Metropole Theatre, Abertillery

‘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).

Advertised in the South Wales Gazette, 2 February 1917.

The Stage, 27 September 1917, listed For Motherland as On Tour from 24 September at the Metropole, Abertillery.

The South Wales Gazette, 6 September 1918, advertised ‘the great military success’ On Leave For His Wedding, in four acts, at the Metropole, Abertillery, for six nights from Monday 9 September: ‘See The Trench Scene. The Bombardment of the Cathedral by the Huns, and witness a realistic episode we have all read about and marvelled at’. Also: ‘The management of the Metropole have succeeded in “booking” a great military drama which will be presented throughout next week. It is entitled “On Leave For His Wedding,” and its author is Mr. Clifford Rean. It is a moving story of events at home and abroad, of plot, and counterplot, but happily everything ends well. It includes some wonderfully realistic scenes of trench life, and the bombardment of a cathedral by the Huns. The caste is a strong one, the performance being in the hands of Mr. Edward Furneau’s Company, with Mr. Furneau himself playing the role of Capt. Derrick Tresillian, the hero of the piece. Miss Daisy Spalding plays “Mavis,” who is as gentle as her name implies. whilst Miss Stella Cedron plays the wicked sister Angela, whilst Mr. J. O. Stevenson plays the strong part of the wicked parson lover, and Mr. Arthur C. Cressy plays the comic relief part of Sergt. Barny Croft, and Mr. J. H. Knowles plays the part of “Egg,” a part which will afford considerable entertainment. The play is presented in eight scenes of four acts. and there will be one performance nightly, commencing at 7.30' (South Wales Gazette, 6 September 1918).

Performed 14-27 December.