AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"HUMPTY-DUiiMPTY." AT NEW PLYMOUTH LAST NIGHT. The gorgeous spectacular pantomime extravaganza" it is called, and rightly so. last night, "liumpty-Dumpt?,'' tamiliar figure in our nursery rhymes, once more sat (u a wall, and, following out the words of the children's rhyme, he had a great fall. Though all' the lungs horses and all tl, e King's men couldnt put the forlorn little egg chap together again, the healing operation was . thi ß tune performed by the fairy Clanbel, -the Spirit of Generosity, and Humpty" lived through and assisted to treat the crowded audience to a delightful eveuing. Lt was a typical pantomime audience, a theatre full of people who wanted and wore assured of an evening's hilarity amidst varied scenes of unrivalled gorgeousness, enlivened by sparkling music. Every part of the house was filled to its utmost capacity. '"flumpty-Dumpty," whilst replete in brilliancy of color and scenic effect, brimming over with laughter-provoking dialogue, crowded with graceful dancing, and introducing capital vocal numbers, was, in the opinion of local playgoers, not quite up to the standard s et by the "Mother Goose" company—it had not the same '"vim," though the spectacular effect was as good, perhaps more striking.

With the rise of the curtain was seen the wall, with "Humpty" perched upon it. The Demon Soaro (the Spirit of Ambition) brought him to the ground in a great fall, but the Spirit of Generosity, In' a touch of her magic wand, brought him back to life. For the rest of the evening, however, lie was without shell. He was also allowed six wishes which he might have fulfilled, provided that at least one were unselfish. As ill all popular plays, he filled the conditions. Now, there was a "King Solium," who had never been known to smile, and there were endless competitors for the prize—his daughter and a kingly dowry—for the one who could induce the monarch to smile. All of these efforts kept the audience in roars, the monarch in copious tears. By reason of his superhuman powers tlie unhandsome "Humpty" provoked the royal, laughter, but the princess declined to' have auglit to do with him, favoring the suit of a young and handsome prince who had failed. Before awarding the prize the King imposed the ■ condition that to win the lady's hand the suitor must recover a lost ring from the bottom of the ocean. The search amidst coral reefs ann ocean caves provides unique spectacular opportunity. In the depths of the ocean sea sprites danced and frolicked in their many-hued coverings. Meanwhile the King (who had now married "Humpty - Dnmpty's" mother) descended in a- diving-bell, and there, with strange instruments, stranger music to which harmony was stranger still, with domestic quarrels and angry words, the pair kept the crowd up to side-splitting pitch. It was all very foolish, but so laughable. Then tlie bell collapsed, and chaos reigned "Fairies in the air," with dazzlingly illuminated swings, etc., was a masterpiece of stage effect. The irrepressible "Humpty" wished himgejf on to the throne, and the King and Queen took the road a-s beggars. Threatening all manner of punishments against those who stood between Jiini and the princess, he found there was but one wisii left, and that he used in uniting the lovers, thus saving himself, and bringing the inconsequential story to a fairy conclusion. The author bo'thered himself with no plot. The rapid transition from one scene another would baffle a story-teller. It was a succession of artistic groupings, graceful dancing, and ever-changing brilliancy, and there was not a dull moment.

"llunipty-Dumpty" was reproduced in Mr. George Young, who made tlie most of his part. The centre of the whole plav, however, was not the bearer of the title role," but the smileles* King Solium, which part was taken by Mr. Rupert Darrell. Miss Mabel Morgan was the principal boy, as Rudolph, and was on excellent terms with her audience, and Jier singing was good. Miss Nance Maher, as the Princess, played her part perfectly, and showed to fuil advantage her fine soprano voice. Mr. Victor Loydail (Humpty - Dumptv's mother) and Mr. Harry Shine (Bison Bob, a circus proprietor) were the chief humorists, and they fairly revelled in their parts. Miss Olga Grey's clever impersonations, Messrs. Queen and Le Brun's "turns" as cats and as an elephant, and Miss Irene Dillon's dancing were all highly enjoyable features. The most popular grouping was "the congress oi nations," which was staged with pomp, grandeur, and ceremony seldom seen on the provincial stage. The ;, Xursery Rhymes" ballet was one of the finest of the evening. Mr. J. C. Williamson's reputation as a caterer for the popular amusement has, we should think, been enhanced as the result of the visit of ''Humpty-Duinpty" to New Plymouth.