ALTHOUGH an occasional ill-conditioned child refuses to clap for the
salvation of Tinker Bell, Peter Pan holds its audiences year after year. Why ? That is a question for the child psychologist rather than for the dramatic critic but some day it may have to be considered whether the play could not be re-mounted in a way which would banish all doubts. The competition is harder each year and children become more accustomed to less dated methods. This year's Peter (Brenda Bruce) is vigorously boyish, Wendy (Hilary Rennie) is politely girlish and the Captain Hook-Mr. Darling (Russell Thorndilce) sinister and gently foolish in the appropriate places. Where the Rainbow Ends is another problem play. Can it keep up with modern tastes ? The answer so far must encourage those who repeatedly revive it for the patriotic_ fantasy moves each year out of its long slumber as unchanged as a fairy-tale princess (though less convincing). Anton Dolin's St. George is a fine, flashing figure and the young players of long parts never falter. For most children both these plays remain as fascinating as ever and in the face of such wide-eyed faith there is nothing the adult can do but remind himself that simple illusion is the soul of the theatre The second of the big west-and Pantomimes is brassy and bouncing, full of colour and noise. The story of Dick Whittington is kept in mind and told in flashes during the short intervals between the comedy of Richard Hearne, Sonnie Hale and Franlde Howerd, a team not easily interrupted. Annette Mills and her collaborators the Hogarths have magnified their television puppet and marionette show for the stage without any loss of sharpness, showing that their talents are not enslaved by electronics. It is a great achievement to break out of the small screen to reach an audience which is more alive and more co-operative in the theatre than at home. Ideal for tots, especially if they already know Muffin, Peregrine, Prudence, Hubert and the other
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