"DER TAG"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 8

"DER TAG"

YIC'fOHIA COLLEGE STUDENTS' CONCERT. That the bright spirit of invention has not been crushed from (he mind of thn Victoria College student by 'swot, ami other serious obligations was amply, demonstrated in the thoroughly delicious extravaganza "Dcr Tag, or the Path ot Progress," staged at great in great excitement before a packed audienco at the Grand Opera Ilonse last evening. To those who could see with tin- eyes of youth and hear with Uie cars of the same, the pity is that it was only a one-night show, a regret profoundly shared by the students themselves,' so excellent was the'foohug, so elaborate the dressing, and so daring the skits on people and things in the public eve. "Der Tag" was divided into a prologuo and four days. the prologue was a tilt at (lie "wowser and (he four experts who would cure all social malformations by education, with Mephislo scowling in the middle distance to give tho loud "Ha! Ha! I? their heavy apostrophes. The first episode was "The Spartan l Day, the scene "outskirts of a bush near J auhereniltau," from whence the Spartans, clad like so mailv Tngolnars, tramp musically "over the top" lo Trentham, whero they are inspected by a Spartan, Lord Liverpool (amusingly burlesqued by Mr. A. .1. Mazengarb'. The bare-legged .soldiers, after a gaiglo parade, were wailed over by flieir women folk, and finally dispatched war-ward in a shower of confetti "The Medieval Day" saw the scene-shifted to Koine; a tragic scene, in which Professsor Hunter, in .animated effigy/ is burned, for his ultra-radical sins! at the stake. At least he, ilad in spotless white, and, full of argument, is about to be offered to the flames, when [Professor Adamson, in "braid Scots pleads in legal phraseology for the l»e of his misguided friend. All jn vain. Tho faggot; is lighted, the-form is led to the fire, and then tho proceedings are stopped bv un emissary of Hie Minister of Public .Health. Again Hie puppets move, and it is "The Present Day," and the scene tho gilded hall in Bellamys, with Sir James Allen presiding at a welcoming banquet to his friends, tho Earl: of Pnkekolic and Baron Bluff. The trouble commences. Deputations burst; in upon Iho festivities—returned "empties," wlwsing that "Another bit of land wouldn't do us any harm"; gowned professors who require increased salaries, and a mob of workers, led by "'Any 'OUand,'' who protest against "tho earth being the. J/irds and the fulluess thereof the landlords.' " But there .no moro peaceful demonstrations by "Geneo" and "Pavlova" and their dancing partners, and au exhibition of hypnotic bunkum by .Kun Low, neatly burlesquing a recent fiasco in the gentlo art of epoofmg the public, a skit which raised shrieks of laughter, 'finally tho banqueting hall is invaded by a horde of murderous Bolshoviki, who slay all hands In llio.acconipaniment of a joyous chorale. "The"Coming Day" dipp.cd fantastically into an ultra, aesthetic fiitnro peopled ivith sartorial atrocities, who burst, into dulcet harmony with little or no provocation. On this scene of pence burst Wilson, Llovd George, and Clemenceau ill their light birch canoe, and after liberating' tho dovo of peaiT' (au aged hen of uncertain mind) "swanked" about how they did it and why.

The list of performers (sixpence at the door) is too long to particularise, but all wore competent; in theiv allotted roles, and worked well for general effect. The entertainment opened with I lie hoary old "Gaudeamus'' Chorale, which was followed by the Collego song, and during such limn as tho "camouflage" was being upplied by Iho performers, the sludents in llm audiloi'ium kept Iho interest alive with wittily-writtfen choruses set io popular tunes. The orchestra and chorus wero conducted by 11 r. .l'\ P. Wilson; Mr. •!. Beaglchole presided at the piano; Jlr. H. I). (J. Adams was sla<*e manager; Mr. K. Evans producer; and (he costumes, very charming and daring by turns, were designed by Miss 31, Richmond,