TO-NIGHT’S PAGEANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 13

TO-NIGHT’S PAGEANT

UNIQUE AND COLOURFUL A unique and spectacular entertainment is assured to all who pay a visit to the Town Hall this evening when the great all-nations pageant will be staged. This magnificent production is one of the most picturesque and varied attractions ever put before the people of Auckland. Over 450 girls from the Diocesan High School, St. Cuthbert’s College, the Girls’ Grammar School and the Y.W.C.A. will take part and will be seen in 16 quaint and colourful tableaux. Mlny of the costumes are most elaborate and are accurate representations of the national dress they typify. A rare feature will be the Samoan episodes by Samoans living in Auckland and others who have made the voyage to Auckland expressly to participate in the pageant. Some of the songs and dances in which they will appear have never been given in New Zealand before. These include the knife dance, the flower dance and representations of the rites performed at the great national festival of the islands. Another interesting item is promised in the cake-walk by a troupe costumed as Virginian negroes. Music characteristic of the nation

or period represented will accompany each scene. National festivals such as are still observed in many European coimtries will be presented, with an equal variety of national and old-world dances.

It is hoped to raise £I,OOO for the reduction of the mortgage on the Symonds Street headquarters of the Plunket Society.