"Ali Baba" - A TRIUMPH!

Cheers and unrestrained laughter echoed through the Garrison Theatre on Saturday night, when the M.S.C.T.C. Productions presented. “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” a hilarious night’s entertainment carried out in the true and traditional manner of pantomime.

Congratulations must first of all be extended to Mr. Eddie Steadman for a most successful production. All the players moved with charm and confidence, and the blending of absurdity and pathos was convincingly achieved throughout. Special tribute must be paid to Western Arts for the exciting and imaginative sets that gave such colour and completeness to the pantomime.

And now to the show. For Jimmie Cork it was a personal triumph, he moved freely about the stage, now cunning and ingratiating, then petulant and scheming, rolling his roguish eyes and curling his lips sardonically. Our old friend Mr. Claude Tozer as “Cogia” the gravel voiced harridan, gave a performance that was received with almost hysterical approbation. He was grotesque, he was ridiculous, but how effective. Mr. Tozer is an old favourite with “Dock” audiences and after last Saturday night it is easy to understand why. Miss Pamela Crook was a delightful principal boy. She looked lovely, she sang beautifully.
Trevor Morgan, as “Cassim”, gave a solid performance, and what pleasure he gave us when he sang. He was the perfect foil to that trollop of a wife, “Cogia”. “Morgiana”, played by Miss Pat Jones, was a part that called for restraint, and this she did effectively. Ronnie Rowe, as “Abdallah”, was the sinister Captain of Thieves, and well he did it, and his diminutive lieutenant, “Hassarac” played by Eric Hargreaves, a thorn in his flesh, had the audience roaring at his antics. The Brabon twins were splendid, looking as if butter would not melt in their mouths, but full of devilment in their hearts. Colin West was a most impressive magician in his black gown and tall pointed hat. “Ibrahim”, the mulish horse, was a scream.
The dance arrangements were simple but successful and were arranged by Pamela Crook and Miss Heather Stevens (who also did a moving dance in the cave scene), assisted by Miss Anne Williams, The Six Slick Chicks, Jean Patterson, Phyllis Callender, Betty Browne, Mary Reid, Barbara James and Hazel Morgan were pretty and charming, and the Harem Girls: the above and Dorothy Miller, Margaret John, Jane Bellerby, and Heather Stevens, were attractive in all their movements. The Panto Babes were sweet and lovable. They were Mary Jenkins, Glenys Jenkins (who also did a clever duet song and dance), Elvira Power, Maureen Morgan, Patricia Godrey, Jacqueline Godrey, Wendy Gray, Eileen Weatherall, Bonny Miller and Patricia Steadman.

Other names to' be mentioned in this grand entertainment are Anne Williams, Mary Reid, John Collier, Gwyn John, Desmond Canton, Evelyn Pannell, Anne Pannell, Jean Macken, Iris Warrington, Evan Davies, and especially little Miss Anne Williams, who was a lovely and enchanting little ballerina. The music was played by the Tempo Aces Band and they contributed in no small measure to the success of the show. Stage mana¬gers were Geoffrey Laing and Freddy Rowe, assisted by Les of its talent, and it is to the credit Williams. The locality can be proud of Mr. Steadman that he brought it out so well.

Congratulations to all players and to those back stage, to the Western Arts for their sets and to Mr. Bumstead and his music.