PANTOMIME AT ELTHAM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 21 May 1913, Page 7

PANTOMIME AT ELTHAM.

Ml- “Pip” Powell says an engagei m ent in J. C. Williamson’s pantomime is the most interesting in the world. In England, he says, a pantomime run rarely lasts more than eleven weeks, when it is “hack to the 1 halls” for those who can get hookings, and-enforced idleness for those I who cannot. Mr Powell prefers cou- | ditiong here. In an interview with “The Theatre,” ho said: “It is really a jolly time touring New Zealand. In the North Island we had our own train all the while. It was a lengthy one at that. The stage staff had a large Saloon carriage at the hack to themselves. This they termed the Royal Palace, and on the windows were pasted such notices as ‘Buffet,’ ‘This way to the American Bar, ‘Anyone found guilty of bringing in intoxicating liquors will have them summarily dealt with.’ Some of the towns we*went to had a population of three or four thousand people. Naturally the influx of 130 of us was more than the hotel accommodation was equal to. The wires on this question that flashed between towns, must have greatly ■ swelled the postal revenue. When the replies weren’t too satisfactory you’d see the \ fastest sprinters of the company (both sexes) cutting out the distance between the railway station and the town in a way that put Marathon runners in the kindergarten class. Eltham was a town of this order. H. B. Irving had visited it. After His, performance lie Tiad been entertained by the townspeople, and getting back to the hotel after midnight he found it in darkness.' All his efforts failed to wake anyone. Behold, then, the moody Dane shinning up the tire escape, and letting himself in at his open window. This led to complaints being lodged with the stewards. The J. C. Williamson representatives wrote to the corporation of Eltham, saving that the town would have to be blotted out so far as the New Zealand itinerary was concerned unless it was seen that proper provision was made for companies.

Now', Eltham particularly wanted to ■see the pantomime, and considered that it was up to the townspeople to make it possible. The big wigs of the village accordingly met. It was decided that the citizens put their spare bedrooms at our disposal. Result : The vicar took four of the ballot; the butcher, baker and tailor also did their best; and generally w r e were made very comfortable. I may say that the charming lady who played the mermaid and the hind legs of the camel were housed beneath the roof of the Mayor. Wo had a glorious departure next morning. The air being crisp and the sun bright, Mrs Pow;e!l and I decided to walk to the station. The local cabby, however, wouldn’t hear of it. He .insisted on driving us for nothing, and I rewarded him with a couple of bottles, of beer taken from the Royal Palace when intoxicants were summarily dealt with. We all look forward to Eltham again.”