“ELFIN DELL.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 300, 3 December 1936, Page 2

“ELFIN DELL.”

CHARMING PERFORMANCE I .- - Success Of Original Stratford Pantomime.

The original pantomime, “Elfin Dell," staged in the Town Hall on Tuesday night, was a brilliant success. The hall was crowded and many people could not be accommodated, even standing.

Miss Spearman is to be congratulated upon her very charming ballets, and her own solo dance of “Lucky .Star," which was encored. The costumes were most gorgeous, nearly all designed and made by Mrs. Spearman, some of the parents helping. The dressing of all these small people is no mean task, and Miss Esther Spearman must come in for much credit for being so quick and efficient behind the scenes, where she was aided by Mrs Spearman. Miss J. Beale was a capable stage manager. - The different ballets were as follows :■ —“Mickey the Mouse” (Dulcie Evans—Daddy, Delma Carter —Mummy, C. Harris, 0. Norris, M. Beere, J. Smith, L. Butcher, J. Brewer, N. Nicol, R. Walker); “Tap Rhythm” (Sylvia Scott, Rex Thompson); “Statues” (song, Jean Elgar and Jean Harkness; ballet, J. Brewer, L. Butcher, M. Rogers, N. Nicol, C. Harris, D. Evans); ' “Plyamates” (girls—M. Peick, J. Scott, T. Barker, V. Sherwood; boys—P. ! Tunbridge, E. Cruickshanks, J. Eva, Scott); "Dance of the Hours” (N. Nicol, M. Lawrence, D. Robertson, ,0. (Norris, J. Smith, L. Butcher); “Fairlies" (M. Beere, D. Carter, N. Pellett, . C. Harris, M. Rogers, J. Brewer); “Mortals* Dream”,(T. Cox, P. Jones); j “Cupids” (S. Milne, J. Blanchard, R. j Whittington, C. Jacobsen, E. Summerfield); “Spirit'of Happiness” (song and dance, J. Elgar); “Lost Babes in the Wood” (N. Pellett, M. Lawrence); “Former Babes” (M. Rogers, J. 'Rogers); “Butterflies” (J. Harknesi, B. Reader); “Dickey Birds' Hop” (Bluebird—C. Harris; Blackbird —J. Smith; Dove—L. Butcher; Canary—D. Evans; Witch Nixie —M. Peick); “Naughty Witches” Ballet (J. Barker, E. Cruickshanks, P., Tunbridge, J. Rogers, J. Eva) ; “Elves’ Ballet” (B. Reader, T. Stallard, J. Rogers, N. Pellett, J. Pellett, p.. Carter); Elfin King’s Dances of “Revenge and Rage” (Mr. D. Paton); “Parade,” solo (O. Norris): “Guards” (C. Whitmill, K. Rogers, E. Anderson,Rogers, E. Reeves, E. Long, Lamp lough), “Drum Major” (Delma Carter); “Bell Boys” (W. Anstis, P. Baker,-K. Purchase, L. Scott, D. Davis, L. Horne);.,.“Lucky Star” (solo—N. Spearman; ballet—O. Rogers, Pi Tunbridge, J. Rogers, T. Baker, N. Pellett, J. Eva, E. Cruickshanks ,M- Peick).

The funny side of a pantomime, which is so very essential, was well sustained by “Susie the White Butterfly” Nurse, Garry and Miranda Cassefly, H. Goodman and D. Patten. Mr and Mrs Hackett (Miss E. Moon and Mr. H. von Sturmer) “brought

the house-down,” arriving on their tandem. The messenger boy, A. McKenzie, was very amusing, and the "paper boy,” W. AnsUs, would be useful in any office. ~

j" Mrs. Mcßeth as the "prlina donna” was charming, her beautiful voice heard to great advantage in “Il

Baccio,” which was insistently encored. Later she sang “Lucky Star” -very artistically. Miss Esplin as a gipsy sang a very pretty song with humming chorus. Mr. Day as “Geordie” was well received in his gipsy song, and as encore gave “Believe Me •If All Those Endearing Young Charms.” Betty White led the young gipsy troupe. The pantomime was written and produced by Mrs. M. Uniacke. As so many were turned away, it will be staged again on Monday, the proceeds to be donated to the Hospital radio fund. A surprise party was given at Mrs Uniacke’s residence after the performance of the pantomime.