Went to Panto “Goody Two Shoes”.
Notes
Pantomime
Grandad went to the pantomime to see “Goody Two Shoes“, see Chapter 21. I assume he went with grandma, Ethel Cirket. They were “courting” at this time and would marry in 1930, see Chapter 16.
“Goody Two Shoes“
“Goody Two Shoes” is now rarely seen as a pantomime. However, it was once popular although the story line seems to have been highly variable. Its origins seem to have been in an eighteenth century morality tale in which a poor orphan with only one shoe is given a pair of shoes by a rich gentleman inspiring her to good works, hence the name “Goody Two Shoes“. Over the years, various pantomime/fairytale elements were added including magic shoes, dame, fairy, villain, comedy double act etc.
Theatre Royal Nottingham
Based on newspaper adverts and articles of the time, this pantomime was on at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham from 26 December 1925.
Adverts
There were performances every evening and three matinees per week. The show was presented by Moss Empires Limited and was their second annual pantomime, the first having been “Robin Hood” the previous year.
Previews
Nottingham Advertiser
A preview in the Nottingham Advertiser on Boxing Day 1925 explained the plot and introduced the cast. A baron had obtained the shoes but, for some reason, threw them in a river and they floated out to sea. A search is made but the ship involved is then wrecked. There are various comic interludes and a love story running throughout the pantomime. Marjorie Fulton played Prince Charming and Queenie Forbes Goodie Two Shoes. Comedians Uty Rowlands and Billy Doust played Simon Slyfox and Mrs McIntyre respectively. Other roles included Captain Squills and His Bo’sun played by Arthur Ballinger and Tommy Toms, and a villain, identified in another preview as Sir Sherwood Forester, played by Ernest Ludlow.
Nottingham Evening Post
Another preview in the Nottingham Evening Post, also on Boxing Day 1925, focused less on the overall plot and more on describing individual scenes, including on a tram, in a cook’s galley and in a submarine “bar“. It also noted that, even in 1925, this pantomime was less frequently chosen than others and that “Robin Hood” had been the previous year’s offering. Other cast members are introduced, including Frank Rubens’ Tango Band, musical director Thomas Priddy and Ken Douglas who played Tan the Postman. There are also photos of Marjorie Fulton, Uty Rowlands and Queenie Forbes. Several of the popular songs of the day were performed including “In Sunny Havana“, “Ukelele Lady“, “When You and I Were Seventeen“ and “When Drake Goes West“. The article also references “When My Sugar Walks Down the Theatre” which I think refers to “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street“.
Reviews
Nottingham Journal
A review in the Nottingham Journal was very positive describing it as a “sweet little morsel”. Apparently, “it melted the mouth when sampled” and “its many flavours seemed to please every palette“. Mr C B Fountaine is praised for the production which is described as a good, old-fashioned pantomime. Others singled out for praise include Marjorie Fulton, Queenie Forbes and, in particular, Frank Ruben’s Tango Band.
Nottingham Advertiser
A later review in the Nottingham Advertiser described “Goody Two Shoes” as the “ideal pantomime – perfect in staging, in humour and in casting“. In addition to those already mentioned, the review praises the Rodney Hudson Girls and the Royal Dancing Children.
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