“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1914, Page 5

“OLD MOTHER HUBBARD."

The presentation of the pantomime at the Town Hall last night was not witnessed by a crowded house by any means—in fact, the audience was akin to Mother Hubbard herself, being decidedly thin. For the sake of the requirements of the panto, this is as it should bo as far as the chief character in the play is concerned, but the treasurer wants something more in the cupboard than a bone. On the face of last night’s crowd, it is doubtful whether there will be enough left after paying “exs” to procure even a bone, to say nothing oi cold meat, to put in the household cupboard. However, notwithstanding the prospect, the performance went with a swing, and was quite up to the standard of previous productions under the management of Messrs Stephenson and Linloy. Miss Kathleen Mack, as principal boy, was as rollicking and a,s free as over, and infused into her love parts all the ardor and passion of the average lovesick swain. She seemed quite as concerned about her attire as these youths generally are under similar circumstances; her tunic was short—no doubt she has grown out of it—and it required pulling down at times! Miss Mack and Miss Elsie Nicolas as .Mine Bell made a handsome pair. As Sally Horner, Miss Bertha Ashman shared with Mr Cornock, as Mother Hubbard, the honors of the show; and both gave a clever interpretation of their parts. Mr Loydale, the better half of Mother Hubhard, was nothing if not entertaining and was a great favorite with the audience. Of course there was the “dawg” ; Ponto, like the others, was also hungry—at any rate, he looked it. The specialties by the Anderson trio and the acrobatic acts of the four Greshams were decidedly clever, as well as being new. The staging of the pantomime was excellent, and the orchestra well-tuned and appreciated.