WEMBLEY TATTOO

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12605, 16 November 1926, Page 7

WEMBLEY TATTOO

. COMING TO WELLINGTON BIG MILITARY ATTRACTION JO BE STAGED DURING ROYAL VISIT It is announced that during the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to Wellington in March next a grand naval and military tournament and searchlight tattoo -will be staged at Newtown 1 Park on a scale not previously attempted in New-Zealand. The tutoOj which lias been promoted by the National Defence League of New Zealand as the result of the remarkable success of the “Citizen Soldiers’ Pageant,” held in 1024 will comprise the leading features of the Wembley and Aldershot military tatooes held last year, the uniforms, costumes, banners and effects having been specially hired for the purpose from London at a cost of £IIOOO, and being now on their way outj to New Zealand. The Wembley military tatoo is commonly acknowledged as having been the greatest success of the exhibition, having been pronounced by the London Press as “being without question the most artistic and inspiring spectacle that has ever been staged in the British Isles.” • v •» * STIRRING ITEMS The chief items of these tatooes,* which will be reproduced here, will comprise “First Post” by 20 buglers

and 100 baudsnnyr; a tantare of searchlights with coloured lenses, etc.; physical drill display and musical double; plaiting an illuminating Maypole by 40 Hussars in full dress uniforms as worn at Aldershot; marching and coun-ter-marching, with torches and searchlights, by massed bands; a musical drive by the R.N.Z.A. in 40 full dress uniforms as worn at Wembley and Aldershot ; evolutions and revolutions with coloured torchlights by specially trained troops; a modern buttle scene; exact- reproduction, each night of tho notable fireworks display given at the -Aldershot military tatoo; dancing by Highland pipers; and the great finale of the Wembley military tatod entitled, “Soldiers of the King.” ' in this celebrated finale, the most stirring feature of the exhibition, appeared soldiers in uniforms throughout the ages paying homage to the brilliant figure of St. George, and daring the staging of which special choirs sae«i the hymns. “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “Abide With Me.”- While this latter hymn was being sang, and in which the whole vast concourse of people at Wembley invariably joined, a pale blue light lit up groups of crosses standing among the red poppies of Flanders fields, which appeared at a distance. • 9 * * PAGEANT OF QUEENS In addition to .‘other impressive items to be staged will be the “Historical Pageant p[ Queens,” in which will appear “Britannia” and five of our famous queens of the past with their maids and Women in costumes of their respective periods. These queens wait, Boadicea, Berengaria (Queen of Riehgrd, the Lion Heart, who went with- him on the Crusades), Margaret of Anjou (who fought for the Crown of her husband, King Henry VI., and of her son during the Wars of the Roses), Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria (early in reign). These will parade with the soldiers of their respective periods, forming a very fine pageant. Contrasted with the last pageant, held ,at Newtown Park in 1924, the forthcoming tatoo, it is claimed, will he in every way superior. Not only will there be double the number of uniforms and costumes, all historically correct, but the whole of the operation orders having been obtained from London there will be impressive ceremonial and continuity of action throughout. Other notable features will be the fireworks display each night, fine lighting effects, and the music for which Wembley is famous. The dates for the holding of the tatoo ' will be from February 26th to March Bth inclusive, a total of five evening performances being staged. The dates thus coincide with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, who will be here on March sth, 6th and 7th. * * * » As upon the previous occasion the tatoo will he preceded by the holding of a queen competition, the queen candidates and their maids using the historic costutnes ordered from England. The Wellington executive comnrises Lieut,.-Colonel N. fi. Falla, C.M.G., D.S.O. (chairman). Sir. Alexander Roberts. K.B.E. Messrs W. .T. Blundell, S. A. Longuet. E. G. Pilcher. E. E. Muir, Majors F. E. Greenish. .7. L. Rounders. W. Miles, D. 5.0., M.C., R.N.Z.A. A'-ster of the Pageant), and N. McD. Weir, N.Z.S.C. (bon. military secretary). The tatoo will also be held in Auckland in January, and in Christchurch at the end of March. Tn both t*iese centres strong local executives 1 --nve been formed, and queen eompca* ions are in progress.