In his third year with the dramatic section of Bata Sports and Social Club, and playing the part of the Emperor of China in its pantomime “aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp”, to be presented on January 21 and 28, is Bernard Malthouse of the supply department.
Aged 22, Bernard will be remembered for the competent way in which he acted in sketches in two previous Bata shows - “Coronation Cavalcade” and “Xmas Pie”, and particularly for his successful appearance as one of the Ugly Sisters in the last pantomime, “Cinderella”.
Although nominally the most important man in all China, the Emperor (in the pantomime) is a “ditherer”, with a delightfully vague mind. He issues orders all right, but, when they are being carried out, he wonders what everyone is doing, and who told them to do it. He is enlightened only when the Grand Vizier, his right hand man, informs him that he himself issued the various proclamations.
This part calls for a keen sense of the theatre and considerable acting ability, as well as a well-balanced sense of light comedy, and Bernard posses all three. As all his stage experience has been with the Bata dramatic group, he is a home product in every respect, and, at rehearsals he is proving that he not only acts like the pantomime Emperor, but looks like it.