Cirrus@Austlit

The Sydney Morning Herald critic writes:

'No limit is placed on the imagination in the preparation of pantomime. The recipe is very simple. The author simply takes his theme, carries it out on conventional lines, and the producer builds upon it such superstructure as a whimsical fancy may suggest. Thus the story, whatever it may be becomes a peg on which can be hung with delightful irrelevance a repertoire of engaging incidents. Through these the story emerges from time to time, only to be quickly submerged in the spectacular and the unexpected. Everything therefore depends upon the adroitness with which the producer employs his license. Mr Frank Neil has a reputation in this direction and it is well maintained in the production of Cinderella... The ballet is excellent. It has a lot to do during the evening and does everything well. Among the special acts introduced were those of the Flying Omars, Patillo and Pesco, and Abdy's Performing Pets. These turns were very popular. Abdy seems by extraordinary patience in training to have achieved the impossible. His cats and birds live together in complete friendship... The concluding scene of this pantomime strikes an entirely new note, the whole company apostrophizing in song the harbour bridge, which forms the final phase of a transformation scene. The idea was very well carried out and provoked enthusiastic applause' (28 December 1931, p.2).