"JACK AND JILL."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 26 August 1909, Page 2

"JACK AND JILL."

'•THE PINNACLE OF I'AXIILUIMKS.' ''The pinnacle of pantomimes" is .1 term by which "Jack and dill'' has oiten . been referred to, and in some of tlr largest cities in Australasia, so we ma\ be pardoned in repeating tlie phrase. | ''Jack and Jill." as performed in the 'J lieatre ltoyal last night by Mr. .1. Williamson's finished combination, easily outclassed any of his previous production*, and set a standard which it will take something simply marvellous to beat. First ami foremost, this pan lomime stands out as a gorgeous, overchanging spectacle, a succession of j scenes of brilliant color and ing iniou« | movement, a concentration of kaleidoscopic harmony in stage picture, a crowded programme brimming owl* with wholesome humor, dazzling dane-

ng, Uie acme of costuming, ami reeo.i »tago effect. without a dull moment L'n be sure, on one or two those who were feasting their even he splendor of the scenes and wea'tl if eostumcrie, began to wonder ii <».. Widow Cobble and Way on Bounce m-n i;ver a'oinjr to turn <>fi" the tap of bu inor, for >ome of the old jokes were lot thinly veiled to it possible t< imagine them new. Nevertheless, th ViM'v large proportion of their fun w.i' new, fresh and absolutely irresistib'c The audience went into shrieks of laugh Icy. and at the finish were prepared t vote the comedy of the best. A grea ieature of the produetion consists o the ballets, and we may single nut a veritable triumphs of dressing and colo the butterfly dance, the snowstorm ba let, the rose ballet, and the grand mare of the jewels in the Palace of Preeiou Stones. For the snowstorm ballet, a a nod from the fairy princess winter i rolled away, and summer flowers reigi Then at the behest of Demon Glum, th mechanical setting is instantaneous 1 altered from a band of happy nymph dancing in a summer glade to the dept 01 Antarctica, with a fall of -snow an frost-covered folks skating on ice. 1 is a superb spectacle, and its few mid utes cost hundreds of pounds in costuai ing and effect. The "'March of Jewos was a piece of dazzling splendor. Th human representatives of the preeiou stones, scintillating with the Hash o their appointments and reflecting in ; thousand glances the utmost brilliant of the electric installation, with coru«*e i tions from the marvellous pillars, am! fo on, will be looked forward to to-night by those who make a second-night vis t. But space won't permit of full mention of all the delightful things in the pie.-o —it was crammed full of them. Mention must be made of the "faceograph.' the surf-bathing effect secured from the (cinematograph following the son" "Splashing in the Briny." A pan;>mime without animals wouldn't be a pantomime at all. ".lack and Jill" U well provided with them. There's a delightfully funnv team of 'Teddy bears,'' who gambol about the stage; tlu» whole of Noah's family liberated from the arc; the giant rooster, impersonated by M-. Stanton...and his light with the re:il game rooster—a wonderful piece «of training. The "Teddy Bears' Picnic" about the funniest thing seen here. There was fun for the young, and fun for the old, and whilst the rising generation will laugh over the antics 'or weeks to come, their elders will continue to compare unfavorably all previous pantomimes to thin. They will remember the spirited and natural acting of Miss. Stella (Jastelle, the principal "Ikk." as '"Jack." and her capital singing of "Climb. Boys. Climb." "The Lassie from Lancashire," and "My Starlight Maid." A. dainty and winsome 'Mill' was Miss Betty Ohls, "Splashing in the Briny" being her best vocal item. Miss Stela Selbourne (Prince Opulent) took hod of the audience with "Jessie Meintyre." sung with dash and enthusiasm, ml backed up hy a Highland girls' chorus and dancing. Mr. Campbell as "Widow Cobble" made laughter'* tears llow, wi'.h Mr. Leslie (Llie Baron) as hi., colleague The interlude with the fly-paper was the best of a clever night's work. But why go on? New Plymouth people liavc seen pantomime, but they've never seen anything to come near "Jack ami ■Till," and it is doubtful if they'll ever see much better.

THE MATrXEE. This afternoon the company willsiage A matinee at 1.1") o'clock. The pantomime is to hi l nut on eompleie in everv detail, and parents should jrive their ihildren lhL> real treat, spending glorious hours themselves. Xot on' 1 word of the piece will lie cnl out. or one stage ellect deleted. Tile manure-, ment m;iy confidently expect a bigi house, for there are delayed trains. j TO-XHiHT. To-night "Jack and Jill" Mill ng'.ln eiimb the hill, and the theatre is almost fully booked aireadv. The chances are that the theatre will be crowded to t'i ■ doors again, as it was last night.