“PUSS IN BOOTS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3966, 24 June 1913, Page 6

“PUSS IN BOOTS.”

A GORGEOUS PANTOMIME

TOPSY-TURVEYDOM AT HIS MAJESTY’S.

Who is there thiit can truthfully say ho does not enjoy an excursion into the delectable land of fairies, ogres, castles, and fabulous fortunes? Pantomine time is with us once again, and the overflowing audience that greeted the J. 0. Williamson offering of “Puss in Boots” at His Majesty’s Theatre last night was proof positive that Gisborne theatre-goers at any rate, have not outgrown a love of make-believe and fancy. The world rolls on, but as it spins on its axis the old order changeth, giving place to new. So it is with pantdjniine. It was a most modernised version which the Williamson Company served up last evening. Pantomime nowadays consists of a form of glorified vaudeville, and in this respect the present Company outdo anything of the kind yet brought to these shores. There is no story in “PusS in Boots.” There never is in pantomime, and none is needed. Last night’s production was a bewildering succession of gorgeous tableaux, beautiful ballets, brilliant vaudeville, bright acting, and sparkling music. The whole performance was~ more subdued and ouieter than that ladled out in the past, and it must be confessed that it is better so. The music is in keeping, and the performance glides along like a rippling brook, with the sunlight continually kissing the shallows. All the old favorite characters are represented. First and foremost, there was the Cat, but such a cat! This character was presented with such remarkable fidelity to the real thing that it will cause the name of Mr O. E. Lennon to he remembered for all time by those who had the good fortune to see his artistic work last night. The Cat pljys a very large part throughout the first actj and it must be admitted that Mr Lennon very most of the character. He had the. grown-ups bubbling over with merriment what time he held the’hoards, while the youngsters present laughed out loud and unabashed. Miss Violet L.oraine made a dashing principal boy, and won the hearts of all present with the dainty grace she infused into the character of Colin, the miller’s son. Starting off with the advantage of a charming stage presence, the lady ar tistieally uses a small singing voice to the best advantage. Miss Loraine enters right into the very spirit of her work, and infects her hearers with her own sprightly vivacity. She roused the house to great enthusiasm last night with her numbers. “When ,the Band Plays,” “There’s Something in the Seaside Air.” and “Everybody’s Doing it,” and had to respond to recalls in each instance. It will be generally admitted tlflit nownore typical Dame lias ever been seen here than that of Mr George Miller last night. He had the house in roars of laugh tolas the Widow with ten acres, “’alf of which was arable and ’alf ’orrible.” A refreshing thing about Mr Miller’s clever comedy work is that his humor is fresh and his jokes now. His song, “The Mysterious Rag,’’ brought the house down last night, and his advice to the ladies caused hilarious merri- , ment. Mr “Pip” Powell had an unconvincing part as King Grabbus, but bis clever art enabled him to make the character stand out prominently. His songs, “Walks, Walks, Walks,” made a great hit. Miss Alice Russon made a charming girl, while Miss Dorothy Firmin was a most adorable Fairy Queen, and showed she nossessed a voice of more than ordinary merit while singing “I’m Thinking o 3 You To-night, Love.’l The ballets were an outstanding feature of the pantomime, and it was generally conceded that in this respect the present performance transcends any of the other eight productions the Williamson Company has brought through this country. The chief ballets were “A Pierrot’s Wooing,” “The Orange Grove,’ ’“The King’s Hunting Party.” “Felina’s Fairies,” and “The Hall of Magic.” Special mention must also be made of the ballet of “The Year’s Plays,” which introduced with splendid effect scenes from “Kismet,” “Our Miss Gibbs,” “Nightbirds,” “Ben Hut,” and “The Quaker Girl.” The tinted Shadowgraph was an innovation which was greatly admired. “As good as anything to l>e seen at the London Hippodrome” was the remark p'assed after the two clowns, the Gaudsmidts, and their clever dogs, . had put on their marvellous exhibition of acrobatic work. Their somersaulting and balancing is quite the most- amazing ever seen here,, while their dogs are almost as wonderful. Screams of laughter were caused by the “two original strong men,” Collins and Haft, who do a lot of fake acrobatic work in a really clever manner. The dancing throughout was greatly admired, and for this credit must he given to Miss Minnie Everett, who invented and arranged the ballets, marchings, and groupings. The orchestra, under the baton of Mr Fred Quintrell, musical director, lent valuable assistance. As before stated, it was freely acknowledged last evening that “Puss in Boots” is the best pantomime which the' Williamson Company has yet brought along, and it is long since a more genuinely pleased audience was seen in these * parts. The Company are assured of bumper houses at the matinee this afternoon and again at the farewell performance to-night. All who can possibly do so should make a point of seeing this undoubtedly brilliant production.