3-085-596 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Christmas Pantomimes: "The Babes in the Wood," at Drury Lane, 1898. London stage production. 'The Baron found cheating at cards; the Baron's retainers clamouring for their wages; Herbert Campbell, Dan Leno; the Babes at the Races; the Babes in the Wood; the Spirit of Indigestion; the Spirit of Castigation; in the Forest; Summons to birds to cover the Babes with leaves...there follows the customary forest panorama - too long drawn out on Boxing Night, despite its cleverly sketched blackberry bushes, its marvellous giants and elves, and its mammoth mushrooms...when the Grigolatis troupe rise in mid-air and dazzling electric lamps light up the final tableau, we behold a veritable dream of delight...Droll little Mr. Dan Leno, in a nice Eton jacket and collar, and with the thinnest of legs; strident Mr. Herbert Campbell as a fine girl of huge proportions - these form a contrast such as must provoke delirious mirth...Mr. James Glover conducts a picked orchestra with commendable and feverish vigour. Librettist (Mr. Sturgess), scene-painters, costumier, and stage manager have done their best for "The Babes in the Wood," with the result that Mr. Arthur Collins's first pantomime proves an undoubted success'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.