"THE DOGS."

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 12

"THE DOGS."

STUDENTS' EXTRAVAGANZA

SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION

When a man is said to Lave gone to the dogs, one is justified in picturing him as having sunk to the lowest depths of moral and social depravity. Such a conclusion is, however, not always correct, as those who were present in such large numbers at the Choral Hall last night on the occasion of the initial presentation of the students of Canterburr College arc prepared to admit. "The Dogs," for such is the title of the piece, is a bright production, of which the students have cause to be proud. The "book," which is the work of Messrs W. Brassington, J. S. Shannon, and W. K Thomson, is able to stand comparison with those of several plays which have been staged in Christchurch at various times by professionals, and it has the advantage that it has a local application. The plot is n simple one. A cargo of beautiful girls is taken aboard at Lyttelton, and before, long the vessel is on the high seas. Naturally with so many women aboard there is bound to be trouble, ami consequently it comes as no surprise when the sailors are robbed of their trousers, which the women take to wearing. The ship is wrecked on a desert isle, but only a short stay is made here, but it is full of romance, and by the, time the vessel is headed again for Lyttelton many things have happened. Allowing for the restrictions naturally imposed by playing in a concert hall such as the Choral Hall is, the production is well staged. 80 well luivo-1 he producers adapted themselves to the limitations of the stage that it is only on rare occasions that the audience is reminded of the fact that it is not in a properly appointed theatre. There is a suggestion of crowding in the ensembles, but generally speaking the defects in this respect are so trifling as to pnsl unnoticed. If the performers felt anv nervousness, they covered it up veil, but the services of the prompter verc called on more often than should avo been the case. Now that thoy Eve got successfully through tho first night, however, they will probably not need him to the same extent. . ''The Dogs" is strong in musical numbers and had all been fiiyon tlmt appeared on the programme it would have been close on midnißht bofoio the erfor nance would have concluded. Some of the most taking pieces wc c "Alabamy. Bound," suns by Miss Merle Sowden and aWWconMjng of Misses Gwen BowrmgUna Calder Moira Free, Nancy Mathieson Joan Sorensen, and Mona Ward. June Brought the Roses," sung by the same singer, the ballet on this occasion be?ng Doris Aburn Mary Cullen. A»nes Stewart, Una Calder. Molhe Edmondson, Moira Free, Irene Mitchell, and Jean Grant, and "Ukelele Lady W by Miss Neta Billcliffo and a ballet which included Misses Tai Ngata, Gertrude Brown, and Natalie Wood. The '-most popular concerted number was, however, "Waiata Poi,' led by Miss Ngata, the ballet all swinging pois. Tftis was vociferously encored. A balletf which won approbation was that entitled "A Woodland Episode, in which Miss Joan Sorensen was a pixie, A and Miss Gwen Bowrmg a nvmiili; those who assisted the principals being: Misses Daphne Aburn, Una Calder, Moira Free. Nancy Mathieson, Erancv Mills, Lexie Johnson, and Ida -Hosk'ins, Doris Aburn, Margaret McClatohie, Ella Parlane, Grace Stapes, Nancy Taylor, . Hazel Melville, Marv Cullen, Mollie Edmondson. Irene Mitchell, Elsie Staples, Agnes Stewart, Mona Ward, and Natalie Wood. A solo donee by Miss E. Lynsky was another appreciated item. Miss Neta Billcliffe was charming as the seventeen-year-old Nancy. She had quite a difficult role to ail and was seldom off the stage for any length ot time. There was not tho slightest suggestion of stiffness in her work, winch made a very favourable impression on all present. She is vivacious, and, besides being ahle to act, is also able to sing and dance with skill. She made a hit by her singing of several numbers, especially one in which she told of an egg that belonged to "the old brigade." Mr W. B. Harris looked the part of a rum-soaked sea captain, doing all that was demanded of him in finished style. Mr J. R. Lester was priceless as the matron, keeping the fun moving at a rapid pace throughout the three acts. As the boatswain, Mr S. A. Cooper performed creditably and was assisted ably by Mr H. C. Collett, another sailor who had a weakness for rum. Mr E. J. Kelly had a congenial role as Lofty, a part in which he was seen to advantage. His appearance with Miss Billcliffe in the first act was characterised by cleverness. His makeup with Harold Lloyd goggles being in itself a source of merriment. He is an eccentric dancer of no little ability, and with Miss Billcliffe was seen in a dancing effort that was one of the successes of the evening. Mr A. N. McKay, M.P., created much laughter by his representation of one McTombs, M.P., a gentleman, with a red tie who mounted a soap-box and addressed his "Comrades" on the evils caused by capitalists. A good interpetation cf the character of a clergyman was given by Mr C. L. Sheppard, other parts being satisfactorily taken by Messrs T. Archer, L. C. Stephens, G. N. Carrington, and G. H. Hobbs. \eoman service was done by an orchestra, under' the * baton of Mr E. Lomas. Tho ballets and ensembles were arranged by Miss Nan Audibert, and tho incidental music was arranged by Mr E. Jameson. Mr W. B. T. Leete is to bo congratulated on the success with which he carried out his onerous duties as stage manager. The students as a wholo behaved themselves fairly well for such an occasion, although they considered it necessary at times to give advice to those on the stage, to whom they also offered gifts of fruit and carrots. During an interval Studens Rex came forward and made a brief speech. "The Dogs" will be produced for three more nights, and, judging by thecordial reception it was given last night, should have a successful season. The box plans are at The Bristol and day sales are at the Thc-atre Royal sweet shop.