THE CARNIVAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1939, Page 6

THE CARNIVAL

BRIGHT OPENING EVENT “DEBUTANTES’ REVUE.” SPLENDID PERFORMANCE IN OPERA HOUSE. With the presentation of the “Debutantes’ Revue” before an audience that comfortably filled the Opera House on Saturday evening, the carnival week in aid of the Masterton Beautifying Society and the Y.M.C.A. was launched very happily. The revue is a first-class entertainment of its amusing and colourful kind. Vocal and instrumental music, dancing, dressing, ensemble scenes, lighting effects, dramatic sketches and other details all touch high standards and there are no dull moments as the revue runs its merry course.

A survey of the programme before the performance opened was a little alarming. It seemed hardly possible that so many items could be disposed of before midnight at least. Thanks, however, to capable stage management and a wise banning of encores, a remarkably full and varied programme was completed at about 10.20 p.m. Applause was, frequent and hearty throughout the evening. The “Debutantes’ Revue” embodies so many attractions and so many artists are engaged in the production that it is difficult to particularise in a brief notice. The ballets, however, are charming throughout, the highlight of the production being the beautiful Debutantes’ Ballet and its accompanying scenes. Miss Dorothy Tate, under whose direction the ballets are presented, has achieved a notable success. In Miss Maureen Nix. the company has a particularly accomplished and graceful solo dancer. Miss Nix was partnered capably by Mr Fred Bodie in a dance duo. A splendid orchestra, under the baton of Mr. T. J. Kirk-Burnnand, made its full contribution to the success of the revue and the chorus also acquitted itself extremely well. Apart from the work of the full chorus, the male members were heard in a number of items of a spirited and dashing kind. Messrs. Ron. Gilbert, John Macpherson, Cecil Torr and Ted Denbee were all heard to advantage as soloists.

A noteworthy success was scored by a Chinese tenor, Mr Leo Chung. His assets are a really fine voice, a gift for unforced humorous expression and an engaging stage presence that won him Whole-hearted favour.

A pretty little duet, of the song and dance order, “It’s Ttjli-Tulip Time,” by Miss B'ebe Francis and Mr V. McTeague was deservedly popular. So, too, was “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs,” in which Miss Patrirje van Praagh was associated with seven Hadlow School boys.

Nothing on the programme of the evening was more popular or was more deservedly and warmly applauded than the songs and dances of the Homewood Macri Parly. The various items were all good, and magnificent verve was imparled to the concluding haka, in which all members of the party combined.

Brief, but witty and amusing sketches are a feature of the revue. Every item in this category was well acted and presented. Those who took part included Miss Rose Robinson, MrS. Peggy Mirams. Mr. J. Lawson, Misses Betty Coleman. Helen Gill, Nina Boddinton, Mr J. Kennedy, Misses Grace Hopkins and Rhoda Burling. Miss Kath Milne apd Mi’ J. Lawson, with an accomplice, put on a thoughtreading act with a most amusing climax. Other items were some highly skilled work on tlie trapeze by Mr Avon Tatton, numbers by Miss Jean Mackay’s accordeon band with a tap dance, some excellent conjuring by “Zara,” character song and tap duo by Colin and Clive Thorne, solo by Marjorie Mackay, and a sailor’s hornpipe by Marjorie Ramsden and June Lynch. Mr J. Slatter brought down the house with a comedy turn in which he had the assistance of Mr V. Greer. At the end of the performance, Mr E. M. Hodder, chairman of the carnival committee, said he had been asked to announce that because of sickness, several members of the company had not been able to appear that night. The management wished to express its appreciation of the sporting action of those who had come forward at very short notice to fill the places left vacant. Among these were Messrs. J. Slatter. J. Kennedy and V. Greer. As his hearers knew, Mr Hodder added, the revue marked the commencement of an effort on the part ol Masterton citizens to assist two local organisations which had been operating for many years—the Masterton Beautifying Society and the Y.M.C.A. The revue would be presented again on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week and he sincerely hoped that there would be at every performance just such another large and enthusiastic audience as there was that night. On Tuesday evening there would be a ping-pong tournament in the Y.M.C.A. halls, on Thursday night a popular dance in the Municipal Hall and on Friday night a cabaret, also in the Municipal Hall. The carnival would conclude with a gala day at the Park on Saturday afternoon and evening next. Mr Hodder said he hoped his hearers would assist by attending each and every performance he had mentioned and by inducing their friends to do the same; also by making it known that direct contributions to tho funds of the two societies would be received by the carnival treasurer, Mr H. M. A. Major, and finally by purchasing a carnival badge and wearing it.