GIRLS IN TROUSERS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1930, Page 7

GIRLS IN TROUSERS

BARE LEGS BANNED:

COMMAND VARIETY SHOW.

LONDON, May 22

Tlio difficulties of arranging a variety show to the liking of iierMajesty Queen Mary were explained-to a “Daily Herald” representative by a harassed Palladium official. Ho said the‘show would be a high-speed aifair without (bare legs.

“We have to remember what the Queen likes—and, more important, what she doesn’t like,” he said “There must be no bare legs. Of eoiirse, usually the Palladium girls 'never wear tights. You’d be surprised what expensive items they are. So for Thursday they are to have long trousers; in their first number a clown get-up, and in their second a replica of our page-boy suits. “At .(the Palladium Mr George Hl'!elf has introduced high-speed methods that accord with modern times. There is a glass plate in the centre of the footlights, Each turn is allotted so much time. When the turn should bo finishing, the words ‘Due minute more’ appear on the glass, If the artist does not stop the tight flickers till he tides. We are to have all new 1 Scenery,” he went on. “Mr Frederick Stafford, the artist, . can tjlliy paint to music, He has a gramophone by him while he works, When we hear Stravinsky we hope the result won’t he so modern that the scene-shifters won’t know which way up to set the wingl ; “The royal Ibox has all been redecorated. The other boxes have been sold for 50 and 100 guineas, and the stalls for five guineas each. We get a warning before the royal'party arrives. Then the vestibule must lie cleared of everyone except the reception committee. The red carpet must be down, the smd in the road, the detectives in and around the building, and all the audience in Iheir seats. This will be the eighth of thc s e special performances, and they have realised -.£20,000 for the Varietv Artists* Benevolent Fund.”