HUMPTY-DUMPTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9181, 2 September 1908, Page 7

HUMPTY-DUMPTY.

Unquestionably one of the largest audiences that have jet assembled in the Town Hall to witness a theatrical performance was recorded last evening, when the J. C. Williamson's Company staged the pantomime " Humpty Spectacularly "Humpty-Dumpty" is perhaps the finest pantomime that has glowed on the local stage. The submarine set is a rare combination of glowing colours, in which the designing of things marine is a notable feature. "Humpty Dumpty" does not depend on its scenery. It actually has a semblance to a plot. King Solium •has decreed that whosoever shall make .him laugh shall win the hand of his fair daughter and shall have money "besides. As the Princess Aurora is very charming there is quite a rush •of suitors, bent on tickling the grave monarch into laughing, but it is not ,so easy. Jesters may try in vain, Rudolph the Pretty tries him with an mo33-grown wheeze that causes "'tears; Brie and Brae area smart pair, 'but failure is their, portion; even Bison Bob, a circus proprietor, and a very funny fellow, makes the attempt, but the King is »a solemn as a stone fence. It is then that the vicious "Humpty - Dumpty," who ■can "wish" himself anvthing, desires *hat the King shall laugh, and he cackles a dry, unconvincing laugh. Still, it is a laugh, and Humpty claims his reward, but the serious King protests that he was only laughing at his own thoughts, and further decrees that the fa.r Aurora shall be given to the one who finds a valuable ring he lost when fishing. Humpty agrees, but it is

lelt to young Rudolph to find the bauble, and win the girl. One splendid feature of the performnace was "The Hall of Ten Thousand Lights," in which the entire is ablaze with innumerable electric lights thit embroider various mechanical devices supporting the iadied of the ballet. Mr Oswald Cusling, as the glum monarch, did remarkably well. He was quite successful in the'lugubrious dittj "Brother Bill." Miss M. Morgan made a singing success of her "Drummer Boy" lilt of the first ace, and in the pretty "Bayou" scena. Miss Nance Maher made an attractive Princess Aurora. Miss Irene ■ Dillon, another dainty singing danseuse, appeared as Cherry (a pierette), and sang and danced with delightlul abandon. Mr Harry Shine, as Bison Bob, was the chief merrymaker. Mr Victor Loydali was very funny at, Martha. Miss Olgo Grey's impersonations of popular stars of the stage was one of the most acceptable "turns" in the bill. "Humpty Dumpty" was played by Mr George Young, and the humourous lady elephant were cleverly representated by Messrs Queen and Le Brun. Mrs Fressy Pieston was Prince Spritely, Miss Beatrice Eng ■l.ish, the spirit of generosity, and Mr C. Howard was Soaro, the Spirit cf -Ambition.