LOVABLE LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 24

LOVABLE LONDON

[By M. S. I’IUM.MKK.] LONDON, May 6. AVE'RE AHEAD. Tills was my first reaction when 1 visited the boasted and much- “ boosted ” Olympia Exhibition, which claims especially to be the last word in model and modern housing. You may hardly believe me when I say that twenty years ago you people in New Zealand were already enjoying, almost as a matter of course, what here we stood for nearly an hour to see—sun-catching rooms, bright bajconies, and verandahs, built-in lurniturc, various electric and gas gadgets. Who among you has not something of the sort? And in addition, no doubt, a bath shower. Not one did 1 see, except some rather clumsy thing that was fixed on to the tap and that you used as a sort of hand spray. All the same, let me give the English builder credit for sliding doors—-much needed in the tiny, almost poky rooms of these model houses—also for waterproof transparent curtains by the sink windows, and the pretty, grained three-ply ceilings. The silhouettes of some of.' the houses, with flat garden roots, reminded one of children’s matchbox buildings—quaint and certainly novel in this million-chimneyed country. * I liked, too, the generosity of many food firms; in fact, an unexpected appetite found itself completely satisfied, and that without any half-forced buy ins after. But how the English housewife adores tinned foods! Is it laziness, lack of time, or imagination, or an almost incredible ignorance of the elementary facts of food values and their necessity for good health? THE “ SEASON ” BEGINS. With the opening of Covent Garden opera, and in a few days of the Royal Academy, we reckon dur Season (with a capital S) to be launched, and already debutantes are working at their curtseys. The Opera House has just been done up so that now it can rank with some of the fam,ous European theatres. New scenery and lighting made even more brilliant the first night yesterday. Of the dresses i will speak later. Let me here rather congratulate those valiant ones who queued up for three days to get a place.' is not so bad as it sounds. What happens really la that you hire a stool or take your' own, pin your name on it, and then saunter off, coming back now and again. Strist" stool etiquette makes your property and position safe. Even so, it is rather an ordeal, especially in cold, wet weather. I cannot imagine the French having such patience, or indeed good humour, as to do this sort of thing. Here, if one of two stands, the other enters into the same place with smiles all round. In Paris you mut be there physically, and that’s all there is to it.

Good! Six* Thomas Beecham. As he was conducting ‘Fidelio, - the usual late ones and whisperers made themselves obnoxious, so he suddenly shouted out to them “ Stop talking.” I hear that he also pointed to an ex-quisitely-gowned and jewelled lady with “ You there.” Anyhow, it had the desired effect, so perhaps he will not find it necessary to stop and give the whole audience a lecture, as he threatens to do. With this annoyance is the other one he is waging war against—clapping in the middle of acts or before the music is finished. English and French: audiences have much to learn from the Germans in this respect. There the Jate-comer is locked out till the end of the overture or scene. As for talking—well, it’s unthinkable.

GORGEOUS GARMENTS. ‘ All the wealth and fashion gather at the opera, so that what you see there is absolutely the latest thing. Three or four notes especially to be observed were first the popularity of feathers, chiefly ostrich. They fell in cascades as fans, or softly billowed round beautiful shoulders as capes. Mixed with chiffon or even taffeta they were certainly handsome, and, of course, dyed to suit-the accompanying gown. Next one noticed another return, this time to sequins. These are certainly effective with some of the newest materials, though too often their glitter is hard, especially when seen against diamonds and other precious jewels. It is a case.of a little going a long way, which is more than can be said of the numerous trains. Yes, they have come at last, and now the dowager scores as she watches with a srnilo her descendant struggling to be graceful, careless, and untorn. Hers not yet is the dainty twist of wrist, but it will come. And where are the very low necks? Some persist, of course, but it is now equally fashionable to be high up in front, even to the throat, with the back completely undone except for the protective ostrich or scarf. This gives the epaulette a chance to show off, so the Duchess of Westminster had fine ones with her stiff purple taffetas, and the Duchess of Rutland’s filmy black tulle had upstanding fans round the shoulders; White or ivory was a favourite colour with elders and with the younger generation, with flowers real and silk as decorations, orchids, too! But on tliese occasions money is no object, A final word to prospective brides. A society girl is having tlie cake to match the colour of her wedding gown. If you think this well over you will see that it is capable of indefinite growth.