AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 217, 7 September 1908, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"UUMI'TY-DUMl'l'Y. •' The author of "llumpty-Duinpty,'' the J. C. Williamson production Hint is due at the Theatre lioyal next Friday, is J. Hickory Wood, who was also roponsible for the book of "Mother Goose." .There is little doubt that t'no more successful pantomimes have never come from one pen. For the purposes oi stage presentation Mr. Hickory Wood in "Humpty-Dumpty" has resurrected the ill-fated hero of uurserv rhyme from the awful smash that baffled' all the king's horses and all the king's men, and has carried on the story !o the exhaustion of six wishes. Through all the comic episodes, the gorgeous spectacles, and' musical interludes, the story is never lost sight of. The strings are pulled by.the demon and the fairy queen as the presiding destinies for evil and good. "Jiumpty-Dumpty" is far from being a lovable character. Mr. Bert Gilbert, who plays King Solium, insists tliat he is a bad egg, and gets no better as he grows older, and Mr. Harry Shine as Bison Bob curses him seven times. The malevolent spirit of "Hunipty-Dumpty" is responsible for many changes of scenes for those who cross his ambition. He dethrones King Solium and usurgs the crown. lie disperses the court, so that the characters journey to strange regions. The result is described by the Melbourne Argus, which sums up the production as "an amazing succession of appealing artistic pictures; a wonderful union of illusions, graced by color, harmony, bevies of charming damsels lavishly costumed, excellent comedy, troops of clever little people quaintly earnest in their business tuneful incidental music, and songs well above the average." The box plan opens tomorrow morning at 0 o'clock at the Dresden.