney, Connie MeArtney, Winifred Harris, Olga Saviile, Maggie Smitk, ivy Gay, Mamie McCartkey, Kathleen Martin, Alexa Morgan, Oriel Robinson, Edith Henskie, Kina Kelson, Marjory Kelson, ithoda Hoffman, Olive Andrew. Black slaves: Guy Skaw, Frank Gay, Keith Martin, Will Beard. It is impossible within tke space uL our disposal to do justice to tke production, it being sufficient to say that Mr Lester Sinclair, as author and producer, assisted by Miss La France, kas exhibited exceptional talent in bringing the production to suck a high standard in so short a time. In thanking patrons on Thursday evening, Mr Sinclair annouced that the pantomime would be repeated at a matinee this afternoon and again on Tuesday evening when those who were unable to be present at the initial performance should not fail to see this production.