Art Students Revel

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 60, 2 June 1927, Page 4

Art Students Revel

ALL THE NURSERY GIANTS WERE REPREI SENTED AT ELAM ART 1 BALL LAST NIGHT. I J

PICTURESQUE COSTUMING

\ SENSE of decorum not usually associated with similar student revels pervaded the Elam Art School’s annual dance last night. As it was only the third of these functions it was evident that Aucklanders are not yet accustomed to frolic with that joie de vivre which so often characterises students’ gatherings abroad. Notwithstanding, Old Man Carnival did hold sway—when he was permitted—despite the fact that Bluebeard tripped so solemnly with Columbine, and Folly meticulously stepped with her Toreador. There were Spaniards and Italians—the Mediterranean, in fact, was particularly well represented—pierettes and pierrots; a particularly dashing Douglas Fairbanks, replete with moustache and smile; Charlie Chaplin waved his cane in merry abandon, quite oblivious of impending alimony proceedings; and pretty INell Gwynne, minus her basket of oranges, enjoyed herself none the less, despite the fact that there was no cavalierly Charles in sight.

An Indian Rajali, regardless of caste, danced with a sloe-eyed Nautch girl; demure and shy, as became her prim grey frock, was a fair-haired Quakeress: Celestials both with and without the insignia of Manchu slavery, slithered through the moving throng; two American “gobs,” their “aspros” on the back of their heads, nonchalantly chewed gum in the timehonoured manner. Picturesque were the senoritas with their gaudy shawls. Attractive, too, was a brown-eyed Hula Girl who danced in sandaled feet. Jackie Coogan, not yet grown up, was another celebrity from the Movie World. His partner was a little variety dancer. Miss W. Simpson, a stately figure in medieval costume, carried off the prize for the most effective dress. Robin Hood, he of the greensward and whiskers, won the same award in the men’s section for Mr. K. G. Simpson. A popular win Avas that of Mr. J. Coath, garbed in all the war-time paraphernalia of “Ole Bill.” This was considered the most novel masculine attire. Miss Luxford, a Spanish dancer, was first in the ladies’ section. The only divertissement during the night were Oriental specialities by Regina Raye, who showed that she could dance attractively as well as pose in the art school. A notable feature -was the collection of decorative posters which approvingly gazed from the walls upon the gaily dressed dancing crowd. Almost all the nursery giants were there, familiar figures from childhood, treated in the true poster spirit, an appeal -which necessarily must be direct. This work of the students was particularly interesting and much admired. Three fantastic figures leaping with all the true “Chauve Souris” abandon, remarkably well drawn, and silhouetted against a bizarre background, occupied one corner.

Rumplestiltskin raised a warning finger ere he passed from sight. Prince Charming affectionately gazed upon the Sleeping Beauty. Father Bear, replete in coat-tails, accompanied by Mother Bear, a Maud Allenesque figure in an appreciably shrinking skirt, and the Little Bear, all viewed the departure of Goldilocks with slight amusement. They seemed to say that it was of really very little interest to them. Bluebeard, scimitar in hand, held his venturesome wife by the throat, surrounded by grisly mementoes of previous matrimonial encounters. Little Red Riding Hood went on her way rejoicing, oblivious of wolves and everything else. The Japanese Emperor, who almost pined away when his nightingale refused to sing after being supplemented by a be-jewelled mechanical bird, was seen rejoicing with the returned wanderer on his wrist. A gruesome skeleton, symbolic of the death which nearly overtook the potentate, grinned at his elbow. Among those present were the following:—• Mrs. Fisher, wearing a charming gown of pink and silver lace trimmed with tiny pink roses, and a scarf and feather fan to tone. Mrs. Ivory, handsome gown of black panne velvet and embroidered shawl. Mrs. Norman Williams, dainty gown of blue and white embroidered cheniPe velvet. Mrs. Rougliton, pale green gown of charmeuse with silver trimming. Mrs. Kernott, charming gown of black marocain and Spanish shawl. Mrs. Keesing, gown of black georgette with gold and silver embossed design. Mrs. Thompson, jade green georgette and silver trimming. Mrs. Wiseman, daffodil georgette trimmed with deep hem of fur. Miss Taylor, lavender georgette, with deeper-toned bands of crepe de chine. Mrs. R. Bruce, crepe de chine gown in self figured pattern. Miss Abbott, gown of black marocain with scarlet motifs and shawl. Miss I. Wright, dainty frock of Nile green crepe de chine, with galon trimming. Miss Florence Longman, hyacinth blue frock of georgette. Miss Sharp, silver-trimmed frock of cyclamen georgette. Miss ' Amodeo, gown of black georgette with silver tissue. Miss Molly Woolcott appeared as a dashing Spanish senorita. Miss Phyllis Ford was a demure little hula maiden. Miss Beryl Ashe chose a charming 18th century costume. Miss Margery Simpson was a captivating Nell Gwynne. Miss M. Coath as a Maori maiden looked particularly attractive. Miss Mary Beattie looked dainty as a very early Victorian in her quaint taffetas gown. Miss B. Bruce typified the spirit of Monte Carlo. Miss King dressed as Danger Signals was a striking little lady. Miss M. Webster as a Persian lady looked very charming. Miss Harrison Smith in her South Sea Island costume made a dainty figure. Miss Lynch was original and chic as Modern Licence. Miss Lewis chose a dainty Spcinish dancer’s toilette. Miss A. Bergman looked a pleasing little piece of Folly. Miss J. Wilkie was dressed in original fashion as an anemone. Miss Benton was a pretty little version of Spring. Miss P. Luxford made a debonair cavalier in her fetching Spanish grandee’s costume. Miss Ruth Innes wore an intriguing Turkish costume. Miss Beckett was a specially charming Spanish lady for the evening. Miss Regina Raye appeared as a sophisticated Eastern lady dressed in beads. Miss Rona Anderson’s dainty gown was typical of the spirit of Carnival. Mrs. Raye as Jackie Coogan was quite “one of the boys.” Miss S. Woolcott was another of the many alluring Spanish ladies.

Miss Blanche Hazelwood’s Gipsy costume was distinctly becoming. Miss Leighton was dressed as ‘THE SUN. in a rather striking dress. Mrs. Eric Ramsden was a very charming fail* Spanish dame with sweeping hat and gay shawl. Mrs. H. E. Gillespie was a petite Spanish gipsy lass. Miss June Berry as the Queen of the Harem would have enchanted any SulaSiiss Edna Clayton wore an effective Venetian ensemble. Miss Nancy Miller as Confetti was very charmingly dressed. Miss Phyllis Reid was another of the many attractive Spaniards present. Miss Zena Woolcott Avas a chic Russian dancer. Miss May Smith Avore a becoming Punjabi lady’s robe. Miss Kernot as a French doll Avas particularly * chic. Miss Molly Simmons’s Jazz Pierette Avas refreshingly original. Miss Mountain represented a very modern AAmitress. Miss M. Simpson Avas demure and shy in her little Puritan gOAvn. Miss Thornhill Avas a dainty and gav Ja Mr P A. re Smith made a commanding Punjab gentleman in his attractive .. . what does one call it? . . suit? robes? costume! Mr. Sam McLaren looked a very Avily Chinee in his striking suit. Mr. Eric Johnson was a Golliwog that Avould scare all the other nursery toys to death. Mr. Bob Beattie Avas indeed a braAv and bonnie Highland laddie. Mr. Mouat’s Ragtime costume must have taken hours to make. Mr. Murdoch appeared as a Rajah in a very striking costume. Mr. T. Wrigley was a precocious little Mother’s Darling. Mr. T. Young succeeded in looking rather like Charlie Chaplin. Mr. G. Mountain looked a very dashing Red Jacket. Mr. Coath as Old Bill Avas a huge success as Old Bill. Mr. S. M. Williams looked a particularlv fearsome Blue Beard. Mr. H. Wells Avas an old .Avorld French Peasant. Mr. Overton Avas another of the gay Spaniards. Mr. F. D. Otley Avas a typical, hobo in his rough and ready rig. Mr. H. M. Alexander was a gorgeous Chinese mandarin. Mr. R. Boyes looked almost completely nautical in his yachtsman’s hat and accessories. Mr. Beetham Avas a sturdy Maori chief, Avithout the scars of a thousand battles. Mr. J. S. Ash was dressed as a true to life Sheik. Mr. P. R. Osborne AA-as a flowinglyrobed Arab.