"MOTHER GOOSE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 17 September 1907, Page 2

"MOTHER GOOSE."

A GREAT SUCCESS, "It was infinitely better than I thought it possible to be," was the opinion expressed of last night's performance of -Mother Goose" by one lady as she moved out of the Theatre buildings. In saying this the lady but voiced the general verdict. People expected something unique, something rich, something bordering on the marvellous, and went to the Theatre feeling that they Avere going to be sumptuously treated. Their expectations were fully realised in truth, more than realised. Lust week every seat that could be booked was looked, even those in proximity to the pit, and it was not surpusing that the building was packed) so much so that many people could not find seats and had to stand out the three and three-quarter hours of the performance, whilst some could not even gam standing-room and had to be turned awaj. It was a record house for a record performance. The pantomime was submitted in its entirety: just as it was given at Sydney, Melbourne, and j urkland, so it was put on in the local theatre, allowing, of course, for the difference m the stage appointments. From the time the curtain was raised till it nmg down for the evening the amliewe was deeply interested and in a state of merriment, delectable dish alter dish being served up w IJi kaleidoscopic variation. The scenery anil lighting cilects were as extraordintii\ as they were clever, and showed; what strides have been made of late in' this department of histrionics. "Mother Goose is a fairy tale, in the interpretation of which a eerie* of beautiful ballets, choruses, grotesque animal iinpeisona lions, acrobatic performances, i.e\ei (litiH'ing, and eomeilv "business" are incorporated. The heavy part falls on .Mother (,oosc" (Mr. Ifarry Hiyia).> «•'«> derives her nana, from her iianocialion with the "golden goose"— the bud that lays the golden eggs. Ihe.se eggs enable the versatile and garlulous old lady to rise from penury to a position of_ opulence. Her experiences foim t,ie basis of the pantomime, which is. wiMiout doubt, the greatest production of its kind ever seen in the colony, anil deserves the wonderful success achieved wherever it lias been played. Tt is a pity that Jlr. J. 0, Williamson, wlio is to be congratulated upon bringing to the colony such a unique and superb entertainment, was unable to play more (hail one night at New Plymouth, for another crowded house would have been assure*},