SEILLIANT GYMNASTIC DISPLAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 18 October 1907, Page 2

SEILLIANT GYMNASTIC DISPLAY.

A packed house greeted the New Ply- • mouth United Gymnasium Society last nigh I when the second annual carnival ( was Staged al the Theatre Koyal. Pa- , trons were standing in all parts, and it can honestly be said that the rush for seats was absolutely justified by the The Society lias made considerable progress during the past year, fi'he display last night was even better than last year's—and that is saying a good deal, ltiglit at the outset we must compliment Mr Lints, tile instructor, and the members of the Society upon the -ability, energy, and care evinced in every item upon last night's programme. Some of the items came as a revelation to even those familiar with gymnastics. The lady members of the Society appeared in single and vlouble bar,bell and dumbell drills, club swinging, tableaux, and fancy inarching and drill. It is extremely difficult to

single out any item and say it was the beat, but the spectacular fairy march and fire clubs perhaps caught the fancy most. In these a wealth of color and eccentric flame was splendidly regulated The fairy march, in which the members carried lighted lanterns, and formed all manner of symmetrical figures, was very popular. The tableaux were also capital. The male members produced clever tableaux, trick work on the parallel and horizontal bars, military horse pyramids, dumbel! exercises, and so on. The trick work was of a very high order of merit, every motion being as perfect as anyone could wish. Mr Lints appeared at his best in his club, sceptre, and glass bowl swinging, the latter item consisting of intricate club-swinging, using suspended bowls of water for clubs. Quito "the" item of the evening wa.s the marvellous performance of wee Ronnie Lints, of live summers. Emerging from an "urgent" packingcase, the little mite gave an exhibition

of parallel and horizontal bar work tliat many of his elders would be prou'J of. Tlie Whiteley orchestra, under Mr C. 11. Lawn, supplied sonic frond selections, and Mr 11. Smith played the pian accompaniments. The rapid sta"ing with no "weary waits," was a feature, Mr W. Amburv having chrage as stage manager. What little "delay there whs occurred through the influenza depredations.

MATINEE TO-NTCrTTT. By request, a matinee performance is to bogiven this evening, starting at 7.30. The immediate and unqualified success last night should ensure another packhouse. It's worth it To-night children will be admitted for sixpence; adults one shilling.