MILLENNIUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 42, 12 May 1927, Page 12

MILLENNIUM

THE MINGLING OF NATIONS PAGEANT AT THE TOWN HALL From the roseate mists of The Roof of The World come the nations of the earth. Trooping, they come in bright raiment, singing the songs of their people, and dancing. They are young and beautiful, proud to belong “to the proud old pageant of man.” One might suspect that this is the introduction to the golden years of the Millennium. And so it happens to be, though it is only make-believe. The peoples of the earth, that is, a selected number of the most presentable, came together in joyous concourse at the Auckland Town Hall last night. They danced and sang and played and so entertaining were they that the rest of the world which sat and watched them said aloud “This show is worth twice the money.” And the players themselves, for it must be admitted that they were only acting, might have made much profit out of their performance, which is excellent, had they not decided to give all to the babes of Auckland.

“A World PAgeant” was the ambitious title of the presentation given for the first time last night in aid of the Auckland Plunket Society. Ambitious it was, also, in scheme and scale and the 500 girls and boys, men and women, carried it through gracefully and efficiently. Put aside the idea that you are going to a “charity show.” Carrying a potential reward in the hereafter,

“A World Pageant” is a real entertainment, standing firmly on its own feet of amusement value. It is worth seeing and hearing, a blending of Russian ballet theme with the music of voices.

The Town Hall stage might be thought to have disadvantages for this kind of production, but the directors have raised an Olympus above the steps and concealed the orchestra behind a verdant bower, so that in the final ensemble, when all the nations pay appropriate tribute to Britannia, there is a marvellous mass of colour, an effect which many a musical comedy might envy. But we have begun with the final act. The curtain, though there is not one. rises on “The Days of Frills and Furbelows” as pretty a courtly measure as one could wish to see, and there follows “An Old English May Day” in which the pupils of St. Cuthbert’s are delightfully folkish. Scottish reels, prim Welsh maidens and choristers, “St. Patrick’s Day” in old Ireland, put the British Isles on the list, and then come the charming “Brittany Peasants.” Something completely “out of the box” is

“Mauluulu Faa Samoa,” a remarkable demonstration of the chanting and rythmics of the islanders. Perfect time these people keep in their fascinatingly graceful movements of limbs and the fluttering of hands. Norway, Sweden, Eskimo-land are presented in pleasing sketches, the dances showing the instruction of experts. Gorgeous Russians whirl in a mazurka and the Southern darkies turn out in the original “cakewalk,” a humorous affair. General holiday is declared in Spain for the occasion. Of New Zealand there is something excellent —“A Maori Hakere” by boys and girls of native colleges. The pois flutter in expert hands and the hakas come with a rhythm and feeling unapproachable by even “The All Blacks.”

Old Japan, of course, is represented by dancing maidens. In aesthetic value the “Ancient Greek Orchestric Anthem” by Grammar School girls stands out. To a floral festival come the Grecian maidens in lemon and pale mauve in the dim light. This is beauty. At the door the audience was offered a box. It was not for contributions. The public is asked to vote for the best “episode” which will be given a prize of £lO. “A World Pageant” happens to-night and to-morrow night.