The Man in the Moon

The Pontypridd Observer, Saturday 19 December 1914, advertised at the New Theatre: ‘Xmas Night, [Friday] Dec 25th & two following weeks … Will Parkin and Chas Kasrac present an entirely new and original Pantomime The Man in the Moon’. Reviewed in the Pontypridd Observer, 26 December 1914. The text is imperfect on the British Newspaper Archive but what is clear in the account of the plot mentions Trevor overcoming a demon and rescuing Luna from a swamp. The review continues, ‘They then decide to go to her father “The Man in the Moon” who mourns his daughter’s loss and on seeing his daughter with her sweetheart who has rescued her, he gives Trevor all his wealth and so ends the story. The caste is very strong, many Pontypridd favourites being included and we can look forward to a most funny and clean pantomime. Frank Williams is principal comedian, while round him is Fred Harris, who needs no introduction, Peter Pan a new comer, Walters & Duncan, the two Le Roys, hold the principal honour of Pine Bay and Girl [sic]. Miss Masso dancing fairy, Miss Nell Russel second girl, Miss Cissie Hopkins plays second boy. There are specialities by various performers and Trixies Trivials the cast. There will be a company of 40 strong. The music is by “Sparrow Harris” who will conduct the production. The special staircase seen in the last act is by G. W. Hooper. We close by wishing the “Man in the Moon” a successful career’. The incomplete description of the plot clearly resembles that in the January 1916 Examiner of Plays’ summary.

‘One of the special treats of the season will be presented at the Metropole each evening next week at 7.45, and Saturday, matinée at 2.30. The title of the new and original pantomime is “The Man in the Moon” and the entire production invented, written and arranged by Mr. Will Parkin promises to eclipse anything yet attempted or staged at Abertillery. To produce “The Man in the Moon” has entailed extensive forethought, and the clever adaption of the subject has been the result of months of consistent work. There is nevertheless every assurance that Mr. Parkin’s latest masterpiece will receive the support of Abertillery and district which it richly deserves .. The company will number 40 performers of the best artists touring the provinces and will include six Welsh comics in the persons of Fred Harris, Walters, Duncan, Phillips, Williams and Parker; all men full of mirth, with good voices. The powerful chorus of efficient vocalists, 24 in number, will be under the conductorship of Mr. Sparrow Harris (composer). Among the principals are Miss Tessie Le Roy, everybody’s principal boy, Miss Cissie Hopkins, Miss Minnie Masso, Fairy Sunbeam, Miss Ivy Curson, Queenie Wells, Fred Harris as Dai Lossen, Pete Pan as Dame Freckles, Frank Williams (the real Cymro Un o Febion Gwlad y Gan) as Dai Jenkins, the Village Idiot, and Neddy, his Donkey Albert Persian, Sidney Parker as His Majesty of the Skies “The Man in the Moon,” Albert Bright, the Magic Piper, and Dai Phillips, as the Prince Zanzibar. The specialities are of the highest class, as follows, Williams and Parker in their vocal and comedy tit-bits, songs and stories; the two Le Roys, harmonising vocalists, Albert Bright, the Milanese piper, Fred Harris, the world’s tambo soloist, Walter and Duncan, comedians. The Trixies Trivial (six in number), the smartest and best dressed and rehearsed act of its kind. It is also worthy of note that for the Abertillery Pantomime the following magnificent scenery, constructed and painted at the scenic studio, Hastings, by Arnold Berre, will be staged. In Act 1. six scenes, viz., Pagent [sic] of Pantomime, on the way to the Swamp, The Village, The Swamp, and near the Moon. Act 2, three scenes, Cloudland, Exterior of the Palace, and the Palace of Moonland. The large staircase in Act 2, scene 3, has been specially designed by Mr. Parkin, and the beautiful effects will be enhanced by novel lighting, lantern and colour schemes, originate by Berre and assistants and executed by William Hooper and Staff. The stage management will be in the able hands of Albert Williams. The Abertillery pantomime as presented by Messrs. Parkin and Kasrac, at the Metropole next week, will consist of a selected company of charming vocalists, pretty girls, funny comedians, superb scenery, pantomime, song-hits, dainty dancers, novel features, beautiful effects, and clever specialities … the treat in store should not be missed’ (South Wales Gazette, 15 January 1915). ‘The long looked for pantomime “The Man in the Moon” appears at the Metropole Theatre this week, and everyone was on the tip toe of expectancy on the opening night. It is undoubtedly the best “panto.” that has been staged in the colliery districts of Wales and Monmouthshire. The residents of Abertillery and district have passed an unqualified verdict that Mr. Will Parkins’ “Man in the Moon” is the best they have witnessed. The Abertillery Pantomime has been specially prepared for this district. Neither time or money has been saved to make the production a really live and entertaining one. It is brimful of fun. There are charming singers, pretty girls, funny comedians, superb scenery, pantomime song hits, dainty dancers, novel features, electrical and water effects, with clever specialities. Mr. Parkin, assisted by Mr. Chas. Kasrag [sic - Kasrac], has hit upon the proper ideals all the way through. There are no less than six Welsh comics in the persons of Fred Harris, Walters, Duncan, Phillips, Williams and Parker, all men full of mirth and with remarkably fine voices. Miss Tessie le Roy as principal boy, is the very acme of perfection, and Mr. Peter Pan as dame freckles, fill [sic] the role with remarkable accuracy. There is also a powerful and efficient chorus of 24 voices, under the direction of Mr. Sparrow Harris, the composer of the music. In all, there are no less than 40 performers. There are several special features of the pantomime which must captivate all who desire an evening’s real entertainment ... It must be said that Mr. Parkin is a man of ideas, which he aptly puts into practical form and special credit is due to his indefatigable energy which predominates in all his productions, which are full of newness, usually lacking in the touring pantomime’ (South Wales Gazette, 22 January 1915).

The Merthyr Express, 13 February 1915, published a preview that was a shortened version of what had appeared in the South Wales Gazette, 15 January 1915, omitting details of the scenery, settings, effects and stage management (see under the Metropole, Abertillery). Also, ‘This week at the Temperance Hall, “The Man in the Moon,” the most successful pantomime ever produced at Merthyr, is playing to crowded and delighted audiences nightly. Do not miss the opportunity of seeing this grand production at the Hall’ (Merthyr Express, 22 February 1915).

The Manchester Evening News, Monday 27 December 1915, advertised at the Victoria Theatre, Broughton Bridge, Manchester, the ‘Great Attraction for 6 Nights and 3 Matinees only, a New Production, Mr. Will Parkin’s Grand Pantomime, The Man in the Moon’. ‘“The Man in the Moon,” an attractive pantomime, is the holiday fare at the Victoria Theatre, Broughton. Presented by Will Parkin, the show goes merrily along from the start. It is effectively staged; there is some good dancing, and several musical items are particularly well given. The comedy parts, too, are in capable hands’ (Manchester Evening News, Monday 28 December 1915). Will Parkin advertised ‘The Man in the Moon’ in The Stage, 13 January 1916: ‘Produced at Christmas, Victoria Theatre, Manchester. Mr. Beaudyn remarks:- “Mr. Parkin, – You have brought me ‘the goods.’ Enormous business and a great entertainment”’.

When Hanbury Allan, the dame in Will Parkin’s big show, The Man in the Moon, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 30 December 1915, his address for the following week was the T.R., Hyde. Will Parkin advertised ‘The Man in the Moon’ in The Stage, 13 January 1916: ‘Last week, at Theatre Royal, Hyde, played to capacity four nights out of six, including three matinées. Mr. Palfreyman remarks:- “Mr. Parkin, - A great novelty pantomime. Fit for any theatre”’.

Will Parkin advertised ‘The Man in the Moon’ in The Stage, 13 January 1916: ‘The greatest Pantomime ever produced in Wales. Repeat last year’s success ... This week, New Theatre Pontypridd. The home of its birth. Lovely reception. The People’s verdict:- “Better all-round pantomime than last year. Every artist a pantomime performer.” Result. Success, success, success. “Love rules the world, the poet cries.” But not in this case, thank you'.

‘“The Man in the Moon” has been drawing record houses during pantomime week at the Temperance Hall. With unfailing estimation of the public taste, Mr. Israel Price has hit the nail square on the head in presenting the highly-varied and entertaining bill which has delighted thousands since last Monday. There still remain opportunities to see the gay, frolicsome, happy lot who are making the boards ring with their superb dancing and filling the hall with joyous captivating music. Then the special scena tableaux, “Keep the Home Fires Burning” is the talk of the town. It is a fine patriotic sketch which has few equals’ (Merthyr Express, 22 January 1916). Also noted in The Era, 19 January 1916.

‘Will Parkin presents a clever pantomime, The Man in the Moon [at the Royal, Chorley]. The staging is excellent. The specialities include a scena, “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” in which Will Parkin displays power as a vocalist; and items by Daisy and her Dots, Mavis and Mavis, Arthur Bright, and the Four Dorotheas. In the cast we find Dorothy Veitch, Ethel Mavis, Flo Inman, Jessie Jukes, Gertie Leno, Allan Hanbury, Griff Hudson [sic - Hodson], Peter Pan, Percy Mavis, and Bob Rowlands. The musical numbers are bright and attractive. The augmented orchestra is conducted by Gwilym Lewis’ (The Stage, 27 January 1916).

When Dorothy Veitch, a member of the Man in the Moon company, inserted a theatrical card in The Stage, 27 January 1916, her address for the following week was the Grand, Aberavon, S. Wales. Also, ‘Next week Will Parkin’s pantomime, The Man in the Moon, will be staged’ at the Grand, Aberavon. The Stage, 27 January 1916.

‘We have a return visit of Will Parkin’s pantomime, The Man in the Moon. The various characters are undertaken by Dorothy Veitch, Allan Hanbury, Griff Hodson, Flo Inman, Jessie Jukes, Dot Jukes, Mavis and Pan, Harry Alvey, Will Parkin, Ethel Mavis, Arthur Bright, Gertie Leno, and Bob Rowlands. Excellent specialities are introduced by Daisy and her Dots, Mavis and Mavis, The Four Dorotheas, Arthur Bright, and Will Parkin’. The Stage, 10 February 1916.

The Stage, 9 March 1916, advertised, ‘Percy Mavis presents, by arrangement with Will Parkin, the Record-breaking Revue, “The Man in the Moon.” 7 Scenes. Absolutely the Strongest Revue Cast Touring, including:- Griff Hodson, Allen Hanbury, Peter Pan, Bob Rowlands, Percy Mavis, Dorothy Veitch, Ethel Mavis, Flo Inman, Hilda Holmwood, Trixie Simmons. Specialities by Mavis and Mavis, Four Kays, Trixie and Trix, The Radiacs. Powerful Chorus. This [week], Pav., Pontnewynydd [a suburb of Pontypool]'. ‘Will Parkin’s company are here [the Pavilion, Pontypool] with The Man in the Moon. The characters are capably undertaken by Dorothy Veitch, Allan Hanbury, Griff Hodson, George Carpenter, Percy Mavis, Harry Alvey, W. Parkin, Ethel Mavis, Arthur Bright, Hilda Homewood, and Bob Rowlands. Excellent specialities are introduced by Mavis and Mavis, Four Dorotheas and Arthur Bright. The augmented orchestra is conducted by Sidney Jukes’ (The Stage, 9 March 1916).

When The Stage, 9 March 1916, advertised, ‘Percy Mavis presents, by arrangement with Will Parkin, the Record-breaking Revue, “The Man in the Moon"' [see under the Pavilion, Pontnewynydd], the show's address for the following week was the N.H., Bargoed.